Monroe, WA Drum Lessons

I've been a drummer and percussionist for over 20 years. I've studied African rhythms with Ghanan drummers, and have taken many years of tabla lessons at the Ali Akbar College. As a drumset player, I've studied with many of the best teachers alive, and can teach any style from jazz to hip-hop to punk and onward.

Want to be able to play your favorite cover songs with your friends? Or become the next drumming sensation? Let's make it happen! I have 17 years of experience teaching students of all ages, levels, ambitions and genres.

Beginning to Intermediate Drum lessons and beats that are actually used in today's and yesteryear's "hit songs".

It's no secret, drums is the backbone or "foundation" to any hit song.

I break down drumming to its most basic rudiments so that you will grow by leaps and bounds instead of just crawling along.

You have to walk before you can run so getting it right initially is very important to moving forward and getting you playing your favorite songs quickly and accurately..

I have been teaching drums since 2003, and I start my students using The Drumset Musician, by Rick Mattingly and Rod Morgenstein. I also choose materials, from my extensive library, to address the needs of each individual. I am familiar with rock, country, blues, jazz, and world grooves, as well as marching band and orchestra. I teach the components of and purposes of voices within the set, proper grip, reading music, coordination, and feel. I also teach students how to analyze and map songs, so they can excel in a band setting. If a student is wanting to be in marching and symphonic bands, I can prepare them for those pursuits, as well. I have two sets in my studio, as well as abundant hand and auxiliary percussion instruments.

Students can expect a fun approach to drums in our lessons. I always tailor the curriculum to each individual and make sure there is never a dull moment, all while keeping track of progress as we set goals together. From beginner to advanced, my experience can help anyone down the path toward becoming a better drummer, whether it's picking up sticks for the first time or preparing for a college audition.

I have a Drumset at my studio and can get you started with the rudiments and basic drumming skills.

Professional teacher since 2008. Started with a snare drum in fourth grade and never stopped! Alumnus of University of Washington (BM, cum laude, Jazz Studies) + Roosevelt High School. I make sure to teach students what they are most interested in while also providing them with a strong musical foundation they can apply to any path.

My teaching technique is learner-centered. I work with students to help them build a strong vocabulary of drum rudiments and have them apply their newly acquired drumming knowledge to the songs and genres that interest them most. I have found this to be ideal for those at the beginning and intermediate levels. For the advanced drummers out there, I may be able to assist with some minor application of technique or perhaps deviate from standard drumming practices to acquire a fuller awareness of the body's interaction with not only the drumsticks and drum set, but how to maintain total postural awareness.

I have more than 6 years of experience teaching private and group drum lessons. I have prepared my students for auditions, rock band concerts, recording their own music, and their school symphonic, jazz, and marching bands. I have come up with many small innovations in my teaching experience, like special grid sheets that make it really easy to learn to read notation in a visual-spatial way. I like to incorporate beatboxing and drum machines as tools to make drum practice fun and easy.

I started out with a small drum on my 2nd Christmas and never stopped loving it! You'll find Drum Lessons unique with me, first, because not only are you learning, but also I'm learning with you! Secondly, since I am a new teacher, I've had time to study and master what to teach my students. I know for a fact that with my lessons, you will see improvement in your playing almost immediately! Lastly, my drum lessons are particularly unique because I've been with some of the top instructors in the country and basically molded all I've learned from them into one curriculum! Please, if you have any desire to drum, contact me, and I know you won't regret it!