Westwood, NJ Drum Lessons

raduate and graduate studies at Manhattan School of Music, learning from the likes of John Riley, David Liebman, Samir Chatterjee & Michael Abene.
Paul has since been able to make a name for himself among the local and international music industry as an accomplished drummer and forward-thinking composer. He has performed at several international festivals (North Sea Jazz Festival) and at some of the world's most prestigious jazz clubs in the US and overseas. Paul has appeared alongside such emerging stars as David Binney, Linda Oh, Ambrose Akinmusire, Will Vinson, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Lage Lund, Mike Moreno and Tim Collins.

*** Lesson Details ***
Whether my students are young or old, taking lessons as a hobby or wish to pursue a career in music, I tailor my lessons to meet each individual student’s needs and expectations.
I have a lot of fun teaching and I want you or your child to have fun during our lessons.
My students learn music in the most natural and intuitive way possible. I try to build on what the student already likes, listens to and has a passion for. I encourage students to bring their favorite songs and we usually end up working with those. I also like using songs by The Beatles as they provide a perfect (fun and familiar) platform to learn many different aspects of drumming and musical performance.
In addition to being a drummer and percussionist, I have a strong background in music theory and I want to make sure my students not only know how to play their instrument, but also become familiar with reading and writing music.
After a few months in the studio, you or your child can expect to have a better understanding of music and have acquired the basic tools and techniques which will allow you to play your favorite pieces of music.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Drumset, Cymbals, Practice Pads, Audio Equipment for Play-Along, Electric Piano

*** Travel Equipment ***
Practice Pad, Cymbals, Laptop, Recordings, Headphones and necessary cables, sheet music, .... .

*** Specialties ***
All styles of drumming

mely creative and knowledgeable, but if you don't have the technique and vocabulary needed to express your ideas, you will find yourself very limited and suppressed musically.

My philosophy about teaching follows that I am here to provide you with those tools in a fun, exciting way. When I say "tools" I mean the whole toolbox. This includes giving you the technique, correcting bad habits, providing listening material, finding holes in your playing and much more. A good music teacher must be more than an instructor, but a mentor and an inspirational guide. My best teachers were the ones who could cultivate my playing not just through the physical aspects but ESPECIALLY through the cerebral. We ALL need encouragement and inspiration to get the best out of our natural talent. I love to encourage my students to do their best. To strive to not only complete exercises, but to execute them well. Every student is different, and therefore I will tailor their education with me on an individual basis. I expect a lot out of my students because I strongly believe in my teaching ability as well as their ability to learn and feel good about their progress.

My approach to providing all these things is modeled around my best experiences in learning and performing. I've studied under some of the absolute best players and teachers in the world. Here are just a couple:

World renowned drummer and educator

TOMMY IGOE from
The Lion King on Broadway
The Birdland Big Band
Numerous instructional books and DVDs.

Highly sought after percussionist

TOM KOLOR
Graduated from William Paterson as well as with a Masters from the Julliard School of Music
Professor of Music at the University at Buffalo.

IAN FROMAN
Professor of Drums at Berklee School of Music
Professional, world renowned Drummer

I've also graduated Cum Laude from the University at Buffalo with a degree in Music Performance, Dean's List and Honor Roll awards.

Some of my experience includes being featured in Tommy Igoe's "Great Hands For a Lifetime" DVD which received 5 stars from Modern Drummer magazine in 2010. I've also played great venues like Gramercy Theatre and Central Park in NYC among others. I've played in Big Bands, Symphony Orchestras, Klesmer and Percussion ensembles, and more.

I really could go on forever talking about music, what it means to me, how I approach teaching, etc. When you love music and teaching as much as I do, you really can't help it. It's ingrained in you. Precisely as ingrained as I like to think being a fun, caring, disciplined, attentive teacher is in me. Whether it be for you or your child, I can easily promise that I will deliver the same success-bound mentoring that I have to my students for over 10 years running.

Can't wait to hear from you!

-Asaf

*** Lesson Details ***
-I am here for you.

I would not teach if I wasn't very interested in the progress of my students. I want you to be the biggest, baddest, awe-inspiring drummer/percussionist possible. I want to ultimately end up at your shows and concerts and be able to say "That's MY student." You can always be guaranteed that when studying with me everything I assign has precisely that goal in mind.

-Strict or Laid Back?

Many people might ask if I'm strict, or laid back. My response is that I am excited and driven to help you reach success. I will never scold you because that sort of practice has no place in teaching. I also understand that learning isn't just a straight upwards incline of progression. We're all humans. Sometimes we progress astronomically in a short period of time and sometimes we have to fight hard to nail something. Sometimes we have a lot of time to practice, and sometimes we simply don't. My job is to make the most out of every situation and help you learn no matter what. That being said, I will still hound you to practice as much as healthily possible!

-What do you want out of music?

Probably the most important question I will undoubtedly ask you upon meeting you is why you are taking lessons. There is no way to formulate a tailored lesson plan if I don't know what it is you're working towards.

