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Drum Lessons w/pro drummer (Webster U alum.) (Webster Groves)
offered in person
offered virtually
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Credentials:
-B.A. degree from Webster University (2002) including 4 years of weekly private lessons from Kevin Gianino, 3 years in the Jazz Combos
-Director of the Brazilian ensemble at UMSL's drum set and world percussion camp
-Over 30 years playing experience
-21 years experience teaching drum lessons in Webster Groves focusing on snare drum technique, hand percussion, and drum set in the styles of rock, jazz, funk, country, gospel, New Orleans second line, hip hop, Latin (primarily Afro-Cuban and Brazilian styles), metal, reggae and more
-Taught over 6,000 drum lessons
-Taught snare drum and drum set technique at Christ Light of the Nations grade school from Oct. 2012 to March 2020 when the school was permanently closed in the midst of the covid pandemic
-Performed over 2,000 concerts on drum set or hand percussion with artists including Jimmy Lee Kennett, El Monstero, Melvin Seals (Jerry Garcia Band), Vince Herman (Leftover Salmon), Doug Wimbish (Living Colour), Chicago Samba, Sean Canan's Voodoo Players, Samba Bom, and many others
-Founded and leads Confluencia, the St. Louis-based Samba batucada bateria (percussion group) known for its performances at the Music at the Intersection festival and the Old Rock House
-Performed at many of the top venues in the St. Louis area including multiple performances at Riverport (Hollywood Casino Amphitheater), The Pageant, Delmar Hall, Mississippi Nights, The Venice Cafe, etc.
The lessons I provide focus on three main areas: drum set coordination/vocabulary development focusing on grooves, fills, and soloing, rudimental snare drum technique, and reading rhythms for one voice. Lessons touch on concepts including but not limited to time-keeping, dynamics, healthy grip/technique/posture, active listening, transcription, and improvisation. I draw from my sizable library of method books to custom tailor curriculum to each student's individual needs. Also, I have dozens of references available from former and current students as well as from the former principal of Christ Light of the Nations grade school. And there is no minimum age requirement.
I also provide introductory instruction on the following hand/latin percussion instruments: congas, bongos, timbales, cajon, djembe, shekere, ganza, caxixi, surdo, rebolo, repinique, agogo, triangulo, pandeiro, tamborim, the bones, spoons, riq, tar (frame drum), cabasa, New Orleans-style tambourine, tamburello, and bodhran.
Rates: $45 per hour and $30 for a half hour lesson
Confluencia performing at the Old Rock House:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_qOV0672tMw&pp=0gcJCR4Bo7VqN5tD
Info about UMSL's drum set and world percussion camp in 2026:
https://www.umsl.edu/music/summercamps/percussion-camp.html
Thank you for considering hiring me for drum lessons!