Drums with Kendra M.

I have been teaching percussion lessons since 1994. Outside of my home studio, I have also taught within the Auburn (WA) and Tucson (AZ) public schools as a percussion and music specialist, at The University of Rio Grande (OH) as an affiliate faculty member, at Ohio University and The University of Arizona as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, at Interlochen Arts Camp (MI) as the All-State percussion instructor, and at New England Music Camp (ME) as a faculty member. I have performed with numerous professional orchestras including the Tucson, Phoenix, and Juneau (AK) symphonies and was the principal percussionist and timpanist for the Sierra Vista Symphony Orchestra in Arizona. My volunteer performances have included churches, adult care facilities, children's museums, universities, public schools, bookstores, and farmer's markets. I have a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Percussion Performance with a minor in Ethnomusicology. I have a strong interest in percussion instruments of many cultures including Trinidad, where I studied steel drums in 2005, and Ghana, West Africa where I studied drumming, dance, and the Gyil (Ghanaian xylophone) in 2006. In 2009, I was awarded a grant from the University of Arizona to travel to Appleton, Wisconsin for the Zeltsman Marimba Festival. Other awards I have earned include the Concerto Competition from Western Washington University, the Music Advisory Board Scholarship from The University of Arizona, and the Graduate Achievement Award in Service from Ohio University. *** Lesson Details *** In your first lesson we will discuss your musical goals and interests. If applicable, you should bring along any music that you are currently practicing, have played most recently, and/or would like to perform. If you are learning a new instrument, we will go over the basic technique and I will give you some exercises to practice at home. Whether you are new to percussion or have been playing for years, your lessons will be tailored to help you reach your full potential and get the most out of your musical experiences. If you are interested in solo performance, we can perform together within the community. (I especially enjoy performing at care centers, farmers markets and in church services.) If you are interested in performing in ensembles, competing in solo/ensemble competitions, or studying music in college, I can help you prepare a successful audition. If you are interested in playing drums or marimba because they are fun, I can introduce you to new opportunities and impart knowledge that will inspire you and continue to open your mind. I am patient and creative in my approach to tackling challenges in improving technique, sight-reading, and musicality. I believe that music performance should be an enjoyable and energizing experience for the performer and the listener. My life has been deeply touched by the art of sound and I hope to pass on this passion. I have a large library of method books, solos and CDs available to check out and peruse between lessons. You are expected to purchase method books and solos that you will be using long-term. Spending quality time with your instrument between lessons should be enjoyable; I will provide you with direction on how to effectively use your at-home practice time while still having fun playing music. *** Studio Equipment *** In my studio, I have a drum set, marimba, timpani, snare drums, practice pads, a tenor (lead) steel drum, auxiliary percussion instruments, Ghanaian (African) drums and gyili (African xylophones). *** Specialties *** I specialize in orchestral percussion (snare drum, timpani, xylophone, cymbals, triangle, etc.), marimba, African drumming (especially Ghanaian drumming) and drum set. I also play steel drums and guitar.