713-468-9100
Percussion Center
6990 Portwest Drive, #100
Houston, TX 77024
Fax: 713-647-6462
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Drum Lessons in Houston The Percussion Center School of Music offers a music program for young people and adults throughout the greater Houston area that includes private lessons, clinics, master classes, jam sessions, workshops, showcase events, and band camps. This format guarantees an opportunity for accelerated learning and performance opportunities. The excellent teaching staff can assist you whether your goal is to brush up on your technique or start from scratch. Lessons are taught in our private studios six days a week. Lessons available for drumset, African percussion, guitar, bass, keyboard, marimba, drum corp, world & Latin percussion and saxophone. Clinics, showcase events, jam sessions, master classes and band camps are held in the Percussion Center performance hall. Band Camps offered include Rock 'n Roll Band Camp, GirlzRock Band Camp and Rock On Band Camp. Call 713-468-9100 for pricing and schedule availability. Then download the student registration form here and fax it back to us. Teaching Staff Patrick Courtney - Drum Set and Percussion Patrick is the drummer for Sugar Land Christ United Methodist Church and currently plays with his band "Off the Record". He has been playing the drums since he was 12 and earned state honors in Jazz Ensemble while at Nacogdoches High School. He graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University where he played with the Lumberjack Marching Band (Quads and Snare), Symphonic Band (Snare, Timpani) and the Swinging Axes Jazz Band. Patrick has been teaching since 1998 and joined our staff in 2004. He teaches reading, concert snare and many styles of drum set in a fun and relaxed way. He especially loves to work with our young students or those who have never played before.
Luis Alfaro - Baterista y percussionista profesional Candace Jordan - Piano, Violin, Cello, Mallet Instruments Brian Bell - Drumset Brian has been drumming since he was 13. After high school Brian studied privately at Texas Christian University under Joey Carter who was on staff in the music school. He graduated from the drum program at the LA Music Academy in Pasadena, CA. During this intense 40 week program he learned a variety of styles including, Rock, Funk, Jazz, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, ECM/Fusion, and and studied grooves in odd time signatures. Besides playing drumset, Brian also plays many different afro-cuban and brazilian instruments such as congas, timbales, tamborim, surdo, pandeiro etc. While attending LAMA Brian played in both the school’s fusion and Latin bands, playing drumset in the fusion band while playing percussion in the Latin band.
Michael Blair - Drums, Mallet Insruments, Percussion Michael Blair is a percussionist originally from the Houston area. He became a member of the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps at the age of 16 and performed with the group from 1999-2001. He attended Cleveland State University and became the first undergraduate percussionist to study under Tom Freer of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra. During this time he headed many instructional programs in the Cleveland/Akron area including the VH1 Fund as an instructor to inner city children. He then received his Masters in Music from Carnegie Mellon University under the instruction of Tim Adams (Principle Timpanist of the Pittsburgh Symphony). While there he continued to perform with numerous ensembles (Pittsburgh Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra Blossom Festival, Youngstown Symphony and West Virginia Symphony). Returning to Houston he continued to work with bands in the area (the Woodlands High School and Dulles High School). He is also a resident percussionist at the Fellowship of the Woodlands Church and Grace Bible Church. Michael continues to perform and record many musical endeavors that cover all realms of percussion from Classical to Funk to Electronic. Nick Huneycutt - Drumset, Concert Percussion, Marching Percussion
Nick Huneycutt first picked up the drums at the age of 12 when he entered band in 6th grade. He continued playing drum set in his middle school and high school jazz ensembles, as well as placing as center snare his sophomore through junior years on the Westside High School drumline. He has been awarded superior ratings in UIL solo/ensemble competitions all four years in both solo and ensemble divisions, as well as receiving an outstanding soloist award his junior year for a drumset solo with the school’s jazz ensemble. Nick is currently working on getting a degree in music education, right now earning his associates in music at Cy-Fair College on music scholarships for performing in the school’s jazz ensemble. He plays throughout Texas in various metal bands and jazz ensembles. He plans to transfer to the University of Houston music program by the fall for his undergrad degree, and then transfer to the Berklee School of Music for his graduate’s degree. He has taught at the Percussion Center since 2006, and has also taught at Memorial High school and Westside High schools. He teaches all levels of playing for drumset, concert percussion, and marching percussion. Dustin Wolfe - Drumset Dustin started playing drums around the age of 10. His father is a drummer and encouraged him early on to take up the sticks. Throughout junior high and high school he was involved with playing music in school, church, and with local bands. Dustin graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelors degree in Marketing. At Baylor, Dustin studied jazz privately with Professor Todd Meehan. In 2008, he graduated from the drum program at LA Music Academy in Pasadena, California. Dustin teaches jazz, rock, funk, latin, and sight reading on the drum set at all levels. Ian Hammer - Guitar, Bass and Drums Studied at HCCS school of music, was quickly picked up by the band Petesimple where he did a nation wide tour. Also played in the bands Katie Stuckey Band and Spencer. He has played with notable acts as T.S.O.L.,Wayne Wilkerson formerly of Lyle Lovett and is a member of the Texas Big Beat band. Currently Playing for Chapelwood Methodist Church and Mosaic House of Prayer For Grace Methodist/Opendoor Fellowship.Ian teaches bass,guitar and drums and is one of the busiest teachers at the Percussion Center He is available for lessons Monday through Saturday. Elias Fernandez - Guitar, Bass, Mandolin
Artist in Residence Mike Henry - Drum Set/Brush Technique Mike's three CD's as a leader include Mike Henry Live, Big Percussion which was the sound track for the film ''The Last Known Documentary'' and Scared Sound Experience.
