Fairfax Station, VA Percussion Lessons

about the BUSINESS should they have professional career related questions.

I also teach Studio session recording drumming techniques should you wish to become a top session recording drummer !!!

I have been around the world working with MAJOR famous recording artists touring out of Washington, DC and Los Angeles.

I teach 1/2 hour lessons and/or 1 hour lessons.

During each lesson, I give you plenty of material to practice over a week€™s time. WE WILL HAVE FUN.

Not many teachers in this area have my experience nor credentials. I love the drums more than anything and my enthusiasm should be evident during our lessons. Several of my students have gone on to major music colleges such as Berklee. One of my students is currently touring and working with Linkin Park. Another student is currently touring with Fall Out Boy.

When you take lessons from me, you will develop the skills to play in your school band with confidence, start your own band, or play at an advanced professional level.

I am great with young children as well as students of all ages. Additionally, I have experience with students requiring special needs.

I have all the patience in the world, remember, I was in your shoes years ago when I had a dream of learning how to play the drums !!!!

HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON !!!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Large, private studio with all the equipment you will need to absorb the "pearls of wisdom" I will give you during your private one-on-one private lesson. Comfortable waiting room outside studio. Drum set, practice pad set, PA for playing any song you wish to learn loud enough so you can hear it over the studio drums.

*** Specialties ***
Drum set technique, snare drum technique, reading studies. Rock, Country, Jazz, symphonic, marching band etc., Studio session recording drumming techniques.

I teach both the MUSIC and the BUSINESS, for the aspiring or current professional.

ind out their goals and then show them the fastest and best way to reach those goals. As long as you follow instructions and practice, you can expect amazing results! Most of my students are in the top bands, make All-State auditioned groups, get highest ratings at Solo & Ensemble contests and know how to play!Even when time is a concern, I can still help you move forward. I always take where students are and show them how to get to the next step. I can move at any rate the student wants to move. I am committed to having them have fun and get better!

*** Studio Equipment ***
2 Drumsets, Timpani, Vibraphone, Xylophone, Bells, Snare Drums, marching drum pads, Congas, Timbales, Bongos, Auxiliary Percussion (too many to list) and also TV/Audio equipment to help with playing with music while we do lessons!

*** Specialties ***
I have a series of Rhythm books that are used in multiple schools. I also am well-versed in Drumset, Concert Percussion, Marching Percussion, Steel Drums, and Mallet Percussion

and New Jersey and has taught at the secondary level in both states. In addition to both instrumental and choral ensembles at Penn State, Thomas was a student leader in the Penn State Blue Band and a member of the brass section of the Cadets of Bergen County Drum and Bugle Corps in 1993 and 1994. He served as an Associate Director of the Warren Junior Military Band of Youngstown, Ohio from 1995 to 2005. He also served as a visual staff member for the renowned North Penn Marching Knights of Lansdale, PA for one season in 2004.

He is a current adjudicator with Drum Corps International and Cavalcade of Bands. He is a member of MENC, PMEA, NJMEA, ASCAP, CASA, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and the National Band Association. He appeared in the Marquis Who's Who Among American Educators in 2004 and 2005, an honor rarely bestowed upon teachers, as students who appear in the Who's Who Among American High School Students must nominate them. He currently is a music teacher at the Center for Performing and Fine Arts of the PA Leadership Charter School in West Chester, PA and resides in Downingtown, PA with his wife and two sons.

Thomas will happily work with students on the autism spectrum or students with ADD.

*** Lesson Details ***
My lessons are tailored to the needs and interests of each student. If a student is involved in school music ensembles, we will work with their lesson books from school in addition to material outside of the books, including SmartMusic, Noteflight, and teacher-created materials. We will focus on building proper tone production and individual technique - something that often is difficult to learn in a large ensemble setting.

I am capable of starting a beginner student on any band instrument including percussion, any classical string instrument (violin, viola, cello, string bass), and piano. I can begin a student on drum set and work with them through their first method book, but I would then recommend they find a specialized drum set teacher after a period of six to twelve months.

For advanced students, I work from selected conservatory etude books on developing advanced skills and can work with students on audition pieces for honors bands/orchestras or college auditions.

My lessons are a half-hour once a week, with the option of working for 45 minutes or 60 minutes.

*** Specialties ***
music, band, orchestra, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, violin, viola, cello, string bass, piano, Percussion
classical, jazz improvisation

lege years and beyond I served as a percussion instructor and assistant band director at Morgan State University. As part of the Morgan State University Magnificent Marching Machine I served as a instructional leader in music and performance mentor for the team. I taught part time as a percussion instructor at Milford Mill High School giving individual lessons for over 10 years.

Musical inspiration is an important element to the refinement of my craft. A few personal musical influences are Buddy Rich, Max Roach, Neil Peart (Rush), Dennis Chambers, (Santana), George Gray (Roberta Flack), Ricky Wellman (Miles Davis), Quinton Mack-Davis (Rare Essence) and Michael Bland (Prince).

