Teaching

I am grateful and determined to educate and mentor students of any age, crafting welcoming, organized, and creative environments of reciprocal learning. I make sure students are having fun and finding joy while fully absorbed in the study of the music. I teach drum set, piano, beginner composition and improvisation lessons, in person and online. I’ve taught private and group lessons, and lead clinics, coached rhythm sections and jazz ensembles across the country, and aim to be and continue to become the best mentor and role model to aspiring musicians in Seattle, Chicago, Indiana, New York City, and beyond.

I believe that (you), the student, should always lead your own curriculum. I will prepare you with tools, resources, and practice techniques for achieving any musical goals. In careful collaboration with students, I aim to maximize flexibility, posture, relaxation and overall (health/)wellness, cultivate a sense of purpose and life path, and craft a nurturing atmosphere of steady growth and through studying and playing music. I will help you develop groove, feel, reading, listening and singing skills, demonstrate how to transcribe any song using ear training, reading, rudiments, scales, intervals, singing, tune learning memorization strategies and chart creation to build, maintain, and improve conscious, creative, reliable, engaging and regenerative practice routines that will help students flourish and become more confident and capable learners and musicians.

Contact Rocky to schedule a virtual one on one trial lesson here