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
Conservatory of the City of Vienna - Drum Set Performance - 1991-95 (Master's degree received)
Academy for Music and Performing Arts in Vienna - Percussion Performance - 1986-92 (Master's degree received)
Specialties
All styles and genres.
Lesson Details
What the student learns very much depends on his or her attitude, but I do try to convey as much information as possibly using a very personalized approach, suited to each student's needs. Some might require a bit more guidance and gentle pushing, others will react to humor and a more laid back attitude. In the words of the legendary Sly Stone - "Different strokes for different folks."
About
Hi there,
Let me introduce myself, my name is Thomas a.k.a. Casual-T, and I'm a pretty alright kinda guy :) I am a professional drummer and have been teaching drums for a good many years now. I also write music for television and movies. Over the years I have had students of all shapes and sizes, my youngest student was about 5 years old, and my oldest was in his late 50's. I have a classical educational background, but I'm mainly performing in musical theater and with club date bands in
...
and around New York City these days.
What I'm looking for in a student is first and foremost enthusiasm. As long as you are interested in learning I am interested in teaching you. So if you are looking for an experienced teacher who is fun as well as informative, and who has been an active professional in the music business for many years, call me and we'll talk.
Experience: Live Pop/Rock/Hip-Hop/Gospel (as a drummer): Performances with countless bands throughout Europe and the USA since 1990, including Marva King, Bomb Circle, Tera, Partners In Kryme, Josh Dodes Band (VH1), Philip Clark, Caleb (Universal Records), North, Brother Love, Toni Blackman, E. C. Scott, Kim Loren, Charlie Superfly (feat. On Howard Stern), Foster McGinty, Nervous System, Moe Isaac, The Drown, Phoenix & After Buffalo, John Putnam, Parkchester Baptist Mass Choir, FIT Gospel Choir, True Praise Gospel Choir, Bethel A.M.E. Mass Choir, Michelle Citrin, Noon@Nite, Vienna Conservatory Big Band, etc.
Live Musical Theater/Classical (as a drummer): Chicago (Broadway), Spring Awakening (Broadway), This One Girl’s Story (NYMF), The Legend of Julie Taymor (NYC Fringe Encore), Urinetown – The Musical, Like You Like It, Elektrafire (NYC Fringe Festival), Dreamgirls, Little Shop of Horrors, Rent, West Side Story, Elton John’s Aida, Bye Bye Birdie, Fame - The Musical, Songs for a New World, Performances with orchestras and chamber music ensembles throughout Europe since 1986, including NOVA Philharmonic, Pro Arte Orchestra Vienna, Amadeus Ensemble, NO Tonkuenstler Kammerorchester, Klangforum Wien, Stadtkapelle Tokyo, etc.
Studio (as a drummer): Recording with ensembles and bands since 1990, including NO Tonkuenstler Kammerorchestra, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Bomb Circle, Tera, Jesus Chrysler, Machine Wash Cold, Heavenly Boob, Evolution, Rudy, Mr. Karl, Buddy & the Huddle, Jason Kraut, Marc Goodman, The Drown, Phoenix & After Buffalo, We Make Music, etc.
Teaching: Private lessons since 1993, Toni Braitner's Drum City (one of Austria's foremost Drum institutions) from 1994-96, Director of the LaGuardia Community College Percussion Ensemble (LGCC New York City) 1999/2000, School of Rock 2011-present
Education: 1991-95 Conservatory of the City of Vienna (Austria) 1995 M.A. in Contemporary Drumset Prof. Walter Grassmann (Joe Zawinul, Art Farmer) Prof. Anton Muehlhofer (Vereinigte Buehnen Wien) Prof. Fredvard Muehlhofer (ORF Symphonic Orchestra)
1986-92 Academy for Music and Performing Arts in Vienna 1992 M.A. in Classical Percussion Prof. Horst Berger (Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra) Prof. Kurt Prihoda (Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra) Prof. Wolfgang Schuster (Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra) Prof. Gerald Fromme (ORF Symphonic Orchestra)
Additional Education: Gene Lake (Me'shell Ndegeocello), JoJo Mayer (Screaming Headless Torsos), Kennwood Denard (Berklee College of Music Faculty), Neboja Zivkovic (Marimbaphone Soloist)
