Oreland, PA Percussion Lessons

f Weezer, Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe, and The Blue Man Group.

Teaching drums is just as much a passion of his as is drum performance and recording. In 2005 he was hired as the drum instructor at Los Angeles City College. Since then, he has authored three different drum books and has taught music at Southern California Music School, Alhambra School of Music, Pasadena City College, LA Valley College, LA Academy and several other institutions.

Andrew was awarded Teacher of the Year 2007/2008 at Southern California Music School. He also received Best Drummer Award at the Emergenza’s Battle of the Bands contest in 2005. Under Andrew’s instruction, Carver Middle School was also awarded 1st place during the NVISION Battle of the Bands contest in 2010.

*** Lesson Details ***
After years of teaching, I have learned to speak the language of my students. I always find a way to help them understand the mechanics of playing drums. I get very excited over good music, interesting drum concepts or beats. I am patient and encouraging. I give my students praise for every accomplishment. I believe that anyone can become a great drummer.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Rehearsal Studio with seating for parents.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide the learning material, I expect the student to have their own drums/equipment.

*** Specialties ***
I teach reading and writing music notation as well as to play by ear. I specialize in Jazz, Rock, Blues, Country, Metal, and Latin styles. I know heel-up, heel-down, and heel-toe bass drum pedal technique. I also specialize in rudimental drumming.

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

azz Festival in 1989. Won Soloist award. Played with Settlement Music School Jazz ensemble 1987 to 1989. Played at the Roam and Hass Jazz festival at Settlement Music School in 1988. Founding member of flute ensemble Flutes in a Chord. Studied with Christine Dalsey . Studied Jazz with Lovett Hines. Attended Masterclasses with Nestor Torres and David Cramer. Specialist in early childhood education, pre-school music and Ethnomusicology with a focus on Asian Music. Member of the Flute Society of Greater Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Flute Choir.
Flute, Jazz Flute, Flute Choir B.A. in Music, Temple University.

*** Lesson Details ***
I am a teacher that can be very strict but I can also go with the flow. I base my curriculum on Orff and Kodaly for my younger students. For my older students, I work with the student's abilities and see which curriculum works for them.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Indoor studio space: drum kit, hand percussion, 88 - key fully weighted digital piano, flutes, clarinets, computers, recording gear, alto sax, recorders, piccolos

*** Specialties ***
Classical and jazz

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

on and/or learning disabilities. Drum/percussion lessons have reawakened these discouraged students' desire to learn and I am happy to adjust my teaching style for any disabilities or difficulties a student may have. I am happy to provide references from parents whose children were struggling in other areas of life and who looked forward to a music lesson when all else seemed to be a chore.

More information: My recent recordings include top-selling Mexican pop artist Yuridia's newest album, Entre Mariposas, produced by his longtime collaborator Javier Calderon, and I have shared credits with Kenny Aronoff and James East.

Winner , San Diego Music Awards with the band Skelpin.

Percussionist of Manolito Gypsy (Gypsy Kings).

*** Lesson Details ***
Classes are 30, 45 or 60 minutes, depending on age and ability. I give lessons at your home or in my home studio.

I will start by talking to the student and/or parent about what the student would like to accomplish from the lessons and what, if any, musical background the student already has. It's OK if you don't have any experience at all.

The first class is when I focus on understanding how the student learns. Everyone learns differently and is motivated differently, so I make it a point to get to know what makes the student tick. During the first lesson, we will do some basic exercises so I can pinpoint where they are, and I'll assign skills to practice for the next class.

If the class is taught at my home studio, I record it for the student to refer to during the week. I assign exercises for every class, so please plan to practice at least 15 minutes per day while you are taking lessons.

Finally, I offer a recording opportunity for students who are writing songs and would like to learn recording skills. This is an option for advanced students, students who are looking to record a demo, or for young students who would like to preserve their new accomplishments on an audio file that can be given as a gift.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Roland TD-6 and Yamaha stage custom and acoustic drums. Full in-home studio. Machudo Cajons (Drum Box) Yamaha acoustic set, Sonar recording software,Box) Yamaha acoustic set, Sonar rec software,

*** Travel Equipment ***
Will bring appropriate lesson materials to your home and we will work together to get the right practice materials for you within your budget.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in teaching Latin percussion instruments including the drum set, cajon (DrumBox), bongos, dumbek and congas.
Spanish Music for kids
Spanish:Lessons for teens and adults, Spanish Music Program(Learn Spanish with songs, music age 8-9)

If you have a group of kids that play instruments but they don't know how to start a band I can guide them I have plenty of experience in this field.

Also I teach how to make and how to play with sequences and loops.

Latin rhythms, rock, world music beats, jazz, Latin Jazz, pop--the style is up to the student.

student from the beginner level to the intermediate level in percussion/drum set (my primary instrument in high school and college).

As I begin to wind down my career as a public school teacher, I very much would love to build a solid career as a private music instructor. I believe that I have much to offer in this field, from my experiences spanning over three decades!