My teaching philosophy is to help the students develop into the following:

1. Better Person
2. Better Musician
3. Better Percussionist
4. Better Drummer

Of course, making sure the student enjoys what he/she is doing is important and something I strive for as well as motivating, encouraging, and instill a high level of achievement. All of these things I believe lead to good progress and growth in students. With ultimate concentration otherwise called “Mental Tenacity”, you can achieve beyond what others may not. A wise man once said, “The head is more important than the hands”. That’s not to say technique should be dismissed or sound quality forgotten. Really, quality of sound is predicated around technique. However, you start by learning how to hold the sticks/mallets, the strokes, rhythms and pitches, motion (flow) and then start to train your brain to think in many different ways. Once a certain level of technique is attained, then quality of sound becomes the foreground of your studies coupled with time spent building your “Mental Tenacity”. Through the rumble strips encountered, a period of “Trial and Learning” occurs, which is necessary to reach that mountain of Utopia that all desire. For a musician (percussionist) to “Achieve” they must give their “Personal Best” every time there is an opportunity to play their instrument.

I believe that sight-reading is a key development to any musician’s success and should be worked into the student’s daily routine and lesson. To increase efficiency in a teaching studio and expose your students to new developments in repertoire, technique, different styles of music, and history; I like to hold a weekly masterclass.
A masterclass can also be used as an outlet for students to perform and get feedback, mock orchestral auditions, playing techniques, and life/job skills. In the percussion ensemble it is important for students to be knowledgeable about new and old music, so when programming music for concerts, I feel that variety is essential for the young musician’s development and for the music patrons that support what we do. As a teacher I like to be hands on with my students through demonstrating in the lesson or masterclass and by performing recitals. The most important ingredient applicable to all fields of study is a “Hard Work Ethic”. I strongly believe that a student who works hard no matter what the talent level will succeed.