Music Theory with Michael M.

I've been playing piano & drums for 35 years and am currently playing professionally in the Hartford CT area. I am also skilled in playing guitar and bass, as well as having experience with theory, ear training, composition & recording. I went to college at The Hartt School in West Hartford Connecticut where I studied studied classical percussion performance & piano. While at Hartt, I studied classical percussion, ear training & jazz drumming with renowned tympanist and educator Alexander Lepak, co-author of the world-famous Friese-Lepak Timpani Method. I studied classical, jazz and rock percussion with Gene Bozzi, Principal Timpanist in the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. I also studied with composer and percussionist Michael LaRosa, jazz piano and theory with Ray Cassarino, onetime member of Woody Herman's band. My professional teaching & performance experience includes a variety of musical genres. I was Orchestra Director at Mercy High School in Middletown CT & Assistant Music Director at The Hartford Stage Company Youth Theater. I have many years experience teaching percussion and piano in the Greater Hartford Area including at Morey Music in Vernon CT, and The Music Barn in East Windsor CT. I have also composed music for various Musicals, radio commercials, websites, videos, Facebook games, and more. Throughout my musical career, I was the recipient of many honors including the Randy Ramendetta Musical Scholarship, as well as the John Philip Sousa Award for superior musicianship. I was a founding member and drummer for the popular Hartford band The Commuters. Additionally, I have performed in numerous classical, jazz, and rock groups in the area, including The Hartt Symphony Orchestra, The Manchester Symphony, Willimantic Orchestra, IRN, Mark Twain Masquers, Valley Swing Shift Big Band, The Core, Fazz Junk, Blue Moon, Signature, Babyshake, Xstatic, and Kings Highway. *** Lesson Details *** For beginners, I focus on the basic techniques right away, to be sure the student's skills are properly developed so that there are no bad habits established. From there we learn approachable pieces the sound great and are not too difficult, giving the student immediate gratification. I feel it is important to balance teaching theory & techniques to improve the student's ability to play the instrument, as well as making sure it's an enjoyable experience. When a student loves to play their instrument, they will continue to benefit from the intellectual benefits and magic of music! *** Studio Equipment *** My studio includes 2 drum kits, practice pads, acoustic piano, electronic keyboards, xylophone, acoustic & electric guitars, bass, electronic drum kit, hand percussion, and a fully equipped pro-tools recording studio. Seating for parents. *** Travel Equipment *** They Should Have Their Own Instrument. Drum students should have at least a drum pad and sticks. Piano students can have an electronic keyboard, but a piano is desired. *** Specialties *** classical, jazz, rock, pop, blues, new age, grunge, worldbeat, latin, r&b and soul.