I have been teaching full time now for around five years and with over forty students a week, it’s about time I give credit where it is due. Throughout this page I shall commend, celebrate, honour, respect or just congratulate the hard working student. I am amazed at how hard some people work to reach a successful standard, beyond what I ask. Here are a few students that I feel have worked hard recently and have gave it their all to produce fantastic results.
Oliver Dixey (November 2011)
This month’s student is Oliver Dixey. Ollie has been studying with me for the last few years and has progressed to a grade 4 level. There are many students that deserve to be here, but Ollie has progressed quickly taking on board different styles of music, namely jazz. The grade 4 Rockschool syllabus is a jump into the higher levels and rather than go for the rock classics, he welcomed different styles with open arms. His progress through the Jim Chapin book has amazed me, and for that reason he deserves to be here.
Jordon Bale (May 2011)
This months featured student is Jordan Bale. Jordan has been with me for over three years and has progressed to a Grade Four Level. Jordan started her interest many years ago as a little girl and has learnt that with persistence, she can achieve her goals. She has worked very hard during her spare time and is now capable of playing some very challenging pieces that any band would be proud of. Over the next year it is expected she will reach her goal of Grade Four with ease. The dedication she has shown to the art of drumming is incredible and for that reason alone, she deserves to be here.
Philip Harris (November 2010)
This month’s featured student has been chosen because of the enthusiasm he has shown towards the art of drumming. Phil Harris has been a student of mine for over six years and has now progressed to Grade Eight. He has recently started teaching a few students each week and is making his mark in the teaching world. My teacher once told me that you start learning once you reach Grade Eight. Phil understands what lies ahead and just to prove he means business, he joined me for some lessons at MLC Academy in Nottingham for a class with the incredible John Favicchia.
Phil has shown a passion for the drums I don’t often see. It has been a hard journey so far and I’m sure he’ll soon find out that it gets even harder. I am sure this will not deter him reaching his goals and he will be a brilliant drum teacher. For that and many other reasons he deserves to be this month’s featured student.
Stewart Ehoff (August 2010)
Progression is what we all strive for and our journey through learning an instrument is never the easiest. Some people seem to glide through the process, but yet others struggle. The end goal is always the same though; the sensation of achievement is a wonderful feeling. As a teacher, achievement is in the success of a student. It is hoped that all students experience success, after all, that’s why we set goals for ourselves. Music is the same as anything we try and master. You work hard and practice, you listen with eagerness, you then perform.
Stewart Ehoff has made the student of the month because of achieving those very same goals. His playing has come from the basic beginnings to the experienced player he is today. I always knew that the flare he showed for the drum kit would be recognized; no more in the excellent result he produced at Grade 7.
The journey has begun for Stewart. Realizing that there is more to drumming than just Rock, he has welcomed Jazz, funk and different time signatures with ease. He also is a wonderful student to work with who will one day be a name we will all know.
Cameron (May 2010)
Cameron is a student that I look forward to seeing every week. With the added ingredients of encouraging parents, Cameron is always keen to learn and straight behind the kit as soon as he walks into the studio. We started together a few years back after he had an unsuccessful time with drum lessons at school. Undeterred, he insisted that he carried on playing through an outside source. This is where I come in, and after a few lessons it was clear I had a talented future player on my hands. Cameron sailed through his grade one with a Merit and has pushed himself further towards grade two by practising regularly. I can’t think of anybody else that deserves to be here as much as Cameron and all this at the very young age of ten. Congratulations Cameron, keep up the good work!!
Laura (March 2010)
The Student of the month, without question, has to be the hard working Laura Harrison. With the imminent exam date approaching even closer, she has really worked hard to produce a confident performance. It has not been easy for Laura and as with every musician, there are walls we hit. At times she has found it difficult, but with a little gentle encouragement and buckets full of determination, she is now capable of producing a great result with her exam.
The exam is now over and we are waiting for the results. When Laura came out of the exam room with smiles and thumbs up, I knew all the hard work had paid off. Laura has been exceptional over the last few weeks and I am very proud of what she has achieved.
Joe (December 2009)
The first student of the month goes to Joe Thorley, who has taken lessons with me since the early age of eleven. Joe started at the beginning with grade one and has worked his way up to the high standard of grade six, passing with a merit two weeks ago. This is an achievement that I am very proud of. Joe’s playing technique has changed for the better over the last few years. Being a Neil Peart and Rush fan, he has always recognised the need for good technique and what successes come with it. Joe will effortlessly flow around the kit when creating fills and produce a great tone, achieved through correct position and posture. With this attitude to the instrument and his playing, I am sure that we will be hearing a lot more from Joe Thorley.
Congratulations on your result for Grade 6 Rachael
Although some students learn quicker than others there are also people that work through sheer determination to get the results they want. Rachael is such a student and has proved working hard is the key. Rachael has a positive attitude and is always very enjoyable to teach. Her drumming skills have become better each year proving to be a well worth recipient of grade one and grade two.Congratulations!
Dan
Dan has been with me as a student for over two years and has improved leaps and bounds. As we are all aware, learning any instrument is not an easy task. I am sure that Dan wouldn’t mind me saying there have been challenges along the way. With hard work and determination Dan is now a player who can be entered in any musical situation that may arise. For example, Dan signed up for our Rockschool course and within those few weeks became the drummer I have always known he could be. He played the final live show with confidence and self-belief. Congratulation Dan, you deserve to be here.
