Bongo Lessons in Blossvale. Amazing Teachers.

Dave Y. studied Afro-Cuban Percussion, Percussion and Drums at the University of Northern Colorado, the nation's 3rd largest Jazz school. He brings 17+ years of education and teaching experience to the table.

Hello Everyone! I have been teaching for over 10 years now (private lessons, drumline tech, Percussion Director at 2 different 6A High Schools in Texas).

All Ages Welcome!

Lessons are customized and catered to the needs/goals of each student!

Experience:

Bachelor's in Music Education, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
- Studied with (2011-2016):
- Robert Lopez (Austin Symphony Orchestra)
- THE Butch Miles (Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr.)
- Wayne Salzmann, II (UT-Austin, Eric Johnson)

Master of Music in Jazz Studies, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- Studying with (2020 - ):
- Peter Erskine (Weather Report, Stan Kenton, Steps Ahead, Diana Krall)
- Will Kennedy (The Yellowjackets)

The drums are the backbone of most music, so you have to be able to feel the groove and stay tight and on top of the beat. I encourage students to pick their favorite songs, and we drum to those while learning proper technique, rudiments, song form, fills, rhythm, different grooves / beats, and anything they want to know about the drums. I have been playing the drums for over sixteen years and have a Bachelor's Degree in Music from the Berklee College of Music. Drums is a beautiful art and form of expression and is just the tip of the iceberg we can tackle called Music.

As an educator, I strive to provide my students with the tools that they will need to explore the direction that they want to take with their instrument. This can include from enjoying drumming as a hobby, performing in small jazz ensembles, recording electronic and acoustic drums in major recording studios, to performing with a full orchestra! There is literally no limit to what you can do.

My focus is to get hobbyists to enjoy performing drums in the comfort of their own home or with friends, and to have my professionally-minded students go out into the world of performing and recording music. All of these environments are where the ultimate joy of playing an instrument can be expressed.

As a gigging and studio musicians, I understand what it takes to get to the stage or studio, apply oneself in that environment, and come away with a satisfying experience that you can then build upon for the rest of your life.

Bongos:
Are an Afro-Cuban percussion instrument consisting of a pair of small open bottomed drums of different sizes. Together with the conga or tumbadora, and to a lesser extent the batá drum, bongos are the most widespread Cuban hand drums, being commonly played in genres such as Cuban son, salsa and Afro-Cuban jazz.
In class we will be focusing on different hand techniques, placement
and rhythms. Starting with the basics, from the first class we will begin to use these techniques to play along with songs.

I am thrilled to hear that you or your kid is ready to start taking drum lessons! I have been teaching drum set and percussion for eleven years, and last year finished my master's in percussion performance at CU, after a music education degree in Michigan.

I start students off with "repeat after me" style exercises to develop technique, coordination, and musical tone on the instruments. Then, we can dig into playing the music (s)he loves! I'm always curious to hear if there is a certain band or drummer my student admires?