Philosophy

Music is a great way to express yourself – a way to let your own personality come through the music – any music. No matter what style you enjoy, the basics of playing the piano are the same. Once those fundamentals are learned, you will find yourself able to explore any genre you desire. The world of music opens up to you!

Experience/ Education

My experience is as diverse as my musical tastes. I began taking lessons as a teenager and also began taking music courses at my local community college. I learned about theory and composition. I worked as a musician, learning to play on stage, learning to play by ear. All through this I continued to study the piano and my musical tastes grew from rock and pop, to blues and jazz and classical.

As a performer I worked throughout the western United States, playing a wide variety of venues: night clubs, concert halls, college campuses, casinos and everywhere in between. I have done live television and radio...

I have been playing drums for 12 years, and been singing since childhood. I am currently a senior at McNally Smith college of music, working on finishing a Bachelor's degree in Music Production. I have performed with country, Latin, funk, hip-hop, jazz, and rock bands in a variety of rolls, and am well versed in many instruments and styles. Currently I am working with a hip-hop/funk group, a country group, and a nine-piece rock band called The Human Empire that I am very proud of.

In addition to my ongoing musical studies, I have been teaching individual and group lessons for a little over 10 years. The largest group that I ever taught at once consisted of more than 60 students!

I am a 26 year old drummer with 17 years of experience spanning all genre's and styles of music. Countless hours of stage performance with bands. A love, drive and passion for music and drumming you won't find in any other instructor! Multiple studio recordings both behind the mixing board and behind the drum set. 7 years of teaching experience, realizing the importance of setting a unique curriculum for each student tailored to fit each individual's goals and interests. I have been involved in bands ever since middle school, starting with rock, and moving on to perform in country bands, hip-hop performances, indie rock bands, and progressive rock bands. A strong knowledge of jazz techniques and music theory as well as the ability to read drum sheet music make me a perfect instructor for any student.
I have had many beginner and intermediate level student's and have become proficient in determining what skills each individual student needs to work on as well as helping students...

Mr. Dirk T., Music Instructor
Dirk T’s love for music began at a young age. He received private music lessons from the age of ten and his interest in music only grew from there. He was awarded music scholarships from the Fountain of Pembroke Pines Certificates of Achievement and later received his Bachelor of Arts in music in 2001. He has studied with musical greats and opened for some of the biggest gospel artists. 1990-2001 Cardinal Hayes H.S New York City , Notre Dame S.S Graduated O.S.S D Ontario, Canada, Royal Conservatory of Music Toronto, Canada Graduated July 28, 2001 Bachelor of Arts in Music Specializing in Church Music) Florida Memorial University, Miami, Fl Continuing Education, Florida Atlantic University. Mr. T. has been awarded Certificates of Achievement from FMC Dean’s list and President’s list, Prayer Tower Foursquare for work with youth choirs. Honors – Graduated Summa Cum Laude, Florida Memorial University with a GPA of 3.9 and a Cumulative GPA...

Harold was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. His musical career started at the age of 15 playing drums with local bands. Years later he graduated from the University of Puerto Rico where he was mentored by recognized Puertorrican musicians Javier De la Torre and Samuel Morales. During his college years he studied percussion, composition and music technology. Harold was part of the University of Puerto Rico Jazz Ensemble. He is founder and drummer of the jazz group Mixolydian Jazz Quintet where he performed regular public concerts and festivals as well as jazz competitions. Being a part of this group gave him the opportunity to expand his musical knowledge making musical arrangements for the group and taking the role of producer in their recording sessions. Harold has participated in the recognized Berklee College of Music Summer Camp in his native Puerto Rico where, in the year 2007, he was named Outstanding Musician by Berklee College of Music granting him the Puerto Rico...

I began playing the drum set at age 8, and started playing guitar and piano at the age of 12. I played percussion throughout my public school years and studied Jazz drums with Ed Balsamo during that time. As a Junior in high school I was a member of the SCMEA All-County Jazz Band, The Nassau Suffolk Performing Arts Jazz Band and its Jazz Ensemble. My senior year of High School I was selected to play with the NY All-State Jazz Band, and later that year I was chosen to be in the All-Eastern Jazz ensemble.
I attended SUNY Purchase for Jazz Performance and had the privilege of studying with John Riley, Richie Morales, Kenny Washington, Jon Faddis, and Todd Coolman.
While At school, I gained a stronger understanding for the theory and technique behind piano/guitar playing. I am available for Piano lessons at the beginner level and guitar lessons at the beginner/intermediate level.
In addition to my Jazz experience I have continued to perform regularly with my rock band The 4th...

