Hacienda Heights, CA Percussion Lessons

und you and your goals......not mine!

*** Lesson Details ***
Ultimately, my goal is to make sure you enjoy yourself and want to keep coming back. In that process I will make sure you get results.

I am laid back and very patient. Two qualities I feel are necessary to be successful in this field.

I design my curriculum for each individual. This is because everyone has their own goals, there own level of ability, and their own needs as far as how to get there.

Locations:
1) Rehearsal Studio is my rehearsal studio. I have a full drumset, PA, guitars, and amps available at this location.
2) Apartment is my apartment in Hawthorne. Students are welcome to come here but we have limited options for instrumentation here. Practice Pads, hand drums, and acoustic guitars are the only options at this location.

*** Studio Equipment ***
5 piece Yamaha Drumset with Zildjian Cymbals. PA system. Amps, Guitars, and Keyboards.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I have acoustic guitars, a practice pad, and a djembe. I expect my students to have their own drumsticks and, ideally, their own guitar and practice pad or drumset.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in rock/contemporary & marching band style percussion/drums. I also specialize in folk style guitar and bass.

udent.

Teaching Philosophy -

My teaching philosophy is built on well rounded communication, explanation and examples. So, that a student can truly understand and learn a topic, surrounded in a very humorous, light and supportive environment.
Along with being provided good information, a student learns better and feels more motivated to learn when there is a balance of positive support and confidence building accompanied by constructive criticism and examples/information that can help a student assess what ever walls they may be meeting in their musical growth.

I understand that all students/artists have different goals they wish to achieve. So it is very important to me to accommodate each individuals needs and wants to help them grow in the fields they wish too; However, In that I have played music for a long time, I understand there are certain things that a student may not have been exposed to yet; It is important that while focusing on a students artistic goals they respect and are open to the suggestion and guidance of their teacher.

I truly believe music has an amazing influence on the world and has the ability to change peoples way of thinking. Therefore, I try and keep an open awareness to all music, so that I can understand all different musical languages utilized to communicate to people, and I don't believe I will ever know them all. I hold it to attention to influence my students somewhat similarly so that they can shape the landscape of how we communicate musically in the future.

I also try and be very patient with my students. Knowing that when I feel rushed, it makes information more difficult to comprehend, remember and allocate. I love watching the gears run in my students head, so I try and provide information that pushes a student but is within their abilities.

HUMOR is very important. I like to break people out of their shell by telling a joke and hopefully getting one back, so they feel more comfortable and free. One of a Artists worst enemies are nerves. Keeping things light-hearted and maybe even a little small talk can be very helpful to a students development and growth on a topic. After all, Art is meant to be fun and we should enjoy every moment of it, in fact we should enjoy every moment in life period.

I understand music requires focus and discipline and I have certain expectation of a student to understand that and practice. You can't buy chops, you can't buy music theory etc. you can get help but eventually your the one who must understand it and play it.

I am here to help you. Based on what I know and what I have extensively studied, I will do all that I can to help you achieve your musical goals. I am here to answer your questions and help you grow. I love teaching because I love sharing knowledge; As long as your seek it, it is here for you. Otherwise, I'd still love to hear some jokes.

Education -

MUSIC
_Bachelors in Music - 2016 - Guitar Performance (Musicians Institute, CA)
_Associates in Music - 2011 - Guitar Performance (Musicians Institute, CA)
_Major in Music - (Academy for Visual and Performing Arts) - 2008
_Garden of Angels - 2003 - Performance Academy

DANCE
_Krump, Pop-n-Lock - 2012 - (Xtreme)
_Break Dancing - 2011 - (Fun.Krew)
_Traditional Brazilian Dance & Samba - 2014

MARTIAL ARTS
_Capoeira - Current - (Capoeira Batuque with Mestre Amen)
_Wing Tsun - 2013 - (Johnny from the Emin Boztepe School)

ART
_Graffiti - 2011 - (Fun.Krew)
_General Art - 2008 - (AVPA)
_Painting - 2003 - (Garden of Angels)

Much Love,
Azuri Zen M.

*** Lesson Details ***
I'm very disciplined but am also very light hearted. It's important for me to assess things seriously, so that one can understand a topic or piece of information.

I generate my lessons based on the individuals needs and therefore draw from various curriculums, sources and examples, such as : MI curriculum for ear training, Theory, Single string Technique, Reading, Rhythm guitar, Ted Greenes Chord Chemistry, Berklee Guitar Method, as well as The Real Book, other artist books(Eric Clapton, etc.) The Guitar Players Hand Book, Bach pieces and self developed curriculums, relative to the topic at hand and students personal goals, amongst many others.

-Beginning students within three months of consistent lessons should have the ability to solo and playing chords to songs that they are interested in and songs provided in the lesson along with a basic understanding of the major scale and its relationship to all of the diatonic music.

-intermediate students should have an elevated understanding of scale and chord patters along with the theory that explains modal relationships and use of these concepts.

-Advanced students should learn all of diatonic scale shapes and modes assuming they don't already know them in which case their specifically situation will be assessed

-Professional students I expect to have specific questions therefore where they grow should be largely subjective.

