Drum Faculty

Adam

Adam  is currently completing his degree in Jazz Performance with a concentration in Drum Set at Temple University.  Since picking up the drums at the age of 9, he has been an active performer and educator, playing in multiple ensembles, including rock bands, small jazz groups, marching bands, big bands, orchestras, church groups, wind ensembles, percussion ensembles, etc. This performance experience covers a wide range of genres from jazz, rock, funk, pop, and gospel, to Afro-Cuban/Afro-Brazilian drumming. Adam has also taught drums privately and interned under band directors at middle schools and high schools in central Pennsylvania.

Throughout his career, Adam has studied under a variety of professional, and widely recognized drummers such as Chris Loser (a working drummer in the York, PA area), Jeff Stabley (Director of Jazz Studies and Percussion at York College, and drummer to jazz greats Tim Warfield, Steve Rudolph, and Kirk Reese), and Philly-based drummer Dan Monaghan (drummer to Joanna Pascale, Larry McKenna). He is currently a student of internationally renowned jazz educator and Temple University faculty member, Steve Fidyk, co-leader of the Taylor/Fidyk Big Band, drummer for the US Army Blues jazz band, regular contributing writer to Modern Drummer magazine, and author of numerous acclaimed educational books on jazz drumming.

When he isn’t drumming, Adam also enjoys anything to do with fitness and art, and currently has a black belt in the martial art of Aikido.

Jarrod

Jarrod graduated from Berklee College of Music, Cum Laude, in 2006 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Film Scoring and a focus on drum set performance. Racking up over 500 performances coast to coast with his current group Among Criminals, Jarrod often performs on radio, television and stages both large and small.  Jarrod offers private instruction on drum set in the styles of Rock, R&B, Funk, Soul, Gospel, Afro-Cuban, Hip-Hop, Jazz, World, Progressive Rock, Pop, Reggae, Drum & Bass and Drum Corps. He also offers instruction in music theory, composition, ear training and studio performance. Some of his other professional credits include recording engineer, award winning film and commercial composer, arranger and songwriter.

Jarrod’s biggest strengths as a teacher come from his wide scope of musical ability and interests. That seems to ensure a truly well rounded, unique and fun learning experience for both young students and “late bloomers.”

Kirk

As the son of a versatile drummer, Kirk was introduced to percussion at a very early age, and can recall being sat behind the drum kit as a toddler.  In fourth grade his dad set up some drums in his room, which quickly led to joining the school band, and soon he was taking lessons in both drums and keyboard instruments.

Kirk received his BA in Music Performance, Jazz Percussion from the University of Maryland, College Park.  After graduating in 2010, he dedicated his time to playing in a myriad of bands and  gigging  all over the Washington DC/Baltimore metro region. As part of the indy rock duo Ms. Fridrich he also completed a month-long cross country tour and  spent a week touring as a percussionist with Dr. Maddvibe. a solo project of the influential ska band Fishbone‘s front man Angelo Moore, on the Northeast leg of Warped Tour.

Kirk has been formally studying drums for fifteen years, and has studied under several notable musicians, including Chuck Redd, Tony Martucci, Steve Fidyk, Scott Tiemann, and Mahiri Keita-Edwards.  Kirk believes, contrary to popular perceptions, that in addition to being rhythmic, the drums are a melodic instrument, and thus should be played in such a manner.

Kirk encourages his students to step beyond simply trying to emulate a drummer’s style, by helping them find their own creative voice through incorporating the various textures and approaches of great drummers, old and new.  He strives to show his students how to draw music out of their drums, so they can play different musical “colors” through the use of dynamics, feel, and emotion.  He seeks to teach the value of cultural richness in the world of music, which includes looking at different cultures and their approaches to music and adapting the drum set to their traditional rhythms.   He is proficient in many styles of playing including rock, jazz, funk, blues, reggae, hip hop, bluegrass, latin and some African/Latin hand percussion. He offers a wide range of instruction from beginner to advanced, and works with every student to address their needs and goals.