Joe M. TakeLessons Instructor Percussion, Large Ensemble Technique, Chamber Music, Jazz, Percussion Ensemble, Drumline. 142nd Street West, Rosemount, MN

Joe is a senior at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, double majoring in Music performance with a percussion emphasis and Music Education. As a performer, Joe is known around the Twin Cities as being one of the most versatile and well rounded percussionists/drummers, as he frequently gigs at various events and venues within the metro area.

Teaching Experience

            For the past five years Joe has maintained a private lesson studio of 10 or more students. Students range from beginner to advance in Classical, Contemporary, Drumset, and solo repertoire. In addition to private instruction Joe is the Drumline instructor/Summer and Fall Percussion coordinator for the two time defending state champion and Bands of America Regional Finalist Rosemount High School Marching Band. Joe also helped the RHS Drumline to a high percussion award at the 2007 Youth in Music Minnesota State marching band Championships. During the winter season, in addition to his private studio, Joe works with the Anoka High School Indoor Percussion Ensemble, teaching basic marching and concert techniques as well as taking part in arranging and show design. In 2005, Joe was on staff with the Champlin Park High School winter Drumline which participated in the 2005 WGI World Championships scholastic division in Dayton, Ohio.

            In addition to teaching the technical and musical methods relative to today's modern percussionists, Joe also teaches instrument care and maintenance to insure that his students are prepared for the ups and down of live performance. Students of Joe's learn how to change drum heads, transport instruments properly, and repair broken equipment.

            Aside from teaching percussion Joe also actively includes Tonal, Jazz, and 20th Century Music theory and Ear training as well basic Music History in his curriculum.

Playing Experience

            At the University of Minnesota, Joe has had the privilege of performing under numerous nationally know ensembles including; University of Minnesota Wind Ensemble under the direction of Craig Kirchoff, The Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Mark Russell-Smith in which Joe was appointed principal percussionist, The U of M Percussion Ensemble under the direction of Fernando Meza, U of M Steel Band under the direction of Krista Carruthers, Jazz Ensemble I under the direction of Dean Sorenson, Jazz Combo taught by Phil Hey, Jazz Bones directed by Thomas Ashworth.

Outside the University Joe has played with many outstanding ensembles including; The Kenwood Orchestra, The Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, The Minneapolis Percussion Trio, The Seven Corners Quartet, Minnesota Brass Inc. Drum and Bugle Corps, and The Second hand Ska Kings.

In the summer of 2007 Joe was selected out of a national pool of auditioned personnel as the Timpanist of the seven time Drum Corps International world champion Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps out of Rosemont, Illinois. In the winter of 2008 Joe was a member of Minnesota State champion and WGI Finalist MBI Indoor percussion ensemble. In addition to these ensembles, Joe has performed alongside many world renown artists including; Nebosja Jovan Zivkovic, Stuart Marrs, Bill Carruthers, Eugene Rousseau, Dave Karr, Ross Karre, Dave Graff, and Tom Ashworth.

Education

            He has had the privilege of studying with national and internationally known musicians such as Fernando Meza (classical percussion),Philip Hey (Drumset and Jazz), Dean Sorensen (Big Band and Jazz theory),Steve Yeager (Vibraphone and frame drumming), Peter Kogan (Timpani),Earl Yowell (Timpani),Brian Duffy (Marimba and Percussion), and Matt Kettlehut (Marimba and Percussion).       

"I like to maintain communication between the student and their school band/orchestra director and/or parents. This enables me to develope a personalized curriculum for every student. Beginners can expect to focus on basics beginning with basic snare drum and keyboad technique. If a student wishes to study drumset, basic coordination techniques will be included. I like to have more advanced students choose what they study (i.e. instrument, repertoire, etc.)."

Snare Drum, Multiple Percussion, Hand Drumming, Drumset (Jazz, Rock Fusion, Showstyle), Mallets, Timpani

Percussion, Large Ensemble Technique, Chamber Music, Jazz, Percussion Ensemble, Drumline.