Overall, in a short amount of time on a scale of 1 - 10 I expect to in three months at-least elevate a students musical abilities one full point if not more.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Studio in home in private room with guitars, amps, piano, and seating.
Em's studio is family owned cafe with studio in finished basement with an office, recording equipment, and teaching space for acting and guitar.

*** Specialties ***
As a Musician I try and play as many styles and be proficient in as many as possible and therefore can play most. However, in the fields of blues, jazz, funk, flamenco and Latin I excel.

Derron Johnson, Doug Lunn, Ron Stout, Rob Whitlock, John Pisano, Fred Katz, Gloria Gaynor, Jeff Kashiwa, Vinnie Falcone, Massamba Diop, Casio Duarte, and Dylan Wilson, among many others. Kris has been hired for many different types of gigs including a variety show where he had the pleasure of performing with the host, actor/comedian Jason Alexander. He currently plays regularly with  John Heussenstamm from The Surf Punks, which is a burning trio that includes Baba Elephante.
      Kris has a mastery and expertise on his instrument that stems from his vast amount of experience. It enables him to enlighten students with instruction that can encompass many styles of music. Because he has great depth and wisdom, a student having difficulty with any aspect of their playing can consult with him, and Kris will instantly produce a methodic strategy to get the student on their way to solving the issues, allowing them to continue to evolve. Kris was on the faculty at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood from 2001 to 2013. There he taught the double bass drumming class, the odd meters class, afro-cuban drumming class, caribbean drumming class, jazz drums class, rhythm section workshops, live playing workshops, applying technique to the drum set class, music reading 1,2,& 3, fill fest (drum fills class), funk, r&b, and hip-hop classes, as well as open counseling, and private instruction.
Kris has studied privately with: Luis Conte, Peter Erskine, Jeff Hamilton , Joey Heredia, Jimmy Branly, Gerry Brown, Wally Snow, Roy Burns, Peter Donald, Joel Leach , Karen Ervin, John Magnussen, Brian Kilgore, Rob Carson, Les De Merle.

*** Lesson Details ***
The lessons are tailored to the goals of the student. Fundamentals are taught within the context of the styles of music that the student prefers. As the students skills and knowledge increase, his exposure to a wider palette of musical styles will increase. Styles taught include: Rock, jazz, funk, r&b, pop, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, Caribbean, classical-symphonic.

*** Specialties ***
music, drums, percussion, music theory, voice, song-writing
Rock, Jazz, Pop, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, Caribbean, Classical-Symphonic
Vibraphone, marimba, mallet keyboards, symphonic percussion, Latin percussion-hand percussion, music theory, jazz improvisation, rhythm section workshops, vocal technique, song writing-production.
"I adapt my methods to the student, but I particularly enjoy teaching the Murry Spivak/Wally Snow method, which is a highly specialized method of classical snare drum training which can then be applied to many other styles, including drum set. I can also teach a drum corp. approach".

occurs, I switch gears and move on to something else. In my opinion, if a student is getting very frustrated it is generally best to relax and try a different exercise or beat. If we can't enjoy ourselves then what is the point?!

*** Equipment ***
I expect a student to have at least a pair of sticks and a pad. Eventually they will need a metronome for practicing and if they are serious a drum-set at some point. If you'd like to learn hand percussion I recommend having a hand drum of some kind.

*** Specialties ***
The styles I teach are Rock, Jazz, Latin, R&B/Hip-Hop, Funk/Soul, Reggae, Folk/Indie, Metal/Hardcore and World Rhythms. I teach from the heart and develop a natural feel for my students. I also use multiple books mixed into my teaching.

ge, different techniques/approaches will be taught. I generally try to make each lesson true to an actual musical experience in which the student can take what they learned home or to the stage. Focusing on the fundamentals is key to growth and independence in music. I'll work with each student individually on what they need to, what they want to learn and enjoy.

After a few months of practice, students will be able to play complete songs and grooves, they will be able to keep solid time, and will have developed basic tools to improvise and solo.

*** Studio Equipment ***

Two drum sets, PA, recording equipment, upright piano, amps for guitar and bass, instruments and ear protection headphones.
The space is used for recording and rehearsals and is sound isolated.

*** Travel Equipment ***

I can provide all instruments I teach. But in most cases I prefer that each student has their own instrument/software. It's very difficult to practice without an instrument.

*** Specialties ***

My methods are to inspire students to play, perform, create, and more important practice. I try to make each lesson a fun experience as well as informative. I like to drill the fundamentals but work with each student individually on what they enjoy and want to learn.

a look back, put yourself in that time, and really study how things were to help understand why things are the way they are now.

Crocheting and knitting are a couple of good habits/hobbies I picked up about 8 years ago. I sell scarves online and I'm always working on some sort of project. I will have you knitting and pearling with the best of them!

Music, history, crochet, and knitting....I'm your girl!

ts to culminate our academic year with a massive outdoor concert in CalArts' Wild Beast Concert Hall!

Please visit davysumner.com to check out more of my original work and collaborations with other artists!

a direction that will feedback into more learning and a drive to explore more styles of music.

some of the top teacher/players in the world.