​A Complete and Musical way to learn the Drums
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I'm Dave Simpson, a drum set and percussion teacher with 30 years experience. My comprehensive lessons, are designed to nurture your drumming passion, and ensure you reach your musical goals.
My Expertise
Specializing in beginner drum set for all ages! My lessons cover: classic rock, pop, dance/disco, funk, country, blues, jazz, big band jazz, latin (as applied to drum set), celtic, and bluegrass genres.
Also providing percussion classes covering beginning band, classical snare drum, mallet keyboards, introduction to 4 mallets, and introduction to timpani. I do teach traditional rudimental Snare, John Pratt, Wilcoxen, etc and modern DCI snare & tenors.
I want my students to achieve their goals and be successful. So if I'm not 100% confident and qualified to teach something I will always let you know. Many teachers claim "All Ages, All Styles" but it's become a catch phrase. There are so many styles of music it's quite impossible to be an expert in everything. The good news is that we're all on the internet now. Your perfect fit is out there, if it's not me I will help you find the teacher you require.
Lessons
All Prices in CDN Funds!
From 30 Canadian dollars
My Beginner book
Free Sample pages:
Current Projects
Music is a team sport and I would be nothing without my bandmates. I am very lucky to create and perform music with some wonderful musicians and friends.
Yes, I'm a "freelance drummer" but these are the groups who are my home!
Sonic Haze
Jamie Shea & the Gentle Reminders
The Chris Wheeler Band
Hailee Rose
Corktown Jazz Jam House band
Descendants of Dunn
Highway Companion
Charts & Transcriptions
My Story
I grew up in a musical home, My mother played church organ, and my father played snare drum in Drum & Bugle Corps. My initial studies on piano and violin were not particularly successful, but in grade 7 I was able to play drums in music class and I was hooked. Two years later I began the first of eight years of lessons with snare drum master Ernie Porthouse. I then studied with his percussion teacher, timpanist extrodinare Jean-Norman Iadeluca. During this time I attended the jazz performance program at Mohawk College. I then moved to Toronto and studied classical performance with Russell Hartenberger and Robin Engleman, both founding members of Nexus, at the University of Toronto.
As a percussionist, I performed with several orchestras including: the Hamilton Philharmonic, National Academy Orchestra, the Burlington Symphony and the Royal Conservatory Orchestra in Toronto. Of course my dad suggested I audition for a DCI Drum & Bugle Corps. I ended up playing vibes & marimba in Dutch Boy 1989-1992, and at Phantom Regiment 1994. I spent the following years working as an arranger/instructor for several marching percussion ensembles in Ontario. In the process with meet many lifelong close friends, and most importantly my wife, former marching instructor, Kathleen!
As a drummer, I am very lucky to be working as a session musician for Jazz, Pop/Rock, and music theatre groups. After spending 3yrs in Toronto performing in Second City’s production of Toni & Tina’s wedding, I began working with several artists including: Sonic Haze, Hailee Rose, Dave Rave, Jamie Shea and the Gentle Reminders, Jeremy Guther, Fiction, The Descendants of Dunn, and The Chris Wheeler band. He also performs frequently with Theatre Ancaster, and Drury Lane Theatrical Productions.
You can also see me every Wednesday night at the Corktown Pub in Hamilton as a member of the house band for jazz jam night.
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As a teacher, I now have over 30yrs experience working with students from 4 to 74 yrs old, in both private, and group settings. Currently, I'm teaching in-person lessons at Long & McQuade in Hamilton and online lessons at my studio.