-Expected Material

Like I said, I can't tell you very specifically what your lesson plan will be, but I CAN give you examples of what I almost always assign. Individually written out exercises, exercises from books, assigned reading/listening, song covers, chart writing/reading, improvisational exercises, rudiment study, warm-up routines, among others.

-Don't be Afraid to Make Mistakes

Mistakes are part of the learning process! If you aren't making mistakes then I'm doing something wrong. Never be afraid to make mistakes.

-You Get What You Give

I promise I'll be there for you. I'll be there to give you the material and show you the path, but you're going to have to be there for yourself as well. The more prepared you are for our lessons, the more you will grow from the time we spend together.

Mastering an instrument takes time and effort both by student and teacher. The sooner we get started the sooner you get on that path. I'm ready whenever you are.

*** Studio Equipment ***
detached studio 3 professional drum sets seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
Numerous practice pads and snare stands. I expect my students to only provide their own Drum Sticks and books.

*** Specialties ***
I pride myself on being as versatile as I possibly can be. I can aptly teach most styles including Jazz, Rock, Funk, Latin, Hip Hop\R&B, Classical, and more.

the examples using Finale.
I have a complete collection of books and videos to support the lessons.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide my books, metronome, sticks, etc.
I expect the student provide the drum set

*** Specialties ***
Rock, Jazz, Pop, Latin, Brazilian, Caribbean, Andean, Latin American , Colombian, etc

is sound is dynamic, spontaneous and full of energy and melody. The mix of genres appeals to a diverse crowd, regardless of age and preferences. Some of his more open and orchestral compositions have appeared in several films and other media. Currently, Freddy works and lives between Palm Beach and New York City, where he runs his own NYC recording facility.

When not busy making music, Freddy operates a very successful luxury travel agency, Sienna C with his wife Jaclyn Sienna India.

DRUMS
A pair of drumsticks were probably the first thing I ever fooled around with when I was younger. Well, maybe not the first thing, but I remember playing as young as 4 years old. It's always easier to start learning an instrument when you're a child. Endless hours of the day to practice with no responsibilities, works wonders! Those of us that were fortunate enough to have the time as a child to lay a foundation for music, we were lucky. Drumming is the most physical form of musical instrument expression. For me it was the only form of expression. The drummer learns to control two sides of his brain, a practice that allows the individual to develop in a unique way. In order to learn how to properly play the drums, you need to loosen up. The point is to release the tension through the beats and notes, as opposed to being tense while playing. An accomplished drummer will learn how to master the muscle separation between arms, hands and fingers. The latter being the most difficult. My influences when performing behind the kit are many, but the following will always stand out; Ginger Baker, Bill Bruford, Billy Cobham and Buddy Rich to name a few. My practice regime as a child was putting on records and playing along. Developing my ear was the most important aspect of my training. Being able to hear what you are going to play, before you play it is what the musician strives for. My approach to teaching drums relies on heavy ear training, rather than reading notes. I think some fundamental theory and notation reading is a plus, but not necessary in today's musical context.

unconventional rhythms and harmony. Her music has been described as "...hyper-detailed...designed to spur multi-faceted improvisation". Her most recently formed trio with pianist Matt Mitchell deals with a new book of compositions containing varied forms and harmonic and rhythmic structures that demand a spectrum of improvisational creativity.

Kate holds a dual degree in Jazz Performance and Music Education from the Eastman School of Music. Kate has also studied independently with a host of great drummers, improvisers, and composers, including Dan Weiss, Tim Berne, Tony Malaby, Marc Ducret, Miles Okazaki, and John Riley.

Kate has enjoyed teaching drum lessons independently for 10 years and has taught at the NYSMF summer jazz program and several schools.

that you can know a little bit before you go )
• Basic to advanced conversation ( so you can make french friends and understand what they say )
• Train your ear
• Grammar / Vocabulary / Verbs

BUT DON'T WORRY , IT WILL BE FUN !

After the first lesson , ALL my students realize that learning french isn't scary anymore.

So : qui veut apprendre le français ?*

(*who wants to learn french?)

Section about DRUM LESSONS:

On the music side of my studies: I attended the American School of Modern Music of Paris for 3 years and moved to Philadelphia to study with Joe Morello's former student Sam Ruttenberg at the University of the Arts in 2012.

I perform as a professional jazz drummer between Europe and America.

~~Teaching Philosophy~~

IF YOU CAN SAY IT , YOU CAN PLAY IT !

•I teach beginners to advanced students , all ages and styles are welcome

I can teach you ( how to ) :

• read
• improvise
• play with other musicians
• the history of the drums
• your role as a drummer
• make music with an instrument that at first doesn't seem very musical
• swing
• latin / afro cuban grooves
• rock
• correct your grip on the sticks
and everything else you may ask... the possibilities and endless

zart in the Jungle by night! She is also heavily involved in Bollywood dancing, learning to speak Hindi, and a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC.

For more information, don't miss a beat, drop her a message!