Springfield, NE Percussion Lessons

y to play percussion in the school symphony while at the same time developed an intense interest in the instrument that would become my true love, the guitar.

During 1996-98 I studied jazz guitar at the New World School of the Arts music program under the direction of J.B. Dyas and Dr. Roby George. Upon graduation, I was immediately accepted to the University of Miami jazz guitar program under the direction of Randall Dollahan. It was during this time that I also refined my skills as a classical guitarist and as a composer/arranger. In addition, I began passing my knowledge onto friends and eventually began working as a teacher.

My ability to play almost any genre of music is the fruit of past experience playing with an impressive variety of music groups, including jazz combos, symphony orchestras, Andean world music ensembles, and several rock and pop groups as well. As a studio guitarist I have recorded for various artists including Jaci Velasquez, Carlos Ponce, Alexandre Pires, and Noelia.

*** Lesson Details ***
Now also available to teach online video chat lessons through Skype.

Every one of you is unique and there are many possible paths to reach your goals in music.

With my background and music industry experience, I am able to customize my lessons for you so that you can reach your desired goals. We will take some time to find out where your passion lies in music and I will use my experience and knowledge to create a customized lesson-plan that will allow us to focus on reaching your desired goals and at the same time maintain a well rounded music education.

I find this to be key in making the lessons and your practice sessions very enjoyable, fun and laid back - knowing that everything we practice, play and talk about is in line with your goals as a student.

I will also be playing along with you and demonstrating everything that we're working on - music is meant to be shared and played with others and it is important to have that experience of interaction from early on in your lessons.

So whether it's learning to accompany yourself or others, write songs, read music, understand harmony, solo, or just jam out to your favorite songs, you will be well on your way to reaching your goals within 6 months of my lessons.

Look forward to making music with you!

Want to learn a quick exercise for mastering the fretboard on your guitar? Check out my article on the TakeLessons blog here: http://takelessons.com/blog/guitar-fretboard-chart

*** Studio Equipment ***
Living room w/ grand piano and seating for parents.
Room/studio with professional recording equipment - Logic Pro X recording software, Mackie HR824 Studio Monitors, Miktech C4 Tube Microphone, UA6176 Preamp/compressor, Apogee Duet D/A converter.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide my instrument and teaching materials.
Students provide their instrument, music folders.

*** Specialties ***
All styles - pop, rock, classical, jazz, blues, folk, ethnic, latin, soul

tronic keyboard, in the lessons.
Bass Guitar: I teach rock, pop, funk, and country music on bass.
Banjo: I teach bluegrass, country, and some blues and rock music. I can also teach a bit of old-timey frailing/clawhammer style.
English and Reading: I am highly qualified, to tutor/teach English (spoken, written, and reading comprehension) to both native English speakers and to those learning it as a second language.
*** I am particularly good at working with children who have a.d.h.d. and other learning disabilities!

ge of artists such as: The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran. Regardless of your favorite band or style, I can help you accomplish your goals!

Piano is one of the most important instruments to learn, especially for children. The benefits are endless. For piano, I teach beginner through intermediate students. Piano is a popular choice because it has a very friendly layout with the keyboard. I use a proven 6 level method to take you from Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star to Ode to Joy! I cover how to read sheet music and cover a wide variety of musical styles!

Do you like the deep, powerful sound of the bass guitar? Well, I cover that too! The bass is a FUN instrument that is very friendly to learn. If you ever want to join a band, the bass is essential instrument, because it goes well with the drums. I cover a wide range of styles from blues, funk, rock and jazz! Go for it!

As a kid did you set up pots and pans or pillows and hit them with spoons like I did? Well, then the drums may be for you! You can learn drums with a pair of sticks! Drums are a total BLAST to play, and if you are not one who wishes to read sheet music,then the drums are perfect for you! I cover a TON of different styles, and if you have a favorite drummer, you can learn to play like him or her relatively quickly!

