My first memory involving personal instruction is when my Mom took me to have lessons with an older gentlemen who had been a snare drummer in the military. I barely remember much from those first lessons except that it was my introduction to drumming that would eventually lead me to playing and teaching on a professional level. Funny how I never would have thought I would be teaching the instrument that I loved so much but from the late 90's until now I have been doing that exact thing...and loving it! I built a two room studio that is used for teaching, recording and for rehearsing. I have two professional drumsets that I use when teaching so both myself and the student can play along together. It has significant sound-dampening material in both rooms so parents waiting during the lesson are not overwhelmed by noise. As for my own playing history I remember playing drums at church when I was 13 and that continued throughout my teen years and into my early 20's. While in M.E.I.I played in concert band, in Razzberry Jam (the senior school jazz band), and occasionally during chapel. After graduation I played in my band 'Swindle Stick' which was heavily influenced by the bands 'Pearl Jam' and 'Soundgarden'. A little bit later my friend Ariel Watson and myself started up a band with Mathew Good known as the Matthew Good Band. The band lasted for about a year before personal differences caused the band to split up. The following years consisted of teaching drums, and playing on over a hundred recordings including everything from full albums to radio jingles. I toured/performed all across the globe from North America to Europe with various bands with the most notable being Brian Doerksen and Andy Park. I currently play in 'Old Mare' which is a hybrid of sounds including Jazz/Folk/Rock. Teaching brings me great joy as I get great satisfaction in watching students unlock the mystery of rhythm and learn how to control time and feel on the drumset.
