Brandon R.

General Info

• Certified Music Teacher

  Certified Music Teacher

  Our rigorous hiring process requires a completed application; an interview with our professional recruiting specialists; personal and professional reference checks; and annual criminal background checks for the duration of each teacher's employment with us.

  
• Background Check Complete

  Criminal Background Check

  In order to ensure the safety of our students, all teachers undergo a thorough criminal background check, which includes: Social Security number trace, multi-state criminal search and a nationwide sex offender registry search.

  
• Levels: Beginner to Advanced

• In-Home Lessons: Yes
• In-Studio Lessons: Yes
• Ages: 5 & up

Subjects Taught

Drums, Percussion

Education

Roosevelt University at Chicago - Percussion Performance - 2010-2011 (not complete)
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Percussion Performance - 2006-2010 (Bachelor's degree received)

Specialties

I have MANY specialties as I have performed and continue to pursue many styles/genres as a professional percussionist and educator. I have played at the University and Professional level with orchestras, opera/musical pit ensembles, jazz bands/combos, percussion ensembles, new music ensembles, rock bands, steel bands, Balinese gamelan, as well as with the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps. I'm confident that my experience can help you achieve your goals in ANY of these areas!

Lesson Details

After spending many years (and a whole lot of money) on my education, I have come to realize that a strong fundamental foundation is the key to success as a percussionist. I have been fortunate enough to attain a well of knowledge from some of the best players in the world including: Ed Harrison (Principal Timpanist of the Lyric Opera of Chicago), Vadim Karpinos (Percussionist/Timpanist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra), and William Moersch (world-renowned marimba virtuoso and freelance ... percussionist). By combining the lessons learned from these professors and others, I am able to provide students with a complete curriculum that draws from the best ideas and techniques of all my wonderful teachers. The result is a comprehensive learning experience that immediately fills in all the gaps in knowledge that took me years to acquire; an advantage that I am all too willing to share!

Lessons are tailored to each student’s individual needs/desires and can include but are not limited to any of the following areas of study:

• Concert/Rudimental Snare Drum
• 2/4 Mallet Marimba and All Keyboard Instruments
• Drum Set, All Styles
• General Orchestral Percussion Including “Toys” (Tambourine, Triangle, Castanets, etc.)
• Multi-Percussion
• Basic Latin Hand Drums: Congas, Bongos, Timbales (You must provide your own instrument)

If you have any questions or concerns, please DO NOT hesitate to ask and I will get back to you as soon as possible. I look forward to hearing from you and hope to help you achieve all of your musical goals!

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About

Hi! I’m glad you found my page and are interested in exploring your musical passion. As a percussionist, I have been fortunate enough to perform all over the state of Illinois and across the country and want to provide every student with the tools to allow them to do the same. Playing and performing percussion has been my life’s devotion and I hope to give you the same great learning experience that has seen me through to where I am today.

I graduated from the University of Illinois ... at Urbana-Champaign in 2010 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Percussion Performance and have completed Graduate Studies in Percussion Performance at Roosevelt University in Chicago. I currently work part time on the music faculty at Metea Valley High School in Aurora, IL as percussion instructor and work with the Marching Mustang Drumline/Front Ensemble as well as the Percussion Ensemble and Steel Band. My prior teaching experiences include working as a drumline instructor at both Oswego High School (Oswego, IL) and Okaw Valley High School (Bethany, IL). In addition to my duties at Metea Valley, I teach privately in Oswego District 308 as well as in Chicago and the surrounding area.

As previously noted, I have extensive performance experience at both the University and professional level, having played with numerous ensembles, including orchestras, opera and theater companies, percussion and chamber ensembles, steel bands, Balinese gamelans, the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps, and more. I reside in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Chicago and maintain an active performing schedule, playing most frequently with my rock bands, The Cortlandt Homes and Sisero.

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