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| What People Have to Say about the Percussion Center School of Music |
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Just
wanted to let you know that my son, Corey Hardegree, made drumline captian for
this coming school year (his senior year) at MHS! He’s very excited. His plan
is to go to UT and would like to play for the Longhorn Drumline. Thanks
for all the support along the way!! It all started at Percussion Center. -Jill --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percussion
Center crew;
Thanks so much for setting this up last Sunday. I originally came for the
sake of my “kids” The Lost Dogz (youth band), in which my son, Josh,
plays drums and gets his lessons from Jim Calvert. His progress in his
drumming abilities has been taking much greater strides since getting involved
with the Percussion center. The staff has always been courteous, honest
and genuinely interested in his welfare, and as a special needs child, taken a
special interest in his learning processes, and goes “above and beyond” to
ensure he understands the lessons and gets the motivation necessary to gently
but firmly push him in the right direction. Many times at home, he wants
to play Video games, and like most kids, would rather do that than practice
drums, but when he was at the Jam session, he could not wait to get on that
drum riser and strut his stuff. He wanted to go again and again. He
had a blast and we thoroughly enjoyed watching him play with new players and
his band mates. As
it turns out, I even got a chance to play a little and found it so much fun
having a chance to play with two of the center’s instructors on “Summertime”,
that if this event happens again, I may bring my own axe and stretch out a bit
more myself, if time and the situation permits. I’ll
bring cookies next time. Mike
Beaton ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mike, I don't know if you still remember me but I am writing to you about my son Joler who started lessons in your old building located along I-10. I am very proud to say my son plays the drums with confidence now and has decided to pursue a career in percussion. He is now in junior high school and a regular drum player in our own church; he also joined a rock band where he enjoys playing with his friends and hopeful that he will become a well known drummer one day. I would like to thank you and the percussion center for helping kids like mine to build on their dreams and realize their hidden talents. I was sure then that my son had a potential and if someone could guide him and teach him, he would become an expert in playing. My hopes and dreams for my son is to become successful in his chosen career and be a role model to other kids who have the passion for playing the drums. I wish you and percussion center more power and more students to come! God bless you and the whole staff! Sincerely, _________________________________________________________________________________________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THANKS for all you do with Jordan. It really means a lot to us that you take so much time and effort to make sure that he understands what he's doing and to personally connect with him rather than just going through the motions of teaching. We've seen so much more confidence and self-esteem in him with regard to his drums lately, and I know that is because you are demanding that he tap into his potential when he could slide along. I'm not sure if you remember, but he didn't originally "make" this Jr High band at church; he was only listed as an alternate on drums and voice. That audition process was the end of last school year, before he spent the summer working with you, participating in the Percussion Center Rock 'n Roll Band Camp and practicing what you taught. His ability increased, his demeanor was confident, he did well when he got to play and has been included in the band. In fact, I was thinking about all of this because he told us last night when we picked him up from a two hour rehearsal that he was the only drummer there. He said he didn't know the songs, but he learned them - didn't seem stressed or anything and that credit goes to you. I remember you initially told me you wanted to back him up, teach him some things over, make sure he does them right, give him the ability to "know" what's going on and have others recognize that......it's just been awesome to watch the changes and see him realize this goal of playing in the youth band, and I wanted to let you know that! Plus, we have really enjoyed getting to know you and Donna and all the guys at the store better during these last months that you have been teaching him. It's wonderful how you've integrated such a wonderful warm family and caring atmosphere into your business, and we appreciate that fact. It's really been a blessing for us in finding the Percussion Center, and that care and involvement is what brought us there for lessons. I'm sure you've made a difference to a lot of people. Just wanted to let you know. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dude!!! "I hear some amazing stories about the school you guys are running there. Outstanding! Keep it up..." Joe Gavito ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Jim, |
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