EW’s Drum Studio

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About Me

Modern Drummer Magazine December 2015 listed Eric as one of the "Finest Drum Instructors in the World" by legend Dom Famularo.

Eric is a freelance drummer and educator living in Poughkeepsie, New York with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Music from the University of Connecticut (UCONN). Having lived in Connecticut, New York City, and the Hudson Valley over the past fifteen years he has performed with Joseph Wooten(Pianist for The Steve Miller Band), Victor Wooten (Bassist, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones), Lindsay Mendez(Elphaba, "Wicked"), Jay Armstong Johnson(Chip, "On the Town"), and Kyle Barisich(Raoul, "Phantom of the Opera"), Joe Piscopo (Saturday Night Live), Mark Small (Michael Buble), Chris Vadala (Chuck Mangione), John Mosca (Village Vanguard Orchestra), Eric Alexander, Jimmy Greene (Harry Connick, Jr.), Brad Leali, Tony Desare, Miles Brown, Ken Faranda, Joe Bouchard (Blue Oyster Cult), and Bobby MacDougal (John Hall Band), Tim Collins,  the Chic Chiccetti Big Band, and Roni Ben-Hur. College appearances included performances with Dr. Billy Taylor, Joe Lovano, John Clayton, Claudio Roditi, Oliver Lake, Ron Blake, Dick Oats, Dave Santoro, Andy Fusco, Walt Weiskopf, Jimmy Owens, and the late Victor Borge. He has performed for former Presidents George Bush, Bill Clinton and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbechov, and Quincy Jones. Eric studied with Kenny Burrell, Steve Turre, Carl Allen, Jeff Hamilton, John Riley, John Mosca, Steve Johns, Michael Carvin, Ellen Rowe, Bill Reynolds, Art Perretta, Dr. Peter Coutsouridis, Vincent Cassotta, Dave Santoro, Paul Brown, and Gene Bozzi.

Eric's musical projects have allowed him to open for some of music's best known performers such as Spyro Gyra, The Bret Michaels Band, Dave Mason, and Blue Oyster Cult just to name a few.  

Eric also performs many different styles and can be found performing in musical theatre pits for all types of shows. See Past Shows above.

Having recorded and performed in and around New York City at various jazz clubs his experience also includes performances with many big bands, combos, and rock groups throughout the country. As a pit percussionist he has worked professionally with musical companies including Princess Cruise Lines. While in college he performed regularly with the wind ensembles, orchestra, and traveled the U.S. with the UCONN Pep band and UCONN Marching Band at such major events as the 1996 World Series at Yankee Stadium, halftime show for an NFL game in Buffalo NY, and the 1999 NCAA Final Four and Championship Basketball Games. He was a member of the 1994 Connecticut All-State Jazz Ensemble as the #1 drum set performer in Connecticut. Eric has been a jazz-teaching assistant at Frederick Douglas Academy in New York City.

Eric has been teaching students of all ages for over thirty years. He has taught all styles as a clinician, and has worked in band camps throughout the Northeast. He is currently an adjunct faculty member of Dutchess Community College Music School, Drum Instructor at the Trinity-Pawling Boarding School Pawling, NY, Drum Instructor at The Millbrook School, Millbrook, NY, as well as owner of Eric Wagner's Drum Studio at Vincitores Piano Center in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Eric endorses Precision Drums and is a member of the Sabian Education Network and D'Addario Education Collective (Evans Drumheads)

My Musical Education Background

Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Music from the University of Connecticut

Ages / Skill Levels Taught

30+ years performing/teaching. 17 years teaching in the Hudson Valley. Average or 30-40 lessons taught a week. All ages taught. All skill levels welcome. Loads of referrals and a google 5 star rating.

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