Chris M.

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

Education

Berklee College of Music - Performance/ Percussion - September 1989 - May 1993 (Bachelor's degree received)
Tesst College - Design - January 1999 - May 2000 (Associate degree received)

Specialties

Snare drum rudiments, traditional and matched grip emphasis on developing good reading skills for snare and drumset. Drumset styles include, Rock, Prog Rock, Metal, Fusion, Jazz, Latin & Funk. Double Bass Drumming, Polyrhythms, Odd Time Signatures and Linear grooves.

Lesson Details

Chris has been teaching professionally since 1995. As a drum instructor, he enjoys the process of watching students grow and develop their talents on the drums. He likes to tailor each lesson to what the students want or need. He is well versed in different drum set styles such as Jazz, Rock, Funk, Fusion, Prog, Metal, Punk & Latin music.
Snare drum rudiments, proper technique and reading music are some of the basic skills that are covered. Beginning to advanced drumset independence, ... Double Bass Drumming, Odd Time Signatures, Linear Funk Grooves and Polyrhythm Exercises are more technique based studies that help the students grow to their potential and help tap into their own creativity.
Of course all the studies in the world won't help if it's not applied the right way. Being able to groove with feeling, playing in time and with a natural swing is one of the most important elements that is stressed with each student.
Chris always tries to be clear and informative of any drumming topic covered. He is a very easy going and patient teacher yet he expects a reasonable commitment to the drums in order for the student to get the most out of their rhythmic potential.

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About

Chris holds a Bachelor's Degree in Performance from Berklee College of Music. He started playing drums at an early age and began studying seriously throughout his high school and college years. Chris has always had a love for all types of music whether it be Jazz, Rock, Metal, Punk, Prog, Fusion, Classical or Latin music...he has been influenced by some form of music and rhythm. This is why he has built his career around performing, recording and teaching.
After attending music ... programs in high school and gigging around the Northern Virginia and D.C. music scene Chris began studying with Bill Richards (Navy Band Percussionist) as he attended NOVA community college's music program. Chris then moved to Boston and started at Berklee College. Additionally, he was able to get some lessons from drum master Gary Chaffee (world renowned teacher and author of the Patterns series of books) who really opened his mind with his approach to the drum set.
While living in L.A. Chris furthered his studies alongside top drummers Chad Wackerman (Frank Zappa, Alan Holdsworth), and Dave Weckl (Chick Corea, Mike Stern).
After moving back to the east coast, Chris still performs and records nationally and internationally with various groups in the 'prog rock' scene. Chris is currently a member of Puppet Show (Prog Rock Records) based in San Jose California, and Baltimore's own neo prog band Iluvatar (Kinesis). Also, Chris played on Oblivion Sun's (Prophase Music) debut CD for which he was mentioned in Modern Drummer Magazine (March 2009 edition). He can also be seen around the Baltimore and D.C. music scene with cover bands like Into The Sun and The Dave Demarco Band. Chris is proud to be endorsed by Aquarian Drumheads.
Some of Chris' influences include, (not in this particular order): Gavin Harrison, Mike Portnoy, Jojo Mayer, Morgan Agren, Terry Bozzio, Chad Wackerman, Vinnie Colauita, Dave Weckl, Neil Peart, John Bonham, Tony Williams, Billy Cobham, Simon Phillips, Lenny White, Steve Gadd, Gary Novak, Thomas Haake, Aaron Spears, and a ton of other drummers who can't fit on this page !
Currently, Chris offers drum lessons out of his home studio, located in Perry Hall just outside of Baltimore MD. and teaches students of all ages. Chris has a life long passion for music and enjoys sharing what he has learned throughout the years with others.

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