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.
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Levels: Beginner to Advanced
In-Home Lessons: Yes
In-Studio Lessons: Yes
Ages: 5 & up
Subjects Taught
Drums, Guitar, Percussion
Education
The Evergreen State College - Creative Arts & Expressive Arts Therapy - September 2008 - June 2010
Berklee College of Music - Drumset Performance - September 2010 - June 2011
Specialties
I specialize in rock drumming; I have extensive experience studying Gary Chaffee's methods, as well as the Moeller Technique and playing styles pioneered by Steve Gadd. I have studied many books cover to cover, such as: Stick Control by George Lawrence Stone; 4-Way Coordination by Marvin Dahlgren; Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer by Jim Chapin; Studio and Big Band Drumming by Steve Houghton; as well as many other books by drummers such as Buddy Rich, Garwood Whaley, Bob Moses,
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Stanton Moore, and Tommy Igoe. I am well versed in the following styles: Rock, Jazz, Funk, Fusion, Hip-Hop, Latin, and Classical.
Lessons with me will be simultaneously fun and challenging. My interest is in helping the student reach their musical goals while also helping to expose them to new techniques, styles, and musical concepts. I am in no way a strict teacher, but I do take my work very seriously; if the student wants to work hard and learn fast, I will meet them on that level. Similarly, if the student wants to take it slow and focus on one thing at a time, I will move at their preferred pace. My curriculum is
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based on my years of private study with professional drummers such as Kenwood Dennard and Dean Johnston, as well as my studies at Berklee College of Music. I have a large book collection that I use in lessons, ranging from reading texts to technique books to songbooks. Regardless of skill level, I always focus on forming a solid foundation as a drummer, which includes: sense of rhythm, musical ear, reading/writing skills, and technique. Beyond those core elements, I base the curriculum based on what the student is interested in. After 3 to 6 months studying with me, the student can expect to have made significant progress towards their musical goals, and to be having fun in the process!
Mickey began drumming at age six and has been busy making music ever since. As a young kid she studied concert snare drumming and jazz drumming with Matt Gordy, and later moved on to study rock, funk, and world music with Boston legend Dean Johnston (Superhoney, Club d’Elf). She simultaneously pursued her interest in songwriting by learning to play guitar, piano, and to sing and record songs onto a 4-track tape machine. At the age of 16 she decided to get her GED instead of graduating high
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school, and subsequently moved to Olympia WA to attend The Evergreen State College at age 17.
While at Evergreen, Mickey studied everything from creative writing, book making/letterpress, farming, and music therapy. Her primary focus was studying the ways in which creative arts can be used as a tool for personal transformation. Through this work her interest in teaching music began to grow, and for the past three years she has been teaching private drum lessons with students of all ages.
After two years at Evergreen, Mickey transferred to Berklee College of Music in Boston to return her focus to drum-set performance. While at Berklee she studied with drumming masters such as Kenwood Dennard, Dave DiCenso, Sergio Bellotti, and Rich Greenblatt while also continuing to take private lessons with her long-time mentor Dean Johnston. She gained experience in ensemble playing and performing, while also studying music theory, ear training, arranging, and music production. After completing one year of studies at Berklee, Mickey decided to take time off from college to pursue further experience in teaching music and gigging around the Boston music scene. She is currently drumming for local bands Plumerai and To The Wedding, and gigs with many other local bands at venues such as Middle East Club, Precinct, and other venues in New York City, Philadelphia, and Raleigh NC. She is passionate about helping students to gain the technical and creative skills to expressive themselves on their instrument.
