South Bay School Of Music Arts

South Bay School Of Music Arts

5.0Exceptional(14 reviews)

About

I teach a technique and style that will serve young students through adults. It is a method whereby kids can play in their school bands, marching bands, concert bands and drum set without radically changing the fundamental technical skills that can cause confusion in their school bands. I have two drum set in my studio for drum set lessons as well as 3 iPads as teaching tools, plus a computer. I also teach percussion at Cupertino Middle School. I also teach at Miller Middle School since 2011. I, also, taught for 20 years at Milpitas High School. I want my students to have 'fun' while working hard to improve their skills. Drumming has also been proven to be effective on the part of the brain used for developing math skills. This is true for music in general. I would be glad to offer you a trial lesson at our mutual convenience.

I have been teaching for decades, literally. I love it and I teach 7 days a week. I went to San Jose State and studied Percussion with Hall of Fame percussionist, Anthony Cirone. I have been voted Best Teacher, Best Music Teacher, Person of the Year for Marching, Commendations from the City where I teach, as well as other awards.

My students are stand outs in their band programs. Currently I feed students Lynbrook High School, Homestead and Fremont High School. My younger students participate in Honor Ensembles, including NorCal and All State Honor Bands. My drum set players are always being asked to perform at their School's Talent shows and musical productions.

But, these lessons are about YOU or your child and what I can do to help them achieve their goals and drumming dreams

I love working with kids. Their enthusiasm for learning our instrument inspires me to be a better teacher. Seeing my kids progress while having fun is a joy. Helping them to become better players, especially in their school programs, always makes me proud. To me teaching is not what I do but it is who I am.


Highlights

Hired 1 time
1 employee
40 years in business
Serves Milpitas , CA

Payment methods

Cash, Check, Venmo, Paypal, Zelle

Specialties

Able to read music

Student can read sheet music, Student can read percussion notation, Student understands note durations and rests, Student can't read music

Musical styles

I can make recommendations, Classical, Blues, Jazz, Rock, Folk, Country

Years experience

No formal training, No formal training; some self-taught experience, 0 – 2 years experience, 2 – 4 years experience

Types of drums

I can provide recommendations

Lesson length

30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes

Student's age

Under 5 years old, 5 – 10 years old, 11 – 13 years old, 14 – 18 years old, 19 – 25 years old

Student have drums

Student already has drums, Student is planning to purchase drums and would advice

Reviews

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HH

Hung H.

Teaching experience! Joe, as a long time educator, knows how to explain and demo the drum lessons to my two kids. Not just technical issues, Joe also motivates them into learning drum. Highly recommend!
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July 23, 2020

H

HG

My son has been taking drum lessons with Joe Santoro for the last six years. Over the months and years we have seen tremendous improvement in his drumming abilities. Joe is an excellent teacher. He has been such a positive influence in our sons life. He genuinely cares about his students and wants to see them succeed.
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July 21, 2020

PC

Peimin C.

My son has been taking drum lessons with Joe for the last 2+ years. Joe is very patient with kids and he applies his good sense of humor whenever he interacts with kids. He praises my son for job well done as well as points out areas when more effort and practices are needed. Joe is very easy to work with and accommodating whenever we have to move a lesson time due to our scheduling conflict. I recommend Joe wholeheartedly to any parent who has a child interested in Drum/Percussion lessons.
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July 20, 2020

NF

Neil F.

Joe Santoro has been teaching my son, Andre, Drums and Percussion lessons for more than 3 years now and it has helped him with his school band from his Middle School years, and now continuing into High School. He has been performing with confidence and excellence, thanks to the lessons, performance coaching, and life lessons that Joe has instilled in him. Joe is very passionate in his music instructions and this reflects so much on my sons ability to play drums and perform with so much fun and confidence. Five stars are not enough to rate Joe because he gives more than 100 percent to his minions.
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July 20, 2020

TN

Thai N.

Mr. Joe Santoro by far one of the best music instructors that I have the opportunity to work with for my 8 years old daughter. She started at 6 and in the 2 yrs period not only she enjoys playing drums but I can see her confident also improves tremendously. Mr. Santoro is well organized and present his music materials very cleverly to help improve my daughter basic techniques. Mr. Santoro is also very patient and funny at time which help so much with my daughter’s lesson. She enjoys her practices and is looking forward to all of her lessons because of her awesome teacher. We love him dearly for his teaching passion and strongly recommend for any one looking into percussion instrument
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July 20, 2020

JL

Jo L.

Joe is very flexible to work with, he knows how to help kids to improve their skill and is one of those teachers that makes you want to come back! Great teacher, my kids like him a lot!!
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July 19, 2020

Frequently asked questions

First, I want to student to get comfortable with me and my sense of humor. If they are a beginner we start on fundamentals using a metronome. If they have experience then I ask them to play for me and then we will proceed from there.

Lots and lots and lots of experience and the ability to 'listen' to students when they talk and respect their opinions. I want to get to know my students and to be of value to them in areas other than music, if they need or want that. I have received awards for my teaching. I currently teach at Miller Middle School and Cupertino Middle School. Before that I had spent many years at Milpitas High. I have been able to build solid percussion sections at all of those Schools.

There is a $15 registration fee. My tuition is $150 per month for one private lesson per week or 4 per month. Each lesson is 30 minutes.

I was recommended to tutor a young drummer and then it took off from there. I started when I was 17.

All levels, all styles...mostly beginner to intermediate students. Many of them perform in their school bands, which I recommend.
Every time a student plays well is a joy for me. Also, I am fond of the Concerts where my percussion sections played well.
Pick someone that makes you feel comfortable and is willing to help you with your needs.
Any question that pops in to a student:s mind is a question that should be asked. If you are comfortable with your teacher, you can ask questions that, sometimes, have nothing to do with music. Tons of questions will come up during the process. Don:t be afraid to ask them.

Services offered

Drum
Xylophone