Aside from being mostly self-taught, learning the fundamentals, and playing drums since he could hold the pots and pans, Henri is an experienced, focused teacher and musician who really enjoys seeing students achieve their goals and desires musically. He is a goal-oriented individual with a versatile background and a relaxed, "let's have fun while we learn" attitude. Henri believes music should always be fun and inspiring for everyone, no matter what skill level. FUN is always the focus, because if you are not having fun, why are you doing it?

Henri Benard also has experience touring both nationally and internationally with several award-winning Arizona-based performing groups (Dry River Yacht Club, Peachcake, and Traveler are the current projects), performing shows in 39 of the US States, as well as festival performances in 2012 in Canada (NXNE w/Flaming Lips, Raekwon, Of Montreal, Bad Religion, and Unknown Mortal Orchestra) and Norway (Slottsfjell Music Festival w/New Order,...

I am Modern Drumming Professional with 14 years of experience, instructing since 2008. Currently, I perform around the Valley with a professional Jazz Trio. My repertoire and experience also extend to Progressive Rock, Reggae, Pop, Dance, and Country. In pursuing my BA in Jazz Performance, I've been honored to study under the finest award winning drummers in Arizona. Teaching, for me is a great way to be a positive influence and share my passion for music with others. My goal is to help the student to develop excellent skills, technique and study habits to attain their goals as fast as possible.

Teaching drums for over 13 years, Aaron has influenced hundreds of budding musicians to get the most from their instrument. He has studied privately with Rob Laytham (Modern Drummer columnist), Joe Leroux (marching guru), Gary Chaffe (legendary drummer) and many others throughout the years. He has taken the best techniques and teaching styles from his influences and molded them together to form what he considers to be the most effective and inspiring method available.

I teach drum set in nearly every style and hybrid imaginable, as well as percussion and drum circle facilitation.

Accomplishments include recording 7 albums with various groups, touring with national acts across the west coast, drumming for the Warner Brothers Television house band, and playing countless live shows (152 shows in 2007 alone).

Music has been Derek’s life from a very young age. He has played saxophone, piano, and percussion for over fifteen years. Derek has studied drum set, classical percussion, and rudimental percussion under many teachers and with many ensembles, including: The Arizona Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, The Arizona Wind Symphony, The Ambassadors of Music Throughout Greater Europe, The ASU Steel Drum Band, The Arizona Regional Band, The Corona del Sol WGI World Percussion Ensemble, as well as many drum set and percussion “for-hire” sessions.

Derek is quickly emerging as a go-to drum set player around the Valley. Currently, he is performing at various venues throughout the greater Phoenix Metro area with the successful indie band Love, PALMS. While together for only one year they have played well over 80 shows, including the 2012 Apache Lake Musical Festival, Gumptionfest, The Oak Creek Music Festival, as well as four separate showcases during 2013 SXSW Music Festival in Austin,...

Al P. (Powerman 5000-Martin Sexton-Cypress Hill-Everlast-Lance Lopez-DYS) is a multi instrumentalist, educator, composer, producer, drummer-music director. Widely known as co founder-drummer for DreamWorks recording artist and multi platinum selling rock group Powerman 5000 (1990-02). His rock solid beats are deeply rooted in the long history of the art of drumming.

Bio:
Hailing from Pittsburgh, Pa. and educated at the prestigious Trinity College of Music, London (Pgh. center), Al served as external examiner teaching music theory and drums in private and ensemble settings at the U.S. center in Pittsburgh, Pa. from 1984-86 and further studies at Boston's Berklee College of Music, receiving a BM in Percussion Performance in 1992. Al is also a graduate of The Recording Workshop, Chillicothe, Ohio (music production & engineering program) Protools, Cubase, Reason, analog/digital recording techniques, editing, mixing, programming and sound design.

Al has performed or recorded...

My name is Lou S., and I come from a family of Drummers. My Father was a Master Drum Instructor and taught my Uncle, Brother, me and over 2800 other students in a teaching career that spanned more than 40 years.
As the youngest in the family I had the opportunity to learn from my Dad as well as my other family members. My structured lessons started at the age of 5 and by the time I reached high school I was booking my own band and performing weekly at local clubs and events.
There was a certain amount of pressure growing up in this environment. After all, if you’re the teacher’s kid, you’re expected to be good, right? This is true, but the way my Father taught and how he inspired me was to be sure I had my own identity. He was not making clones, he was teaching the ART of drumming, and like any artist all of his students were encouraged to be themselves. This is a lesson that continues to mold my teaching style today.
My hard work paid off, and soon his students...

Travis is a music educator that enjoys teaching and performing. He has a lot of patience and feels proud that all of his students can say they have excelled at their instrument throughout the duration of his instruction. With much experience teaching students of all ages,needs and skill levels he focuses specifically on the most important skills and concepts a student needs to be able to play proficiently and musically. This is accomplished through the use of proper technique and providing clear information of the fundamentals.

Travis has been involved in numerous playing situations throughout his schooled training. Studying under great industry professionals has helped him to be well versed in all styles of music and make him a well rounded player and an exceptional teacher. He has performed in a number of different groups that include many diverse styles of music and has performed, toured and recorded with various artist in the mid-west and on the west coast. Now,...