About
I have been playing drums professionally for 15 years and am passionate about playing as well as teaching. I have an extensive background in jazz, rock, funk, as well as various other styles and know how to teach technique and rhythmic concepts from the ground up. I am a full time musician and constantly performing with the various projects I'm part of as well as freelancing and teaching privately and being a clinician.
I have always loved teaching. Sharing my passion for what I do and seeing it come alive in others is really exciting. There are a lot of amazing players and not all of them are great teachers, but I really pride myself on my ability to communicate concepts and meet students where they're at. Music is a powerful force and I love seeing people be able to tap into that.
Specialties
Able to read music
Musical styles
Years experience
Types of drums
Lesson length
Student's age
Student have drums
Photos and videos
Reviews
Daniel F.
Alicia K.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
First I assess what their goals are and we take it from there. Every student is different so it's certainly not a one size fits all type of mentality. I have a curriculum for completely new students, but if someone has been playing for a while then it's important to meet them where they're at. I also put a lot of emphasis on common building blocks and components of drumming so even if we're working on a specific song, we work on the fundamentals of what leads to the parts along with the parts themselves.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have been teaching privately for 12 years and have learned a lot throughout the process. I have also gone into schools to coach the drummers around the bay area as well as teaching a clinic on melodic improvising at the jazzschool in Berkeley. I have also studied with master teachers and learned both the content of the lessons as well as their approach to teaching so well.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
30 min- $40
45 min-$55
60 min-$70
How did you get started teaching?
Even as a kid I always enjoyed sharing what I was passionate about with people and seeing them get it. In high school I would teach privately and also work with the other drummers in band if there was something they were having trouble with. I then got a formal position at a music school when I was 21.
What types of students have you worked with?
I've worked with students as young as two years old all the way up to senior citizens. Some students are complete beginners and others have extensive experience but want more guidance or particular expertise. My goal is to inform and inspire people all the way from complete beginner to quite advanced.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Last year I was able to teach a melodic improvising workshop for drums at the jazzschool in Berkeley. I loved getting to show some of my concepts and how I approach them from a more advanced perspective. The workshop focussed on getting more music out of less content and developing themes, which is something I'm very passionate about and often overlooked on drumset.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Be ready to put in effort. Be curious. Different aspects of drumming all influence eachother so you may find a lot of use in working on/learning something that's not part of your normal routine.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Who are your some of your musical idols? What do you want to learn about? What are some things you've seen that you've always been interested in but thought you couldn't do? What are your strengths and what are areas that need working on?