Lessons Offered
Drums, Music Theory, Percussion, Music
Where are Lessons Offered
In Teacher Studio
In Student Home
About Me
My name is Don Newby and I am a professional drummer, percussionist, recording engineer and music educator living in Lafayette, Colorado. I began playing piano at age 5, drums at age 8 and have been performing professionally since I was 14. I also have over 40 years of teaching experience and have taught hundreds of drum and percussion students in the Boulder Valley. I believe I know what your student needs to be successful, not just in school music programs, but also in the world of professional music performance, recording and business.
My Musical Education Background
I studied Music Education and Percussion Performance at CU Boulder Music School, Drum Set Performance at Berklee School of Music and Electronic Music and Recording Engineering at CU Denver. I have done thousands of performances in the last 45 years ranging from orchestras, symphonic and marching bands, shows and musicals, big bands and jazz combos to virtually all forms of popular music, as well as hundreds of recording sessions. I have played with the jazz big band Pandaemonium, Gretchen Peters, Dan McCorrison, Junior Brown, Molly O'brien and the Blue Tips, Rumbleseat and many, many more. I worked with Moment's Notice Entertainment for 30 years and currently play with Kid Charlemagne, Voodoo Syndicate and the Groove Nation Orchestra, among others. I also have worked for Rocky Mountain Recorders in Denver for 20 years as an engineer where I operate the pre-production studio.
Genres and Subjects Taught
I believe in an individualized teaching approach based on the need, desire and ability of the student and I use the method or combination of methods that seems to work best with each student. I teach rudimental snare drum, traditional orchestral percussion, mallets, hand percussion and all styles of drum set performance from big band and small group jazz to classic rock, punk, metal and progressive rock, pop, country and country rock, bluegrass, reggae, afro-cuban, r&b, hip-hop and breakbeat. I also teach music theory, ear training, reading and writing, acoustic theory, instrument set-up and maintenance as well as sound reinforcement and recording techniques.
Lesson Rates
I currently charge $30/half hour-$60/hour and I teach out of my home studio in Lafayette.
Ages / Skill Levels Taught
I teach all ages and levels. I've had students as young as 7 and as old as 60.
Service Area
Student Reviews
There are no reviews yet for this teacher. Be the first to review Don Newby