I am a professional drummer, percussionist, and composer with a Master’s degree in Jazz Performance from the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz at UCLA and a Bachelor’s degree in Music from the USC Thornton School of Music, where I graduated with honors. I have performed and recorded with artists including Herbie Hancock, Billy Childs, Patrice Rushen, and many others, and have experience in both jazz and orchestral settings. This background gives me a well-rounded understanding of rhythm,...
I am a professional drummer, percussionist, and composer with a Master’s degree in Jazz Performance from the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz at UCLA and a Bachelor’s degree in Music from the USC Thornton School of Music, where I graduated with honors. I have performed and recorded with artists including Herbie Hancock, Billy Childs, Patrice Rushen, and many others, and have experience in both jazz and orchestral settings. This background gives me a well-rounded understanding of rhythm, technique, and musicianship that I bring into my teaching.
I have been teaching private drum and percussion lessons since 2019, working with students of all ages and levels in both in-person and online settings. I began my formal teaching career as a fellow at the Herbie Hancock Institute, where I taught high school and college students internationally. I have since served on faculty at programs such as the UCLA Summer Global Jazz Intensive, the Lafayette Summer Music Jazz Workshop, and the Juneau Jazz Festival, and have led clinics at schools including LACHSA and Harvard-Westlake. My experience ranges from beginners learning fundamentals to advanced students preparing for auditions or pursuing music at a high level.
My teaching approach emphasizes strong fundamentals, musical understanding, and individualized instruction. I focus on time, technique, sound, and listening, while helping students develop clear and effective practice strategies. Lessons are structured but flexible, and I tailor them to each student’s goals, whether they are playing for enjoyment or working toward serious musical development. My goal is to help students make consistent progress, build confidence, and develop a deeper understanding of music.
