About
I have taught hundreds of students for nearly a decade from as young as 6 to 60 and have played the drums for twice as long. I teach using 3 points of focus. Theory and notation, learning songs of increasing difficulty and freejamming, which is a students opportunity to try new things and explore the instrument on their own. Only with all 3 of these can a drummer become a well rounded musician. I believe that with these 3 points of focus and my tough yet inspiring teaching style that everybody can learn this amazing instrument and I take great care to explain the history of the drum, all the way to it's most valued present day uses. There are so many genres of music and the drum is necesary in all of them from the spanish styles of music that need patterns like the Bossa Nova to the Soca all the way to Jazz and the infamous swing and shuffle beats.
Every moment! I enjoy pushing people, inspiring them and giving them the help they need to succeed with this amazing instrument!
Reviews
Zach S.
David T.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
The first thing I will always do is get a sense of their musical knowledge. Even if its minimal or near zero everybody knows somwthing about music. Even a 5 year old more times than not will recognize a note when I draw one on the white board :-)
Then onto the basics about holding the sticks properly and how to push on the pedal with the foot and we're off!
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
- 9 years of teaching experience.
- 22 years of playing.
- 15 years worth of experience working with children.
- 15 years experience working with individuals with special needs.
- hundreds of songs learned and covered live
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$50/hr if I'm coming to you
$35/hr if the student is coming to my studio in Easton.
How did you get started teaching?
in 2011 A friend of mine who knew I played drums asked if I taught lessons and I never had before but she said because we were friends she trusted me to teach her. It was all over after that first lesson, I realized this was my passion and I wanted to teach more students!
What types of students have you worked with?
- As young as 6.
- As old as 60.
- Individuals with special needs including autism, down syndrome and cerebral palsy.
- I have developed specific teaching methods for all of the above student types as well as for each student as an indivisual with their own unique passions and style of learning.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I had a yound student, around 5 years old come in for a lesson who had never played drums before and though he needs to learn the basics of playing the drums, when I asked him to play along to a song (for fun) his timing was perfect! If you know anything about drums you know that timing is everything and his mother told me later that he listens to music all day. This is why! He had developed in only a few shorts years a perfect ear for tempo! As a teacher I love those wow moments and do whatever I can help make them happen :-)
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Get ready to work hard and have fun!