
Henri B.

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About Henri B.
Hi everybody! My name is Henri, and I am an experienced and focused musician who really enjoys seeing students achieve their goals and desires musically. I have studied privately with former Berklee Graduate Al Pahanish Jr (Powerman 5000), and former Capitol Records recording artist Morrison Moon. I am a goal-oriented individual with a versatile background and a relaxed, "let's have fun while we learn" attitude. I adamantly believe music should always be fun and inspiring for everyone, no matter what skill level. FUN is always the focus, because if you are not having fun, why are you doing it?
I also have years of experience touring both nationally and internationally with several award-winning Arizona-based performing groups, (Okilly Dokilly, Dry River Yacht Club,The Hourglass Cats, Clint Stevens, Street Drum Corps) performing shows in 46 of the US States, as well as international festival performances and touring in Canada, Norway, Mexico, UK (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland), Republic of Ireland, Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, France, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand. My past teaching and performing experiences have really helped shaped the musician and the teacher I am today.
Aside from performing and private lessons, I am the founder of preschool program Wee Rock Music and serve as adjunct faculty at Mesa Community College. I work as the Entertainment Coordinator for Tempe Festival of The Arts. And as a writer, my work has been published in Phoenix New Times and Modern Drummer. And lastly, and I am super excited for this, my new children's drum book, Wee Beats, Wee Eats, is set for release in 2020.
I also co-scored the 2012 feature-length documentary, The Immigration Paradox, with Tobie Milford. Active in the music industry for more than 15 years, and am experienced in production, artist management, booking, merchandising, copyright, graphic design, promotions, licensing, teaching, publishing, writing, and live and studio performances.
As a life-long learner, I am always finding new experiences and new ways to connect with students, as learning comes just as much from the student as it does the teacher. You can always find me around "the music."
Proudly endorsed by TJS Custom Drums, SKB Cases, and Los Cabos Drumsticks.
I look forward to working with you and helping you achieve your musical desires. Thanks so much for stopping by and have a music-filled day.
Reviews
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Disappointed. This was the first time my daughter tried an online piano class. She had done in person piano lessons until the pandemic hit. Though Henri was very polite and friendly to my daughter, he did only one lesson of our package and then quit unexpectedly, sending me a brief text saying he was going to focus on his studio career. It was a waste of my money because I paid for a lesson that was basically him getting to know my child's musical skill level. He assigned her some unprepared homework, which was a pop song he just grabbed off the internet, which did not have child appropriate lyrics, but he wouldn't know that because he did not even know the song before sending it my daughter. This piece of music had both singing parts and piano which was confusing and too advanced for my 9 year old. She was frustrated and then disappointed and confused when we did not do another lesson with Henri. I have since found a local studio that uses Zoom efficiently, and she is doing well with the instructor. She learned nothing from Henri though, and IMO his abrupt resignation by text after only one lesson was unprofessional. Thankfully I was able to transfer the remaining lessons to another class (used them for myself not my daughter) but unfortunately TakeLessons would not reimburse me for the wasted lesson with Henri.


Thanks, Henri.


He is wonderful with kiddos!



Henri was great!

Henry was great with my son's first lesson!

We appreciate his patience! My 7 year old daughter has a lot of fun and follows along with him no problem.



Great lesson! I was nervous for my first lesson but Henri was great at explaining things and showing his knowledge of drums. Look forward to future lessons

excellent first lesson. fun, efficient with my time. excited to keep going

Very personable, kind, patient, fun and great at making sure student understands fundamentals and making them feel ok with asking questions. Great experience!

Very energetic and loves teaching

HE IS THE BEST

He was good and cool and Amazing

He really knows some good exercises and can break them down to make them easy to understand.



Henri has been great with my daughter Emma! She looks forward to her lesson every week and is learning a lot.

Learning is fun with Henry. Good energy and great teacher.

Awesome class!

Henri is such a great teacher! He strives to make kids enjoy whatever they are doing. Henri always asks if you’re having fun because he never wants you to be bored of what could become a passion of yours. He is a great teacher! Highly recommended . I have two kids working with him and they both enjoy his company as a teacher!

