Henri B.

Henri is an experienced, focused teacher and musician who really enjoys seeing students achieve their goals and desires musically. Henri has studied privately with former Berklee Graduate Al Pahanish Jr (Powerman 5000), and former Capitol Records recording artist Morrison Moon. He is a goal-oriented individual with a versatile background and a relaxed, "let's have fun while we learn" attitude. Henri believes 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? 

Henri also has 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 Corps Drums) performing shows in 46 of the US States, as well as international festival performances in Canada, Norway, and Mexico. His past teaching and performing experiences have really helped shaped the musician he is today.

Aside from preforming and private lessons, he is the founder of his preschool program Wee Rock Music, serves as adjunct faculty at Mesa Community College, and is the Entertainment Coordinator for Tempe Festival of The Arts. As a writer, his work has been published in Phoenix New Times and Modern Drummer, and his new children's drum book, Wee Beats, Wee Eats, is set for release in 2018. And also is an accomplished DJ.

Benard also co-scored the 2012 feature-length documentary, The Immigration Paradox, with Tobie Milford. Active in the music industry for more than 15 years, Henri is experienced in production, artist management, booking, merchandising, copyright, graphic design, promotions, licensing, teaching, publishing, writing, and live and studio performances.

A life-long learner, Henri is always finding new experiences and new ways to connect with his students, as learning comes just as much from the student as it does the teacher. You can always find him around "the music." 

*** Lesson Details ***
Students who study with me can expect for their guitar, drum kit, percussion, or piano lessons to be top-quality, personalized, and above all, extremely fun sessions that will cater to the students musical backgrounds, interests, and needs. I create extremely organized and specifically focused lessons so that students feel comfortable, not pressured, while learning their craft. The lessons I teach are a combination of developmental sight reading music, learning student chosen songs (depending on ability), inspiring and encouraging creative abilities, warm-up and strengthening exercises, proper techniques, listening for internal hearing, composition dynamics, chords, finger-picking (guitar only) and rudiments (drum kit only).

After 3 months of lessons together, students will have started learning several key elements to becoming an outstanding musician. They will have learned proper form and technique, warm-up/skill-building exercises, to read basic notation, and basic rhythms/rudiments. Guitar/Piano students will be able to play at least one song utilizing both melody and chords. For drum kit/percussion, students should have no problem reading basic drum beats and being able to play through a simple song. With proper, steady practice, most students will achieve much more. I also focus on creative thinking, professionalism, and instrument tuning. Finally, the students will have started to develop a solid level of discipline that is required of any aspiring human being! Remember, "practice doesn't make perfect, practice makes permanent."


*** Studio Equipment ***
Electronic Drums, Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Casio CTK-800, LP Assorted Percussions, Protools LE, Logic Pro, Korg Electribe, Reason 3.0, Ion Electronic Drum Set, Chord Charts


*** Travel Equipment ***
I can provide drum sticks, guitar, keyboards, percussion instruments, and all developmental material for students to retain and practice.

I expect my students to be providing the necessary musical equipment as well (guitars, drum kits, percussion instruments, piano/keyboard) for private lessons in home. If they do not have these in the home to practice with, the lessons are much less effective for your student.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in the following styles of playing:

Rock, Hip - Hop, All Latin, Jazz, Funk, Blues, R and B, Gospel, and Dance. I also have a very good feel for World Music as well. I have a very free-spirit for playing, so I often mesh the above stated styles into a more progressive style of playing. I believe that you must be feeling what you are playing.


I also specialize in beat programming/sequencing, recording, organizing song-writing/song-structure, musical score, live performance, and professional music marketing. I am able to show you how to use programs such as Reason, Logic Pro, Protools LE, and Adobe programs to take your creative abilities to the next level.

I believe that these days, it is imperative for musicians to have four major components in their professional arsenal: 1) Discipline and chops on your instruments (including reading music notation); 2) Know how to successfully market yourself and your music; 3) Know how to properly develop a learning ear to record/produce your songs/tracks as well as for others; and 4) Understand and effectively utilize music production programs.

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.