I started playing the drums at the age of ten and have been playing for over thirty years. I played snare drum and bass drum in symphonic band in junior high and high school. I played in the Drum and Bugle Corps while in the Air Force. We marched in parades and won several awards for excellence. I have played in three Christian bands and one rock band. I have also played drumkit and percussion in church for several years.

This real world experience of playing with live musicians in different settings allows me to show students what does and does not work well with playing the drumkit. Whether you have dreams of playing in a touring rock band, playing in church, or just jam out with your favorite songs, I can help you reach your drumming goals.

Hello! My name is John, and i live, eat and breath music! I have performed all styles of music from rock, pop, folk, blues, jazz, classical and whatever else may be in between! Atop that, I am also a songwriter who's recorded several albums, both of my own songs and as a hired musician on other artist's recordings. I have a bachelors degree in music from Molloy College in Rockville Centre NY, and an associate's degree in music as well from Nassau Community College in Garden City NY.
Though my degrees and work in college was focused on classical guitar technique, I also possess a strong influence from and a passion for rock, pop and folk music. I find this beneficial to my students because I am both capable of teaching them genres that they find enjoyable and relevant to themselves and what they personally enjoy musically while also giving them a further understanding of the "what, how and why's" of music. In short I make learning music both an enjoyable experience and an...

I was born in Caen, Normandy, France.

I studied drums and percussion and obtained a unanimous first-prize at the Seine Saint-Denis drums competition. I also attended workshops under the direction of great drummers such as Max ROACH, Clifford JARVIS and Jack DeJOHNETTE.

I performed in virtually in every major jazz club in Paris (New Morning, Duc des Lombards, Sunset, Petit Opportun, Manhattan Jazz Club, Sunset), in various Jazz Festivals and I also played in Germany and Italy.

At the same time I started teaching regularly in four conservatories (Arcueil, le Pré-St-Gervais, Epinay Sous Sénart and Chevilly) for more than 10 years until I moved to New York. I taught private lessons for drums and percussion, and also numerous workshops for kids, teens and adults.

After a lesson with the legendary Jimmy COBB in 1992 during a visit to the United States, I decided to move to New York. I was finally able to do so in 2000, and I have been living and performing here since then.

My students are always shown that playing the drums are downright fun. Every time I sit at the kit, I still feel like a little kid who finally gets to hit 'those big things on the stage,' and that enthusiasm is imparted to everyone I teach. Music encompasses all aspects of art: expression (improvisation), entertainment (performance), craftsmanship (technical skill), and enjoyment (having fun). Nobody should miss out on any of these, and a positive attitude helps students be eager to work hard and achieve their goals.

In 6 years of intense degree work, I earned my B.M. and M.M. from two of the most highly acclaimed jazz programs in the world, Oberlin Conservatory and the Manhattan School of Music. Studying with living legends has given me not only information but perspective on music, something not many receive. History and knowledge of the music and the instrument are strengths of mine, and they are balanced with correct technique that transfers to any style.

Don't let the...

Hi! My name is Mike C. and I am excited at the prospect of teaching you or your child.

I absolutely love to teach, but not just because of my love for the drums or my life-long appreciation of music, but because of my enjoyment of people and the learning process itself. I feel that this is important to mention, because if I didn’t enjoy what I did and take pride in working with people, then my teaching skills, curriculum, and experience would mean nothing. As anybody who has played a musical instrument can attest to, learning something new is difficult, and having a patient teacher who enjoys working with people is mandatory.

Throughout my life, I have had the opportunity to study with some amazing teachers, including Carmine Appice (author of “Realistic Rock” and drummer for Rod Stewart, Vanilla Fudge, Cactus and Jeff Beck), Jason Lingle (Berklee School Of Music), Keith Harris (drummer for The Black Eyed Peas) and Lee Nichols, to name a few. My experiences with...

Hi! My name is Al! I've been playing drums for about 11 years now, I started playing at the age of 12 when my parents bought me my first drum set. Since then drumming has been my life, everything from playing in numerous bands, drum competitions, private teaching, and National US Tours. Leaving my home town of Brownsville, TX behind, I moved out to L.A Summer of 2008 to attend the Los Angeles Music Academy, where I received my Associates Degree in Music Performance. I currently teach private lessons and I gig around town with various artists. I have lots of musical knowledge that Iv'e obtained by studying with LA's Top Drummers. I'd love to pass down my knowledge only to benefit you in your drum learning experience. If you're just a beginner, only want to take lessons for fun, or more advanced. My lessons will help you get where you need to be! I look forward in meeting all of you! All the best! :)