Chicago Drum and Percussion Instructor helps you or you child in understanding the world of rhythm

About Me

I was born in Mexico City but was raised in the city of Chicago. I began playing drums at age 13 and was mostly self taught until my senior year of High School. That year I attended the Merit School of Music studying with percussionist Doug Brush. I went on to attend Roosevelt University’s Music Conservatory, studying classical percussion under percussionist Ed Harris and then transferred to Columbia College where I was able to study with drummer’s Frank Donaldson and Tom Hipskind, ... drummer/percussionist Ruben Alvarez, and drummer/vibraphonist Jarrett Hicks.

While attending Columbia I performed with several of the jazz combos, the vocal jazz ensemble, and contemporary music ensembles such as the R&B and the Pop Rock Ensemble. My junior year I performed with the Latin jazz ensemble at the conservatory of Puerto Rico and participated in clinics with artist in residence Eddie Gomez and Luis “Perico” Ortiz. Other clinics that greatly influenced me during my time at Columbia were those from amazing artists such as Stefon Harris, Terrence Blanchard, Giovanni Hidalgo, Jon Faddis, and Ignacio Barroa. Fall of 2009 I graduated cum laude from Columbia Colleges Music performance program.

I have been performing professionally since the age of 17 all around the Chicagoland area and have played a variety of styles ranging from straight ahead and Latin jazz, to rock, pop, funk and R&B. In 2007 I was given the opportunity to do session work for Christian artist Jorge Rivera and tracked drums and percussion for his full album “Ha Llegado El Tiempo”. I performed with Latin soul fusion group Soul Latina as the house band at restaurant Rumba and had the great opportunity of performing the cast party for Hollywood production “Nothing Like the Holidays”. I have also worked as a sub drummer for groups such as The Gun Show, Common Shiner, The Northern Skies, and the Baby Wants Candy improv comedy musical.

Currently I perform with chameleon band Music Republic which also doubles as a backing band to solo artists such as Taroniah Rice, Seth Rogan, and many others, the Ben Joseph and the Mathematics band, and lead the Jorge Jazz Trio that performs monthly at the Julius Meinl Coffeehouse at both the Southport and Lincoln location.

Lesson Details

I like to set specific goals for a student in order to help establish the foundations necessary to become proficient as a drummer or percussionist. However, I also like to cater lessons to the students specific goals. Whether the goal is playing in a garage band, working through concert band or drum line repertoire, or beginning the journey towards becoming a professional musician, I set lessons based on these goals and through music styles the student prefers to focus on.

For ... every student I like to focus on creating a solid foundation of technique, coordination, independence, and musicianship. Creating an understanding of rhythm that should not only be physical, but mental as well. Reading music is key towards understanding rhythm, and towards continuing a students education while the teacher is not present. I do this through specific exercises that I have come across in my career that have helped improve my own playing at different stages of my development. I also stress making practice fun through the use of simulated performance. Play along tracks help the student apply what they have learned in a performance setting without the fear and nervousness involved with a recital or concert.

Jorge has been a Chicago private music instructor for TakeLessons since 2010. Jorge is a certified local music teacher.

How It Works

Lessons are paid for in advance and purchased through our monthly or quarterly plans. All plans come with our 100% Money Back Guarantee. We accept payment via credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover), debit card or electronic check.

Monthly Plan

Schedule and pay for lessons on a month to month basis. Lessons are paid for and scheduled on the 25th of every month.
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Quarterly Plan

Purchase 12 lessons upfront and receive your 13th lesson for free. Over the course of a year, you receive a month of free lessons!
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Pricing

Lesson rates vary depending on the length of the lesson (we offer 30, 45, 60, and 90 minute lessons), and the actual location of the lesson (we offer lessons in your home or our teacher's studio). Lessons are paid for in advance by Visa, Mastercard or Discover. Sorry, no cash.

Please call 877-231-8505 for details.

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Availability

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S. Kostner Ave.

Teacher Studio | Details »

Equipment:

Studio in the Basement containing: A Tama Rockstar Fusion 5 piece kit A Grestch Catalina Bop Kit 4 piece DW practice pad drum set An array of Snares in varied sizes An Array of Cymbals in Varied sizes and models (Z customs, K customs, etc) LP Classic II series congas (Quinto and Conga) LP Classic II series Bongos PA System

Travels within 5 miles | Details »

Equipment:

I can bring a light practice pad drum set, practice pads, books and exercises. I can bring a snare, congas, bongos, and auxiliary percussion if the lesson requires. I can also bring a laptop with play-along tracks and 2 sets of noise reducing headphones. If a student is studying drum set, congas, or bongos, I would expect them to own their own instrument for practice purposes.

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