Year in Review

It is hard to believe that 2009 is coming to a close. As we approach the end of the year, I thought I would reflect on some of the great things that happened for me in 2009.

At the start of the year, I added online teaching to my list of services. I was able to reconnect with a former student who moved to Japan and teach a good friend's son in Oregon. The technology available to musicians today is absolutely amazing. I also upgraded my notation software and made all the drum charts, drum transcriptions and exercises I use with my students available to anyone who wishes to download them. I've received positive feedback and kudos from many drummers around the world.

I met my 2009 student load goal and am in the process of setting my goals for 2010. I have to say that I have some of the best students a drum teacher could ask for. A former student of mine is finishing up his second year at Berklee College of Music in Boston. I also wrote two letters of recommendation for students wanting to attend Musician's Institute in LA. I've seen my students with disabilities make great leaps and bounds as well as several students perform for their own bar mitzvahs, school concerts and block parties. Having such great students who work so hard make my job such a pleasure!

I was accepted into Hudson Music's Teacher Integration Program (TIP.) TIP is a neat program that focuses on ways to elevate the art of teaching drums and percussion using modern technology. I was already an ardent user of technology in my teaching practice. I've implemented tools such as drum machines and the BeatNik as well as software such as the Amazing Slow Downer, Finale 2009, iChat, Skype, GarageBand and Logic Express. I'm also using instructional DVDs and Internet sites like YouTube and DrummerWorld to expose students to different drummers and drumming techniques. Having such great technology at my disposal really helps me to customize my lessons to fit each student's individual needs.

On the good news/bad news front, I'm happy to report that the Professional Drum Teachers Guild is still growing. The Guild's commitment to helping drum teachers around the world by providing a forum to share ideas and uphold standards has been realized beyond co-founder Martin Fullard's and my own expectations. I am proud to be affiliated with such fine drum educators and couldn't ask for a better friend than Marty. Unfortunately Marty had to relocate to England and I was saddened that such a great friend had to move so far away. We still communicate regularly but I miss our coffee dates.

Party Jones played more city and corporate events this year than ever. We are looking forward to even more in 2010. Despite the economy, several of the companies we regularly work with still hired us to play their functions. We played in Las Vegas, Santa Barbara and Kansas City! This month we are playing our usual stable of corporate Christmas functions for GeoSyntec, Astra Oil, the LAPD's Air Support, PayLess Foods and Disney's Candlelight Christmas Celebration. I'm so happy and thankful to be playing in a band that allows me these opportunities.

Last but definitely not least, I added another endorsement to my resume. In addition to being endorsed by Remo drumheads, I am now an official Pro-Mark drumstick endorser. I owe this to my good friend Marty Fullard who had been gently suggesting I try their sticks for the last two years! I had been playing Vic Firth sticks exclusively since 1986 save for a brief stint with SilverFox in the early 2000s. Although I was accepted as a member of Vic Firth's Education Team, I was simply not receiving the kind of support I felt I needed or deserved. I was BLOWN AWAY by the quality and consistency of Pro-Mark's products! Being affiliated with Pro-Mark is like being a part of a family. I have received such amazing care since joining their artist roster. I'm still pinching myself!

I hope all of you had a wonderful 2009. I'm hoping that 2010 is filled with many great things for all of us.

Happy Holidays everyone!