Schedule a drum lesson at Underhill Music School today!

My goal is to both provide a foundational understanding of the drums and an experience that differs from the traditional classroom. I teach at Underhill Music School on Capitol Hill at 12th and Pike and accept students of all skill levels and ages. The space is roomy and accommodates two drum sets for side by side playing. Lessons are scheduled through Daniel at Underhill.

Rates:

My current rates are:

$40/30 minutes

$75/60 minutes

Sliding scale pricing is available for families with demonstrated need.

Schedule a Lesson

Student Testimonials

"Cam is a really impressive drummer and teacher. I started with very little music knowledge and he managed to keep the basics fun and interesting. I can't believe the progress I've made since I first started lessons. Cam is punctual, organized, and gives me lesson notes, which makes practicing at home a lot easier. He creates a really comfortable learning environment and I always leave a lesson feeling like I got better."

-Chrissy

"Cam has proven to be an excellent fit for my son's learning style. My son responds better to more structured lessons (as opposed to showing up and being asked what he wants to work on today). Cam also provides great feedback to me so I know what they are working on and how much progress my son is making."

-John

"I really enjoy taking drum lessons with Cam! I'm an adult beginner and the whole experience has been comfortable. Cam does a great job of teaching me the basics (but not getting too caught up in details since I'm just learning to drum for fun) and incorporating songs I like to keep me motivated."

- Malloree

"Cam is a very patient teacher and excellent at explaining things to folks that are a bit slower to understand (reading music etc). He makes every lesson fun and engaging. He answers all the questions very helpfully when learning something so new!"

-Bella

"I took drum lessons with Cam for a few months, and he’s a great teacher. He really knows his stuff and always tailors each lesson to fit your interests while helping you improve your skills, no matter your level. He’s supportive, flexible, and makes every session engaging."

-Cait

More Info

How I Teach

I believe that the first step towards building proficiency in an instrument is having fun with it. I strive to make the lesson space one that promotes positivity, experimentation and excitement - with these as a foundation we can make the hard parts more enjoyable! I take notes on each lesson and have a plan for the next one in mind. However, I always enjoy following a direction that the student is interested in and can cater lessons to personal goals however ambitious or modest. I have experience teaching all ages and skill levels and like to find fun ways to challenge students no matter their experience

Styles and techniques I cover

Part of the fun of being a drummer is getting to learn a wide array of music and fit into many situations - I like to cover the gamut. We’ll work on rock, pop, funk, jazz, R&B, blues, classical/concert percussion, marching band and much more! Through the exploration of different styles we’ll learn the foundational techniques, rudiments, styles and feels that are integral to every education in drums.

A typical 60 minute lesson run down

5 minutes - check in from previous lesson and a warm up

15 minutes - beat/groove workshop - digging into a style and working on various drum beats in that style

10 minutes - technical piece that relates to the beats/grooves we’ve been working on and some exercises to improve technique

5 minutes - game or improvisation break, something to give our brains a rest

20 minutes - working on a song. This can be everything from school concert band to a marching band cadence to a song you heard on the radio or one you’ve always wanted to play along to

5 minutes - review this week and go over practice for the next lesson

Teaching materials

I work out of an array of drum books and online exercises and I’m always on the look for new ways to approach the drums. Proficiency in reading music is a top goal for my new students and we start to read music within the first few lessons. I balance working out of a book with listening exercises, playing along to songs and the occasional game or two.