Drums with Thomas D.

I love to play, whether it's sitting behind a massive percussion rig in the pit of a show, laying down a beat on the kit for an ensemble of dancers or playing a clay drum in a duo at a little wine bar. It's all about having a good time and communicating through music with your peers and the audience. For 20+ years, I've taught in a variety of settings: in classrooms and one-on-one, to students from 1-50 years of age. I also have experience teaching students with developmental disabilities. I find the privilege of steering a student toward their musical goals extremely rewarding. I earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1994 and I've never stopped learning, taking advantage of my professional relationships to study and play with with some of my idols. Over the past 18 years, I've had numerous high-profile jobs and have traveled the world as part of those opportunities. As a result of this and my educational background, I have a unique blend of practical and theoretical knowledge in the fields of music and entertainment, and can articulately pass this knowledge on to to you! *** Lesson Details *** Every student is different. I'll enthusiastically create a lesson plan that will suit your needs. If there's a song that you have heard that you just can't get out of your brain, I'll help you to find it, understand and have fun with it on the drumset, congas or mallets--whatever your chosen instrument. I'll acquaint you with the rudimentary tools you'll need to take what you hear and mimic it on your instrument, then develop that idea into your own, unique creation. I'll use whatever combination of the means of communicating music--written, read, heard or created on the spot--that you as the student need in order to keep you on the path to achieving your goals. *** Travel Equipment *** Student should provide the necessary equipment for in-house lessons, including the appropriate sticks and/or mallets, as well as a notebook designated as their lesson journal. Some sort of audio/video recording device is a big plus! *** Specialties *** I have performance experience in a wide variety of settings specializing in live stage orchestras and large-scale production show performance. I've also studied with some of the industry's legends and have an applied knowledge from that experience that isn't easily replicated by book study alone.