My 6 year old son absolutely loved his time with Henri. He is so patient, kind, and such a wonderful teacher. I would definitely recommend Henri for ALL.

Henri is always super kind and patient with me. He works really hard to break things down in a way that will make sense and be easier to grasp. He’s also always in a great mood and it’s refreshing to see! 10/10 would recommend.

Very chill and informative first lesson. He really seemed to listen and understand my learning curve. Looking forward to future lessons.

Really great and friendly guy. Super enthusiastic. Great choice for anyone wanting to learn piano..

Henri is awesome! He works hard to plan the lessons around what is equally challenging and interesting. He has no problem working with a 28 year old first time piano player like myself. I highly recommend him!

Henri is very attentive to his student's needs and very sympathetic to the needs of a rank beginner.

Amazing! Very open to new ways of learning....exactly what my son needed!

A fabulous introduction to music for our 9 year old! Thank you Henri for making the lesson such a positive and inspiring experience, we could t be happier. See you next week!

My son is comfortable and doesn't feel pressured, which speaks to Henri's ability to communicate with kids and make it fun. That is very important.

Henri understands my goal of wanting to learn to cover songs and eventually write my own. It's exactly what I'm looking for.

Great lesson, I look forward to next week!

Where can I start I don't Know but what I do Know for sure, this guy is very kind and patient. He's a great teacher who has lots of patient with me. I am so glad I have you as my instructor thank you Henri B.
Instruction is always individualized and positive. He always looks for what you do best and helps you develop your strengths. He works with you to overcome your weaknesses. Taking classes with him is a great pleasure.

Taking drum lessons with Henri has improved my sound incredibly. Henri does more then improve my chops technically, Henri has taught me how to play musically. Henri set me free on the drums, teaching me how to breathe while I play and to hit with confidence. My friends and family have been commenting on how great I sound on the drums lately. It is awesome. I highly recommend taking drum lessons with Henri.

Henri is an awesome teacher and mentor. He has the patience to teach drum by ear and repetition. He has taught me not only to play rhythms but also great songs that I can relate to. Henri has taught me to continue to strive to do my best not only in music but in my personal life. I drive 50 mile round trip in order to have Henri as my teacher. Some day I hope I can play as well as Henri. Robbie

Henri has been a fun and patient drum instructor. I highly recommend him!

Henri is a gem. He is the perfect combination of cool and a serious musician. He is able to win over the respect of kids and truly teach them! There is no need to look any further for a music teacher!

To start with, Henri is fun to be around, DO NOT underestimate this. I have had the strict authoritarian and the the wallflower and in both cases, I ended up not showing up so often than I just quit. It took me a few times of going to my lesson to realize what it was that made this time so different, and it is quite simply that I like being there for more than just the lesson.
In terms of his lesson quality and knowledge of the subject, I can only speak to his guitar knowledge. I guess before I begin, I should say that I am a beginner, and spend most of my time in life doing the things I have to do rather than the things I want to do. (kids) Anyhow, once again, Henri hit the mark. He asked me my goals and then challenged me to get there while not pressuring me too much to practice. (like I said, not a wallflower, and not an authoritarian) Some lessons were theory, scales, and or chords, and some were just me learning a song, which is essentially the fun way of learning chords and picking techniques.
At the end of the day, the entire experience has exceeded my expectations, and while my practice between lessons is certainly lacking, I am making serious progress. One fine day, I will play that coffee house and my decent singing and average guitar will fill the air and with any luck will only turn heads in a good way!