*** Lesson Details ***
Within the first three months of lessons student will gain a strong foundation of sight reading and basic drum techniques in both rudiment studies and playing the drum set. My style of teaching music consist of breaking each skill down into chunks and allowing students to learn using their individual learning styles. I utilize rewards for perfect practice and each lesson contains a safe, fun learning atmosphere with students exhibiting in their best behavior.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lessons in store front studio, drum kit provided

*** Travel Equipment ***
I will bring a practice pad. Students should have a drum set.

*** Specialties ***
Jazz, Funk, pop, and classical.

nding music theory are two important subjects that I offer. Along with that, a student can focus on any musical style from classical to jazz plus other important aspects like composing, reading and recording music.

I am willing to share my professional experience with any student who wants to become a player!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Steinway Grand Piano,
Electric Piano
Electric Bass
Synthesizers
French Horn
Trumpets

*** Travel Equipment ***
I bring music books to augment the student's library. However, students must provide their own instruments.

*** Specialties ***
Suzuki method for the 3 year old plus my father's method for ages 5 and older. After that, I teach according to the student's abilities and their goals.

ademy, and also maintain a private clientele. Well into a thousand lessons taught, students have stayed with me for up to 7 years. You, the student, will gain all the experience I have gained from my 20 years of study, performance, and instruction.

Performing with various bands in the 2000's, I pinpointed my style and mastered my technique that gave me many performance opportunities regionally and nationally, noting most current act U2 tribute Vertigo USA.

I am co-founder of the music licensing production company Blue Shade Music, co-writing with astute musicians in the Chicago area for music libraries in Florida and California currently.

With national and international touring experience, I was featured in an exclusive interview for Online Drummer in August of 2011 sharing my knowledge and experience of music and drums.

Thank you for reading, and I hope to have a fun and educational time with you!

*** Lesson Details ***
Practicing everyday with an occasional day off is very important in the student's progress. I always say 10 minutes is better than 0 minutes.

For DRUM lessons, the student can expect to learn:
*to read music notation and music charts
*to read drum notation
*songs by real bands
*timekeeping via a metronome
*hand technique and foot technique
*rudiments
*all styles of music
*double bass
*drum grooves and drum fills
*marching band/concert band material (if involved in school)

For PIANO lessons, the student can expect to learn:
*to read music notation
*to read music charts/lead sheets
*music theory
*intervals
*chords and inversions
*chord progressions
*scales
*fingering
*styles of blues, jazz, pop, rock, and traditional
*songs you wish to learn

For GUITAR + BASS lessons, the student can expect to learn:
*to learn to read music notation
*to learn to read a music chart
*music theory
*scales
*chords
*chord progressions
*fingering
*styles of pop, rock, and blues
*songs you wish to learn

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide no equipment. The student must have an acoustic or electric drum set, a practice pad, a music stand, a metronome, sticks, curriculum book(s), headphones, an acoustic or electric guitar, and an acoustic or electric piano.

*** Specialties ***
Rock, Funk, Blues, RnB, Soul, Country, Jazz, Latin, Pop, Metal

**Travel available for in home lessons up to 15 miles pending location, scheduling, and availability. 2 weeks or more notice is required for discontinuation of lessons.**

each student individually, catering to specific goals and needs that we will decide upon and plan together. Some students want to seriously study a craft. Others want a hobby that will be fun and interesting. I have had success teaching to both, and will impart basic fundamentals and musicianship to all types of students.

I see my primary job as keeping the student inspired, intellectually fed and sprinting in the right direction. The student's job is to do the work. Daily practice is essential to move forward in any craft.

*** Studio Equipment ***
My Brooklyn studio is a dedicated music space with two drum sets, PA, amplifiers and recording capabilities.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I will provide books, a drum pad, sticks or mallets, an iPod with two sets of headphones, and a metronome. Additionally, I can bring small hand drums, special instruments and percussion that might be needed for specialty lessons. I expect students to have some sort of pad or drum to practice on at home; a full drum set is not necessary.

*** Specialties ***
Drum set (rock, jazz, R&B, folk, pop, electro, Afro-Cuban)
Snare drum
Timpani
Two- and four-mallets (marimba, vibraphone, xylophone)
Accessory percussion
Frame drums
Traditional samba
Afro-Cuban hand drums
Japanese taiko

the intermediate levels the most. I enjoy watching people discover things for the first time, and in my teaching I really do my best to craft my lessons to the needs of the students. My primary aim in teaching is that I would cultivate in my students a love for music and learning. With these two things in place, a student can go on to be and learn anything.

Join me and my studio. We'll have a great time, and we'll get you to your goals while we're enjoying the journey of music together!!

of choice. I utilize a variety of literature, both classical and contemporary, and techniques in order to meet the needs of each individual student in an effort to customize their learning experience. I hope you will give me the chance to work with you on your musical journey!