In-Studio One-on-One Lessons
Lessons are held exclusively at the Ventura Drums studio (nearest crossroads: Cole & Overland). Travel to a student’s home is not available, though virtual lessons can be arranged as needed.
Rates
30-Minute Private Lesson: $40
60-Minute Private Lesson: $70
Note: Rates do not include the occasional cost of lesson materials like books and sticks.
Studio Policies
Scheduling: Lessons are scheduled and billed on a monthly basis. After-school time slots (3:00 PM and later) are reserved for weekly students only. Students requiring schedule flexibility (such as bi-weekly lessons) must select a morning or mid-day time slot. Your assigned slot is yours and will not be moved unless you request a change.
Payment: Fees are due at the first lesson of the month or within the first week. An administrative late fee of $15 will be applied if payment is not received by the 15th of the calendar month. Accepted payment methods include Cash, Check, CashApp, and Venmo. Credit/debit cards and PayPal are not accepted.
Rescheduling: Due to high student volume, rescheduling after-school slots is generally not possible, though I accommodate whenever space allows. Morning and mid-day lessons offer more flexibility for rescheduling.
Cancellations: Lesson payments are non-refundable. After-school cancellations are never credited. Morning and mid-day slots can be credited if cancelled at least 24 hours in advance. (This privilege may be revoked if repeated cancellations occur). Any cancellation initiated by me will always be credited.
Termination: Discontinuing lessons requires a full month's notice. Full lesson dues for the current billing cycle remain required if you choose to terminate your slot mid-month.
Teaching Philosophy
My life as a musician began in public school playing the clarinet in the 5th grade. I eventually quit the school band program, and at age thirteen, pivoted completely to the drum kit and began taking private lessons. My parents wanted me to prove my dedication before buying a kit, so for the first two months, I took my lessons home and practiced entirely on phone books. After eight years of playing, I transitioned into teaching and have been doing it ever since, alongside my career as a studio and touring drummer.
Every instructor brings something unique to the table. Rather than just imposing standard textbook routines, my goal is to give students the fundamental tools—technique, literacy, and stylistic adaptability—so they can build the self-discipline to find their own identity on the instrument. However, rote knowledge of an instrument is hollow without passion. I view my main job as helping each individual student find what inspires them most, keeping them on a path centered around the music they love—not just what I think they should play. I also emphasize musical diversity and cultural history, introducing students to the roots of the music they enjoy and exposing them to new styles they will appreciate.
What I Teach
I have studied, performed, and taught all major Western styles on the drum kit. While most of my professional playing is rooted in rock and R&B, my experience extends into jazz, country, Latin, Afro, and hip-hop. I tailor my curriculum to each student's needs, using an open method that explores music from the root to the branches.
Beginner to Intermediate Studies: Students develop fundamentals in timekeeping, sticking technique, and sight-reading using both the practice pad and the kit. Lessons combine custom beat exercises with classic and contemporary songs that explore practical techniques. I regularly transcribe songs chosen by the student as they progress.
Advanced Studies: As students advance, we tackle technical concepts like the Moeller stroke, beat displacement, and linear playing. We also place a heavy emphasis on real-world playing skills: developing "feel," intuiting melodic progressions, understanding song structure, and learning how to recover from an error instantly without losing the tempo.
My goal is to teach you the skills required to be a musician in the broadest sense. These professional attributes are life skills that apply to any instrument and most aspects of life, far beyond the stage or studio.
School Band & Percussion: I also instruct marching snare and concert percussion for students in school band programs. All reading exercises and transcriptions adhere strictly to Percussive Arts Society (PAS) standards.
A Note for Prospective Students
In music, the tradition of the craft is passed down directly from mentor to disciple. While some look for university degrees or certificates to qualify an instructor, music is a realm where real-world experience is paramount. Few of the professionals I studied under held college music degrees, yet they were immensely successful, top-tier players.
I mention this to assure parents and prospective students that I am not a casually trained musician teaching short-cuts or technically deficient methods. I have trained under rigorous, master-class instructors and continuously work to sharpen my own skills, compose custom exercises, and study new teaching materials.
I encourage prospective students to ask any questions they have about my methods, or simply sit down with me for a trial lesson. My experience has brought me incredible success, and I am confident that my students will become great drummers under my instruction if they apply themselves.
