bORN TO BE A DRUMMER
IT ALL BEGAN WITH AN ACCORDIAN
Accordion Concert at the Michigan State Fair
My musical background began in the first grade when my mother wanted me to take accordion lessons.
Back then playing the Accordion was the in thing.
I took private lessons for five years and was even in an accordion band.
My First Drumset
By the time fifth grade came around I was bored with the accordion and wanted to play the drums in the school band. Learning the accordion gave me a great advantage over the other students because I was able to read music, had a sense of timing and keeping a beat.
From sixth – eleventh grade, I took private drum lessons year round.
I was “first chair” drummer in the school band from sixth grade thru my senior year in High School. I played all of the percussion instruments including the Timpani and Glockenspiel. I played in the Concert, Symphony, Orchestra, Jazz or Stage Bands and was the Drum Major for the Marching Band. I won five medals performing at the Solo Ensemble and was asked to play for the Michigan State Fair’s Honors Band; which you normally had to try out for.
Outside of school I played in my first “Rock” Band in seventh grade and began playing professionally in a “Wedding” Band when I was fifteen. My formal training and playing experience includes: Rock, Blues, Country, Jazz, Big Band, Ballroom Dancing, R&B, Gospel, Contemporary Praise/Worship and most of the various Latin rhythms.
Over the years I have been playing in various groups. I taught my first students during and after college. Having had a fairly successful banking and corporate sales career, I am now able to devote my time and energy sharing with others what I know, have learned and experienced performing in a variety of bands.