Need academic help? Well I can help with that too! I tutor in most subjects, including: Math, Science, Reading, Writing Skills and ACT and SAT prep

Here is a breakdown of specific areas of subjects I teach and tutor with:

Math: Pre-Algebra, Algebra I and II, Geometry
Science: Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Reading: Comprehension, Analysis, Annotation and general reading improvement methods
Writing Skills: Essay Writing, Editing, Analysis
Test Prep: I can help with the GED, ACT and SAT

I offer private in-home lessons, lessons at my studio and on-line lessons!

*** Lesson Details ***
Students can expect my lessons to focus on your goals. I cover a lot of fundamentals and basics to start, and then go through more advanced techniques as the student progress. In a short period of time, you will know chords, notes, techniques, rhythm and timings, just to name a few!

Guitar students will learn basic chords, barre chords and soloing techniques. Bass students will learn bass notes, bass lines and soloing.

Drum students will learn timing, fills, soloing and lead drumming.

Piano students will learn how to read music, fingering, chords and song performance.

For academic tutoring, I design my lessons around the specific need of the individual student. I thoroughly research each student needs and customize my tutoring around your child's strengths and weaknesses.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Equipment available:
Keyboard
6-string acoustic guitar
12-string acoustic guitar
Electric guitar
Bass Guitar
2 amplifiers
Full Drum Set

*** Travel Equipment ***
acoustic guitar, bass guitar

*** Specialties ***
I love and can play almost every style of music imaginable! Whatever style of music you like, I can help you improve and learn!

to EVERY endeavor whether it's music or math or soccer. I require practice on the student's part. You will be able to play recognizable songs within your first month. You tell me what you or your child wants out of music lessons, and I will tell you exactly how to get it.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lesson will happen in a space next to the family room which is upstairs. Teacher has a collection of instruments, music stands, couches for seating. Park on the street or driveway.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Instrument

*** Specialties ***
I'm flexible. I have taught everything from country western guitar to classical guitar, from Jazz trumpet to orchestral audition music, from barbershop singing to Broadway musical singing. I have even taught ballet. I cater my methods to the student's best learning style.

and New Jersey and has taught at the secondary level in both states. In addition to both instrumental and choral ensembles at Penn State, Thomas was a student leader in the Penn State Blue Band and a member of the brass section of the Cadets of Bergen County Drum and Bugle Corps in 1993 and 1994. He served as an Associate Director of the Warren Junior Military Band of Youngstown, Ohio from 1995 to 2005. He also served as a visual staff member for the renowned North Penn Marching Knights of Lansdale, PA for one season in 2004.

He is a current adjudicator with Drum Corps International and Cavalcade of Bands. He is a member of MENC, PMEA, NJMEA, ASCAP, CASA, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and the National Band Association. He appeared in the Marquis Who's Who Among American Educators in 2004 and 2005, an honor rarely bestowed upon teachers, as students who appear in the Who's Who Among American High School Students must nominate them. He currently is a music teacher at the Center for Performing and Fine Arts of the PA Leadership Charter School in West Chester, PA and resides in Downingtown, PA with his wife and two sons.

Thomas will happily work with students on the autism spectrum or students with ADD.

*** Lesson Details ***
My lessons are tailored to the needs and interests of each student. If a student is involved in school music ensembles, we will work with their lesson books from school in addition to material outside of the books, including SmartMusic, Noteflight, and teacher-created materials. We will focus on building proper tone production and individual technique - something that often is difficult to learn in a large ensemble setting.

I am capable of starting a beginner student on any band instrument including percussion, any classical string instrument (violin, viola, cello, string bass), and piano. I can begin a student on drum set and work with them through their first method book, but I would then recommend they find a specialized drum set teacher after a period of six to twelve months.

For advanced students, I work from selected conservatory etude books on developing advanced skills and can work with students on audition pieces for honors bands/orchestras or college auditions.

My lessons are a half-hour once a week, with the option of working for 45 minutes or 60 minutes.