Henri is an excellent teacher! I have been a teacher myself for more than 15 years and I recommend him without reservation. He works with my daughter who is five years old and she is always excited about her lessons. She is making excellent progress and is eager to do more. She feels well-supported by Henri who encourages her to take risks with her playing while making her feel that she is doing a great job. Music lessons with this teacher are well worth the money and an excellent investment. We are lucky to have found him!
Great teacher!
Henri is great!! He is a super experienced and knowledgable drummer (musician) and teacher. He is extremely patient, has taught me my basics, technique, and is very open to teaching what you want to learn, willing to teach you what you are really interested in musically. At the end of every lesson, he reviews what we learned, writes it and lets me video it so I can practice at home. He has been really flexible, patient, laid back and always down to work on whatever you want but great at coming up with lessons that challenge and excite you as well. I could'nt be more pleased with Henri as a teacher. I always look forward to my lessons.
Great experience!
My 7 yr old has been taking drum lessons with Henri for aobut 2 months. He is always excited to go, and never wants to leave at the end. He is learning rhythms and other drum basics. Henri is great at keeping him on track, but allowing for enough fun/free play as well. It is great that Henri has two drum kits so they can both play the whole lesson.
A really impressed Mom's review
Henri and my 8 year old daughter have had about four drum lessons together and she is really learning! His teaching style is flawless because he works with the interests and strengths she has. When she messes up he makes it fun and is very able to help her understand what she needs to do differently. He applies his teaching to current songs that she likes so I can't make her stop practicing if I wanted to. Genius!
Even if he weren't our teacher, we would still wish to spend time with him because of his wonderful personality. We are so blessed and lucky to have randomly found him on this website. Jackpot!!!
Very great teacher he is patient with my son.
Great beginner experience
Henri is great! I am a complete beginner and he is always patient and very encouraging. And flexible with scheduling as well.
Henri is a experienced, friendly and patient guitar teacher. His lessons are engaging and helpful, his pace and direction make learning guitar inviting and beneficial. The only downside is his unique teaching studio, very small.
Henri and my childern are working very well together. Ther are learning.
(aka tiffiny)
Thanks for being so flexible this past two weeks. :)
I AM TAKING BEGINNER SINGING LESSONS
Henri is a GREAT singing instructor! He is encouraging and always makes me feel excited about learning. Positive reinforcement is something that keeps me going, and that is something he does without a doubt. Not only am I lucky, but thankful to have a talented instructor who gives his all in planning and teaching singing lessons.
doing well so far. henri corrected a major flaw in my drumming the first lesson and i feel like i already play better. can't wait to learn more!
Highly recommended
Henri has been a wonderful instructor, helping me improve at a pace that works perfectly with my busy work schedule. He's attentive and fun to work with.
I think your very talented. Hope you go a long ways in what every direction you go in. I may be taking more lessons someday soon.
Photos & Videos
26 Photos & VideosExperience
Music Teacher
Oct 2016 - PresentNatural Choice Academy
Provide music education and appreciation for pre-school classrooms ages 1- 5.
Owner/Founder
Jul 2016 - PresentPrivate Company
My company is designed to nurture children and family bonding through high-energy music appreciation sessions. Sessions were designed by founder/teaching artist Henri of Phoenix, AZ, and are aimed at both parent(caregiver)/child and preschool-age students. At WRM we highly believe in the power of music and that it’s essential role of any person’s growth, especially young children. Our founder has been a lifelong musician and has several years of preschool/early childhood, private lesson, and performance experience, making our methods of children’s music education extremely fun, focused, and contemporary. We feel our programs speak for themselves.
Adjunct Faculty
Jan 2012 - PresentMesa Community College
Instructor for MUC210, MUC109, and MUC110 in Music Business program for Mesa Community College.
Musician/Teaching Artist
Sep 2006 - PresentEssential Theater
Provide music and music therapy for Essential Theater. Essential Theater is an internationally renowned playback theater company based out of Tempe, AZ.
Private Lessons Teacher/Ensemble Director
Aug 2012 - Sep 2014School of Rock
Worked as a private drum instructor as well as ensemble director at the School of Rock in both Ahwatukee and Scottsdale.
Teaching Artist
Jan 2010 - Jan 2013Phoenix Conservatory of Music
Teaching artist for PCM. Have taught group classes in drums/percssion, vocals, guitar, and music theory. Also worked as a private instructor for guitar and drums.
Music Teacher
Oct 2010 - Aug 2012Love and Learn Pre School
Provided music education for pre-schooler classrooms (1s, 2s, 3s, 4s, School-Age)
Education
B.A. Religious Studies
Aug 2000 - Dec 2008Arizona State University
Languages
Portuguese
Limited Proficiency
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