As a drum teacher, not only do I recognize the challenges inherent in teaching people of all ages how to play the drums, but I am also aware of the different ways people learn. Some people respond well to verbal instruction, while others have to play through the lesson for themselves. And it helps every student I’ve ever had to actually show them how it’s done. That is why I launched the Gregory Tech Drum Center.
As of September, 2017 I am on the Council Rock Approved Private Tutor List and I have obtained the three clearances below. These clearances have been renewed as of August, 2022.
- PA Criminal Record — State Police Report
- PA Clearance Statement (formerly known as Child Abuse Clearance)
- FBI Report — Federal Criminal History Record Information (CHRI)
My state-of-the-art, climate controlled studio combines learning tools that trigger all the senses required to learn: sight, touch, and sound. To start with, my students learn to play on drums, not practice pads: the Drum Center is equipped with professional-quality drums, cymbals and hardware. This alone makes a huge difference, as students gain confidence playing a full drum set and learn how different techniques produce different sounds.
I bring over forty-five years’ experience playing and recording in many different styles, and have been teaching for over thirty of those years. I am well-versed in contemporary and traditional styles of music, and have performed with various jazz, rock, R&B and fusion bands. I help my students explore the possibilities of the drum kit, encouraging experimentation while emphasizing the use of proper technique.
I trained at The Berklee College of Music in Boston before moving to New York City in 1985. In NYC, I worked with such artists and ensembles as Ralph Towner, Bo Diddley, The Drifters, The Ink Spots, The Marvelettes, The Coasters, The Crystals, Candido Camero, Gary U.S. Bonds, and The Big Apple Circus. In addition to teaching privately, from 1991 to 2000 I was an adjunct professor at The Juilliard School with the Music Advancement Program, a program dedicated to bringing music to inner-city children. In 2006, I moved back to my native Denver, Colorado, where I played with Richie Cole, Nelson Rangell, and other jazz and blues artists. I also played for the 2012 production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. My wife and I relocated to Yardley in October 2016.
It is Gregory Tech Drum Center’s technology that sets it apart. HD video cameras are positioned around the students’ and instructor’s kits; the images from the cameras appear on three flat-screen monitors, which can be split to show side-by-side views of teacher and student hand and foot movements. The monitors can also show instructional drum videos from our library here, and music videos streaming from the internet. The cameras allow recording of every lesson which are sent via a private link to the student with notes. There is also a webcam by which parents can watch their child’s lesson. Gregory Tech Drum Center also offers remote online drum instruction; online teaching videos; and remote drum recording. Gregory Tech is equipped with pro microphones, a Toft analog console, Lynx Aurora A/D converters, ProTools, Final Cut Pro X, Furman HRM-16 Headphone Remote Mixers for independent mixes, midi drum controllers, and a drum machine with click track capabilities, as well as many individualized loops.
Perhaps the most important aspect of the Gregory Tech Drum Center is the fact that I instruct all students. I have over 35 years of experience teaching percussion, including 9 years instructing at the Juilliard School in New York City.
Are you in a different city, or in a different state? Take lessons with me regardless of where you live!
Please feel free to give me a call at 267.393.4458 if you have any questions about the Gregory Tech Drum Center. If you’d prefer to stop by, please let me know so we can schedule a tour of my studio.
As of January 1, 2024, my rate is $70 per hour lesson and $40 per half hour lesson. Private drum lessons are preferably scheduled weekly. These rates may have changed, so please Contact me for current rates.