music:
I have been a musician, composer, and instructor in the Portland-Metro area for over 2 years. Prior to that my near 20 years in music have given me a tremendous knowledge that I've shared with students young and old since 1998.
In 1998 I began teaching as a studio instructor in Jackson, MS and from 2002-2005 I worked consistently with the Montevallo Troubadour Marching Band and Winter Ensemble as they performed Charles Pike arrangements and received excellent ratings in competitions throughout Alabama.
In late 2005 I returned to my home in the Northwestern U.S. and am now teaching at Reed College as well as privately throughout Clackamas, Gresham and Oregon City and working as a freelance percussionist.
Instruction
Private Lessons
I offer percussion lessons on a wide range of percussion instruments in many styles from across the world.
World Percussion:
African Djembe, used in most traditional West African ceremonies and dances; Egyptian Doumbek, Riqq, and Tar, used in belly dancing and instrumental music throughout the Middle East.
Marching Percussion:
Snare, tenor/multi-tom, multiple bass drums, and cymbals plus work on marching techniques.
Concert Percussion:
Mallet instruments including: Marimba/xylophone and vibraphone employing 2, 3, and 4-mallet techniques; Timpani tuning and performance; Rudimental snare performance; and auxilliary percussion instruments.
Drum Set:
Jazz, Rock, Blues, Latin, Punk, Funk, and Reggae
Classes
Coming Soon...
Performance
Classical Percussion
I have been playing wind band and orchestral percussion for most of my life and recently I have performed with Oregon Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, Portland Chamber Orchestra and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Pop(ular) Music
Rock has been my forté for a long while, however throughout my education I played in brass bands, jazz bands and even a few experimental groups. All have had their pros and cons, but they each presented me with a new perspective on percussion and drumming.
I currently have three bands working in the Portland Metro Area: Petting Zoo, Aisle5 and the Hellhounds.
Petting Zoo is an original rock band with artistic leanings toward A Perfect Circle and Muse.
Aisle5 plays cover tunes from the 60's through today for any occasion.
Hellhounds is steeped in the blues tradition set at a low simmer in Louisiana Voodoo.
All are open for gig opportunities so check us out.
