I offer private drum set instruction for students of all ages and experience levels, from complete beginners to advanced players.

My own teachers include Alan Dawson, Ian Froman, Gary Rissmiller, and Ron Reiterman, and their influence continues to shape my approach to sound, time, and musicality. At the same time, I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all method. Every student arrives with different goals, abilities, and musical interests, and the teaching always adapts to the individual.

Some students want to play in the school band. Others want to start a rock group, prepare for auditions, learn jazz, or simply enjoy playing music at home. My job is to meet each student where they are and help them move forward in a clear, encouraging, and practical way.

What We Work On

Lessons may include:

• Basic technique and coordination

• Time, groove, and feel

• Reading and interpretation

• Rudiments and stick control

• Playing along with recordings

• Song forms and structure

• Jazz, rock, and contemporary styles

• Practice habits and motivation

• Sound, tuning, and equipment basics

The goal is always the same: help the student become a more confident, musical, and independent drummer.

Beginning Students

I especially enjoy working with beginners. The early stages of drumming are about building coordination, confidence, and excitement about making music. With the right structure and encouragement, students can make real progress quickly and start having fun behind the kit.

Lessons for beginners focus on:

• Clear, simple fundamentals

• Playing real grooves right away

• Listening and musical awareness

• Building good practice habits

• Keeping the process enjoyable and motivating

Teaching Experience

• More than 40 years of performing and teaching experience

• Private instruction for students of all ages

• Work with college students in both curricular and co-curricular settings

• Drum set instruction connected with university ensembles and programs

Lesson Format

• One-on-one private lessons

• Weekly or biweekly scheduling

• In-person or remote options available

For lesson inquiries, use the contact form or email directly to discuss scheduling and availability.

Sessions and Gear

I’m available for both in-person recording sessions at my home studio and remote drum tracks for songwriters, bands, and producers.

Whether you’re working on a simple acoustic demo, a full indie-rock arrangement, a jazz record, or something more experimental, my goal is always the same: serve the song, get a great feel, and deliver tracks that sit naturally in your mix.

I’ve spent more than forty years playing in studios, theaters, churches, and clubs, and I’m comfortable working:

• With detailed charts or simple demos

• In traditional styles or open, experimental settings

• With click tracks or without

• On tight deadlines

If you send a reference track or rough mix, I’ll aim for something that feels musical, supportive, and mix-ready.

Recording Options

In-House Sessions
Small, focused sessions can be recorded at my home setup. This works especially well for:

• Singer-songwriter projects

• Jazz and acoustic music

• Indie and roots-based tracks

• Overdubs for existing recordings

Remote Sessions
Send me your track, chart, or demo and I’ll record drum parts here and deliver:

• Multitrack WAV files

• A quick reference mix

• Alternate takes if needed

Turnaround is usually quick, and I’m happy to communicate throughout the process to make sure the part fits your vision.

Drum Sound & Approach

I focus on natural, musical drum sounds that blend easily into a mix. The goal isn’t an over-processed or hyper-modern sound unless the music calls for it. Most sessions use:

• Warm, open-sounding acoustic drum kits

• Traditional single-ply heads

• Light or moderate muffling as needed

• Cymbals chosen for warmth and blend

This approach works especially well for:

• Jazz and acoustic music

• Indie rock and folk

• Singer-songwriter recordings

• Theater and soundtrack work

• Roots, blues, and Americana

If you have a specific reference sound, I’m happy to adjust tuning, heads, cymbals, or setup to match the track.

Recording Setup

My current session rig is simple, reliable, and designed for clean, natural drum tones:

Microphones

• sE8 small-diaphragm condensers (overheads)

• Shure SM57 (snare)

• Shure Beta 52 (bass drum)

• Sennheiser e604 (toms)

Signal Chain

• Zoom LiveTrak L-20

• Logic Pro recording and editing

This setup provides clear, balanced multitrack recordings that are easy to mix and shape to your project.

Core Drum Gear

I use a small collection of professional, studio-quality acoustic drums chosen for warmth, clarity, and musicality. Depending on the session, I can provide:

• Compact jazz and acoustic setups

• Medium-sized kits for indie and rock

• A wide selection of cymbals for different textures and dynamics

• Multiple snare drums for different tones, from dry and articulate to full and resonant

If you have a specific reference sound, I can tailor the setup to fit the track.

Booking

To discuss a session, send:

• A demo or rough mix

• Tempo and feel notes

• Any references or artist comparisons

• Deadline (if applicable)

From there we can talk about approach, sound, and scheduling.