Key Of Rhythm Studios
About
I teach lessons at my home studio in Eagan, MN.
With 24 years spent behind a drum set, a Bachelors degree in music performance, and 11+ years of teaching/performance experience, I provide professional and engaging drum lessons for all ages and skill levels.
With a proven method, my students have gone from having no musical experience to confidently playing along with their favorite songs, reading music off the page, and performing in bands!
My students enjoy their lessons so much that my average student takes lessons for 2 years. 63% of my students continue with lessons for at least 1 year and 30% of my students stay with me for 3+ years.
Fun, encouraging, and patient, I build great relationships with all of my students. I always work through material at whatever pace is needed for the student to succeed.
I love sharing my passion for music and my knowledge about drums with my students. Watching my student have that "light bulb" moment in lesson, and seeing the accomplished smile form on their face never gets old. I love watching shy/cautious students come out of lessons with a new found confidence.
Specialties
Able to read music
Musical styles
Years experience
Types of drums
Lesson length
Student's age
Student have drums
Photos and videos
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I like to spend the first lesson evaluating what the student already knows. Depending on the skill level of the student we move on to working through material to improve the student's reading, coordination, and groove vocabulary. Once the student is ready we start learning songs.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have been a student of the drum set for 24 years. I have worked professionally as an educator and performer for the past 10+ years. I have performed in many original bands, church worship bands, musical theater pit bands, recording projects, and traveling groups.
I graduated Summa Cum Laude from McNally Smith College of Music with a Bachelor's in Percussion Performance. While at McNally Smith I took two classes on pedagogy (the study of teaching). I began teaching immediately after graduating in the spring of 2014.
I have had great success taking students with no musical knowledge and turning them into skilled drummers. I have also had success working with students who have prior musical knowledge and helping them to further develop their skills.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My lesson length and corresponding price is as follows:
30 min lessons - $34
45 min lessons - $44 - Most Popular
60 min lessons - $54
New students receive a 50% discount on their first lesson.
How did you get started teaching?
While in college I discovered that I loved to teach other people how to play the drum set. After graduation my first professional job as a musician was teaching drum lessons.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have taught students anywhere from 5 to 60 years old. Most have started with no musical knowledge, others have played in bands and some have music degrees on other instruments.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I am happy to announce the release of my very own drum set method book!
Making a Drummer: A Grab-and-Go Curriculum for Drum Set Instruction was released in March of 2021. I worked on this book since 2014 and am so excited to finally have it finished and printed. Find out more at my website store!
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
I strongly suggest you look for a qualified instructor who is going to teach the student more about music than just how to play songs. Knowing how to read music opens so many doors for the student to further their musical education and ensures that the student is knowledgeable about MUSIC and not just about rock beats. We drummers are musicians too, after all.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Figure out what the student's goals are. Do they want to play in a rock band? Do they want to try out for jazz band or marching band at school? Do they want to volunteer to play at church?
Is the student willing to put in the effort to practice each week? Often, students get frustrated because they aren't progressing in their study. When asked how much they practice each week they say "only a little". Progressing with an instrument is fun! In order to progress, they need to practice.