FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
My rate is $50 for a 30-minute lesson and $100 for a 60-minute lesson. A limited number of sliding-scale spots are available — please feel free to ask. Online lessons are just as effective as in-person sessions, and easy to set up: all you need is a computer, tablet, or phone with a camera, plus Google Meet or FaceTime. Recommended student supplies — practice pad, drumsticks, metronome, headphones, and a lesson book. I'm happy to help you choose and purchase any of these..
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Here's how it usually goes: 1. A quick conversation first. You message me with your experience level and the styles or goals you have in mind, and we figure out whether a 30- or 60-minute lesson and in-person or online is the best fit. No pressure — just getting oriented. 2. A first lesson to find your starting point. We'll play, I'll get a feel for where you are, and we'll talk about what you actually want — whether that's nailing a specific song, building solid fundamentals, or going deeper into groove and feel. 3. A personalized plan. From there I map out a clear path and a simple practice plan, so you always know what to work on between lessons. Everything is tailored to you — total beginner, returning player, or experienced drummer leveling up. 3. Ongoing lessons with real feedback. We build steadily — timing, technique, groove, coordination, and the styles you care about — with direct, encouraging feedback so you keep making progress you can hear and feel. Lessons can cover anything from stick control and reading to advanced groove concepts and pro studio recording technique. Wherever you're starting, the goal is the same: real skill, and enjoying the process of getting there. Message me and we'll set up your first lesson.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I'm a professional drummer and university-trained music educator (Music Performance & Education degree, University of Colorado Denver), a former Buddhist monk, and an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) in Positive Psychology and mindfulness. I've spent decades touring and recording internationally across a wide range of styles — jazz, hip hop, acid jazz, punk, rock, blast beats, country, blues, Americana, and funk — with a special focus on Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, African, reggae, and ska rhythms. I teach because connecting with my students, and watching them overcome challenges as they develop the ability to express themselves musically, is a profound experience for us both. I love seeing them grow stronger as they build self-confidence and creative courage. Music is my lifelong passion, and I've seen again and again that cultivating the creativity and artistry involved in mastering an instrument is an invaluable experience that positively affects every part of a student's life.