FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
1/2 hour lesson: $40 1-hour lesson: $70
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Generally, I like to first ask the student their specific music interests and what the student’s and parent’s (where applicable) goals are for their particular lessons. We then work together to achieve their goals while building confidence and the techniques necessary to play in a well-rounded way in the musical styles of their choice. I am a believer in creating a practice schedule that includes all of the material covered in each lesson as well as other long term goals that the student may be hoping to achieve over time. Usually a lesson for a new student will include warm-up exercises, review of previous experience and new material which may include song-writing, reading or rudiment training. Each lesson is unique and geared towards the specific student.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Nick has been playing drums for 20 years, since the age of 9. The Connecticut native has taken private lessons with various teachers since he began playing, including notable drummers Tim Alexander (Primus), Jaimoe (The Allman Brothers Band), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Phillip Fish Fisher (Fishbone). Nick was also part of the University of Connecticut marching band while in college. He specializes in rock, funk, and blues drumming but also has been trained in jazz, Latin, heavy metal, punk rock and world drums. After being voted 'Best Blues Band in Connecticut' at the Connecticut Music Awards for 4 years in a row (from 2013-2016), Nick's band, Balkun Brothers, was most recently awarded 'Best Rock Band in New England' at the 2017 New England Music Awards. Nick independently produced and released their debut album in 2015 entilted, 'ReDrova', which was well received and rose to #1 on the Roots Music Report Blues-Rock album charts and was #5 on the Roots Music Report overall Blues charts. Balkun Brothers signed with European label Dixiefrog Records in 2015 and released their much-anticipated second album, 'Devil On TV', with Dixiefrog in May of 2017. Nick has toured extensively throughout the United States from coast to coast and has also completed five European tours since 2015, performing in Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and France. Nick owns and manages his own recording studio, Nük Lab Recording Studios, in Griswold, CT. He has produced, engineered and recorded a number of bands and solo artists since opening his studio. When he is not on the road touring, Nick has been teaching drums and music production to students for over 10 years and endorses Treehouse Custom Drums, SJC Drums and JH Audio.