New webpage!

http://drumsbymark.webs.com/

Why me as your teacher?

The craft of Drumming has a rich heritage of disciplines; both stylistically and technical. Inexperienced and unschooled drum teachers today have produced multitudes of drummers who are either unable to read music, or suffer from injuries in their lower back and hands as a result of poor technique.Please consider me as your first choice in your selection of a drum teacher. I have over 20 years of live and recording experience and I am a graduate of Percussion from Musicians Institute, Hollywood, California. I still consider myself a pupil of the drumset and understand both the frustration and triumphs. My prices are not only competitive, but a quite a deal!

$15.00 per lesson +tax (You come to me)
$17.50 per lesson + tax (I come to you)

Materials and expectations

* Sticks- For small children, I recommend size 7A. For pre-teens, teens and adults, size is a matter of personal preference; the most common is 5A, 5B, 2B

*Blank sheet music paper (staff with five lines & four spaces)

* A folder to hold all handouts. Handouts are free but there will be a .25 charge for all lost sheets.
*A small assignment journal to write homework in. This is mandatory.

*There may be a need to purchase additional books, depending on level, interests and skill of the student.

*Practicing and having a positive attitude is a must. Practice time should be at least ½ to an hour a day –five times a week.

* I recommend owning a practice pad. It is not mandatory, but very useful and easy on the ears (both for the player and the household!)



Resume

1984-1988: Private drum instruction under H.B "Swede" Meredith; L.A. session drummer and formerly with The Harry James Big Band. Participated in High School marching band, jazz band, and orchestra.
1986, 1987, and 1988: Awarded “Most Valuable Musician” from Narbonne High School, Harbor City Calif.

1988-1992: Herb Alpert music scholarship recipient. Studied percussion under Dr. Remeta at Los Angeles Harbor College. Performed in Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Orange County and with “The Lohmann Neal Band” and “Lip Service.”

1991: Graduated from Percussion Institute Of Technology at Musicians Institute, Hollywood Calif. Instructors included Chuck Flores (Woody Herman), Casey Schuerrel (Jean-Luc Ponty, Chaka Khan) and L.A. session great Joe Porcaro.

1992-2000: Live and studio Freelancing in Southern Calif. with various music projects

2001-2012: Full time drum set instructor and session musician for Shepherd Studios in Albuquerque, NM. Drummer for Calvary Chapel and Hoffmantown Church, including the Easter morning services at Lobo Stadium and elaborate Christmas productions.

Recorded and/or played live with Darrell Mansfield, Angela DiPrima, Ricardo Griego, Melissa Andregg, Open Road, Jenny Marlowe.

Currently: Full time drum instructor. Drummer for The Duke City Saints http://www.dukecitysaints.com
Freelance drummer for all occasions, recording projects- including T.V. and radio commercial   jingles, clinics and workshops for various schools, and has worked at Humming Bird Music Camp.