*** Specialties ***
music, band, orchestra, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, violin, viola, cello, string bass, piano, Percussion
classical, jazz improvisation

ia's renowned dance company Burn The Floor at Bush Gardens Tampa. I moved to LA in 2010 to further my skills at Musician's Institute PIT. I toured with LA based bands The Red Elvises and Street Drum Corps in 2011. That same year, I received a call from Revolutionary Rock Band Outernational to tour Nationally and Internationally headlining and supporting bands such as The Wailers, Flogging Molly, Las Manos de Filippi and Manu Chao. In 2012, I settled in NY to establish myself and my musical roots in between time touring and also taught at School Of Rock Manhattan as a sub. Over the years, I've helped many students learn how to read music, establish proper technique, coordination and time skills, and how to play some of their favorite songs from some of their favorite bands! I'm excited to help you meet your musical goals and help mold you into a well rounded musician and percussionist! My teaching style can be best described as focused, energetic and fun!

lege years and beyond I served as a percussion instructor and assistant band director at Morgan State University. As part of the Morgan State University Magnificent Marching Machine I served as a instructional leader in music and performance mentor for the team. I taught part time as a percussion instructor at Milford Mill High School giving individual lessons for over 10 years.

Musical inspiration is an important element to the refinement of my craft. A few personal musical influences are Buddy Rich, Max Roach, Neil Peart (Rush), Dennis Chambers, (Santana), George Gray (Roberta Flack), Ricky Wellman (Miles Davis), Quinton Mack-Davis (Rare Essence) and Michael Bland (Prince).

*** Lesson Details ***
Within the first three months of lessons student will gain a strong foundation of sight reading and basic drum techniques in both rudiment studies and playing the drum set. My style of teaching music consist of breaking each skill down into chunks and allowing students to learn using their individual learning styles. I utilize rewards for perfect practice and each lesson contains a safe, fun learning atmosphere with students exhibiting in their best behavior.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lessons in store front studio, drum kit provided

*** Travel Equipment ***
I will bring a practice pad. Students should have a drum set.

*** Specialties ***
Jazz, Funk, pop, and classical.

assical percussion and piano in college, eventually becoming Principal Timpanist for the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra and also Guest Artist with the nationally acclaimed St. Louis Brass Band. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2002, Paul has played/recorded with WAL (formerly the Jacob and Matthew Band), Jane Lui, Danielle Rose, Warren Charles, Scott Detweiler, Hunter Parrish (from Showtime'€™s Weeds and Godspell on Broadway), Brendan James, Billy Mitchell, Bill Purdy, Don Kirkpatrick (Rod Stewart, Joe Cocker), Jeff Littleton (Herbie Hancock, Stanley Turrentine), John Thomas (Bruce Hornsby), Pete Anderson (Roy Orbison, Dwight Yoakam), and has opened for acts including The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, The Wailing Souls, Clint Black, Junior Brown, Rodney Crowell, and has also played for members of the Library of Congress. He has performed at numerous venues ranging from Lucas Oil Stadium, the Verizon Center (Washington, DC), and Cowboy Stadium to the Cerritos Performing Arts Center, Hotel Café, the Roxy, and many others. Paul is an active educator and has taught at the Los Angeles College of Music and Music Performance Academy and has also studied with Steve Ferrone, Peter Erskine, Joe Porcaro, and Ralph Humphrey.

*** Studio Equipment ***

Yamaha DTX electronic drums in personal home studio and Pro Tools for recording lesson progress.

OH (Tarzan), Sinclair College and Dare2Defy Productions - not necessarily all in order. Played in different jazz bands, Pop/Rock groups, and Churches (Contemporary & Traditional) in the area.

I have been teaching since 2004, both privately and for local studios, offering all styles.

nd experience, both as an adjunct instructor and as a drumline director. Lastly, I have seven years of private lesson instruction experience teaching students of all kinds and all ability levels including beginners as young as five years old, mentally disabled students, and intermediate-advanced adults.

I pride myself on my flexibility as an educator. All students are different and all students learn differently, and I hope we can find out what works best for you to meet your musical goals.

I look forward to meting you!

-Taylor-