Drum Lessons

Teaching Location

I am on the faculty at The Third Street Music School Settlement on the Lower East Side in New York City. I have taught there since 2000, giving individual and group lessons. In addition to drum set, I teach hand drums, and I lead a drum circle class that meets weekly. The school calendar year runs from September to mid-June, and I am there four days a week, Monday through Thursday. I am also available on a limited basis to give lessons at student’s homes, please contact me for scheduling information.

My Philosophy

The experience of teaching for the past fifteen years has helped to shape the way I approach working with students. I have learned that each student can have unique needs when it comes to learning. I am highly perceptive and I make it my priority to recognize and work with these needs. The mission of my teaching is to guide, encourage, inspire, and support the student as they discover their own individual Path To Rhythm. It is most important to me to help the student cultivate and develop a balance in their relationship with music, drumming, and life.

Population

I have worked with students of all ages and experience levels. It is not uncommon for a student to start studying with me when they are in elementary school and continue until they graduate high school. I have also taught and mentored students at the college level. Many of my former students are teaching and playing professionally. Click here to see more about these students. Whether they are playing professionally or  for their own enjoyment, the majority of my students continue to play drums into their adult life.

Curriculum

The components of a drum lesson are broken into parts. Technique, timing, reading, and rudiments are at the core of each lesson. As the student advances, more material will be introduced, and we move deeper in to drum set grooves and different musical styles. Because of my extensive musical training and performance background, I am able to offer the student the information that they need to be able to practice and master the instrument. Each student is given a practice routine that works for their schedule. This is constantly changing and adapting to their needs to support them in succeeding and feeling a sense of accomplishment.