Audition Prep with Colin D.

Hello! Thank you for viewing my page! I am happy to be part of Takelessons.com, and I hope to hear from you soon. A little about me: I have been in the Akron area for a year, and I have completed my first year of graduate work at the University of Akron, where I am working towards a Masters of Music in Percussion. My main professor is Dr. Larry Snider (mallets, snare drum, timpani, general percussion). I also study drum set with Mark Gonder (drummer for the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra) and steel pan with Matt Dudack (director, University of Akron Steel Drum Band). This past year at the University of Akron, I worked as a dance accompanist and was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Percussion Student Award for the 2012-2013 year. Though I am a busy student, I also play and teach throughout the area as well. Currently I am playing drum set with Akron-based rock band Anchor the Moon and for the praise band at Montrose Zion United Methodist Church. I also freelance as a percussionist and steel pan player, and I am currently the drum line instructor at Chippewa High School. As an undergraduate, I studied music education at the University of Southern Mississippi with Dr. John Wooton (mallets, jazz vibes, drum set, snare drum). While at Southern Miss I performed with numerous ensembles (jazz, wind band, orchestra, steel band, etc), coached drum lines for Pearl River Central HS and Loyd Star H, and marched in the 2010 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with the Pride of Mississippi Marching Band. All of my experiences have made me into a very well-rounded and versatile player, and I feel that I have much to offer those wanting to learn. I especially enjoy beginner students, as they allow me to witness their personal and musical growth at a very high degree. *** Lesson Details *** As every student has different goals, I attempt to cater to the needs of each individual student. In my opinion, this is what makes teaching such an interesting and rewarding activity. I always enjoy discovering how each student learns and do my best to cater to that student's learning style. While I do take lessons seriously, I am still laid-back, as a person and as an instructor. I strive to have a fun and stress-free teaching environment, though I can move at a quick pace if need be. Essentially, I want the experience to be informative and education, yet still enjoyable. I strive to avoid treating the lesson like a chore. While I do take music itself seriously, I still know that music should be ENJOYABLE! I can work with students at any level. For beginning students, I strongly focus on technique and basic musicality (reading rhythms, reading pitches, etc). For more intermediate students, I still stress technique while introducing other concepts such as stylistic approach for different types of music. *** Studio Equipment *** Two drum sets, one steel drum, one djembe, one cajon, one conga, one bongo, two snare drums. *** Travel Equipment *** One drum set, one steel drum, one djembe, one cajon, one conga. one bongo, one snare drum. *** Specialties *** Orchestral and rudimental snare, drum set, steel drum, timpani, hand drums, orchestral percussion, mallet percussion, drum line technique, African drumming, Brazilian drumming