69 Young Ave, Cedar Grove NJ, 07009
Instruments:Drums, Percussion
Styles:Jazz, Rock – Alternative, Blues, Kids
Levels:Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Experience:20 years
Rate:$60 / hr
Personal Statement
In addition to being a graduate of In addition to being a graduate of Berkelee College of Music, I have had the good fortune to have studied under some of the best drummers and master educators in the world — including Joe Morello, Tommy Igoe, Alan Dawson, Sal La Rocca, Joe Hunt, Adam Nussbaum and Dom Famularo. Like these great talents, I enjoy sharing my knowledge and passion for drumming, not only through performing, but also through teaching. My mentors laid the groundwork for both my drumming and teaching style by bringing their live performance and touring experiences to our lessons. This is a practice that I have continued with my students. I find this to be important not only because it builds the foundation for a strong drummer but because it also gives the student great insight into what it takes to become a successful working musician.
My students come to me for different reasons….some of them want to learn drums so they can play along with their favorite music while others want to start a band with their friends or play in the school band. Whether you want to play drums as a hobby or play professionally, I could work with you on your musical goals. Understanding music is definitely important but it is also important for a student to learn how to get along with different types of people, market their talent, grow confidence in their ability, stay humble as their skill level grows, and, most importantly, how to find balance between life and music. My goal is to work on these areas with my students along with the music. As for the music, I teach the, often mundane but necessary, rudiments of drumming by using creative exercises developed based on a student’s musical interests. Ultimately, my quest is to unlock some of the mysteries of drumming for my students and introduce them to different styles of music, but I can’t stress enough that the most important part of playing music is having FUN.
I am proud of some of the accomplishments of my students which include:
> Winner of the PASIC (percussive arts society international convention) High School drum set competition
> Playing in the Trenton State big band
> Playing in the band Cash Cash currently signed to Universal records
> Playing in the band Hart Attack touring with the School of Rock
> Playing in the High School Jazz Band,Concert band and Marching Band
> Going on to teach their own students . Like these great talents, I enjoy sharing my knowledge and passion for drumming, not only through performing, but also through teaching. My mentors laid the groundwork for both my drumming and teaching style by bringing their live performance and touring experiences to our lessons. This is a practice that I have continued with my students. I find this to be important not only because it builds the foundation for a strong drummer but because it also gives the student great insight into what it takes to become a successful working musician.
My students come to me for different reasons….some of them want to learn drums so they can play along with their favorite music while others want to start a band with their friends or play in the school band. Whether you want to play drums as a hobby or play professionally, I could work with you on your musical goals. Understanding music is definitely important but it is also important for a student to learn how to get along with different types of people, market their talent, grow confidence in their ability, stay humble as their skill level grows, and, most importantly, how to find balance between life and music. My goal is to work on these areas with my students along with the music. As for the music, I teach the, often mundane but necessary, rudiments of drumming by using creative exercises developed based on a student’s musical interests. Ultimately, my quest is to unlock some of the mysteries of drumming for my students and introduce them to different styles of music, but I can’t stress enough that the most important part of playing music is having FUN.
I am proud of some of the accomplishments of my students which include:
> Winner of the PASIC (percussive arts society international convention) High School drum set competition
> Playing in the Trenton State big band
> Playing in the band Cash Cash currently signed to Universal records
> Playing in the band Hart Attack touring with the School of Rock
> Playing in the High School Jazz Band,Concert band and Marching Band
> Going on to teach their own students
Education / Training
Bachelor of Performance Berklee College Of Music
Private study under some of the best drummers and master educators in the world — including Joe Morello, Tommy Igoe, Alan Dawson, Sal La Rocca, Joe Hunt, Adam Nussbaum and Dom Famularo
Video
Tom Drum solo–just copy and paste the link