Nova Zaii
$100/hour
Estimated price
Drum type
Responds in about 4 hours
Introduction
*Currently offering personalized virtual guided instruction only. Worldwide.*
My name is Everett, I am also referred to as Nova Zaii as a professional drummer, music producer, artist, inventor, and educator. I have been teaching private drum and music production lessons for over a decade, and have trained at the University of Michigan obtaining two degrees in Performing Arts Technology and Jazz Studies - Drum Performance.
I am thoroughly passionate about passing on wisdom from my own daily work as a highly driven and focused performing artist and entrepreneur. I am a founding member of the band The JuJu Exchange which has released jazz-fusion-electronic music since 2017. Our first album, “Exchange”, quickly reached the number one Jazz streaming position upon its release. We have performed at major jazz festivals and venues including San Francisco Jazz Fest, TEDx, Windy City Live (television), New York Winter Jazz Fest, Chicago Jazz Fest, San Jose Jazz Fest, and many more. I have also performed and recorded with artists including Chance the Rapper, Derrick Hodge, aja monet, Jamila Woods, Vic Mensa, Prefuse73, Tank and the Bangas, among other visionary artists. It will be my honor to deliver wisdom and guidance as to how to hone your drumming or music production based on my years of experience as a professional.
Overview
Serves Chicago, IL
Background checked
1 employee
11 years in business
Business hours
SunClosedMon12:00 am - 11:59 pm
Payment methods
This pro accepts payments via Apple Pay, Cash, Check, PayPal, Stripe, Venmo, and Zelle.
Social media
Projects and media
15 photos
Projects and media
15 photos
Specialties
Interested musical styles
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Reviews
Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, value, and responsiveness.
Exceptional 5.0
7 reviews
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Read reviews that mention:
Angie M.
Jan 14, 2025
My son has taken lessons with Nova Zaii for 6 years and has gotten so much out of it. The level of enthusiasm and joy that Nova Zaii brings to each lesson makes the learning process enjoyable, whether it is in person or virtual. He really meets the students where they are at and encourages them to work to the best of their ability. He has been a positive force through my son’s many evolutions in his drumming and his life.
Zac And Penny J.
Jan 12, 2025
Our son Henry has been studying with Nova Zaii for 8 years, starting when Henry was ten years old. During that time, Henry not only learned the fundamentals and rudiments of drumming, but also about music production and creative ways to analyze and think about sound. Nova Zaii has consistently been professional (on time, flexible with schedules, and prepared with lesson plans to fit the student's custom curriculum) and as importantly he has been incredibly positive: enthusiastic and encouraging, not only as an instructor, but also as a human being.
Nova Zaii has been able to teach core lessons through a variety of song examples (using The Beatles, surf music, hip-hop, jazz, and even video game theme songs as teaching examples). We consider him to be a mentor in the truest sense of the word, offering guidance in drum lessons but also as a sounding board for our student's frustrations and as an amplifier for his successes. We cannot recommend him enough.
Oliver R.
Jan 11, 2025
Working with Nova Zaii meant having a teacher who balanced developing my technical abilities as a drummer while inspiring my creativity as an artist. Lessons included learning new fills, listening to different albums, and conversing about the creative process. While helping develop my skills as a jazz drummer, Zaii also allowed me to explore other genres of music learning some of my favorite tunes, such as "Me and Your Mama" by Childish Gambino. Navo Zaii was a fantastic teacher and an instrumental part of my drumming journey.
Henry J.
4 weeks ago
I had Everett as a teacher for about 9 years(when I was 9-18) and he was one of the most influential role models in my life growing up. I not only learned how to play the drums and to not let my passion die out, but also about perseverance and work ethic. He taught me how to manage my own time and energy to complete a goal better than any of my other teachers did. His positive energy is infectious and shaped my outlook on life to make sure I had hope even when I felt I could progress any farther. When I felt I hit a wall he pushed me over it and helped me do things I never thought I could. He is by far the greatest teacher I’ve ever had and I wouldn’t change anything about his mentorship.
Reese T.
4 weeks ago
I've been a student of Nova Zaii's for nine years, and I can attest to the fact that he excels as a teacher and person. With his help, I discovered an instrument and community that I love and am willing to devote my life to. If I enter a lesson thinking I can't get anything out of it, he manages to prove me wrong, and can seemingly find a source of inspiration anywhere. I also really like his teaching style: once a student gets to the point where they know what they're doing, he allows them to choose their curriculum, figure out what kind of drummer they want to be, and guide their own growth towards mastery on their own terms.
Credentials
Background Check
Everett Reid