My Students
I have over 35 years of teaching experience, (online and live 1 on 1 lessons). My specialty is teaching:
1. Various drum set styles necessary for middle school & high school state honor bands, and most gigs (Rock, R&B,Jazz, Latin, Pop, Brushes, Double Bass)
2. Sight reading drum charts (in all the above styles)
3. Cajon in Pop & Latin Music.
I teach beginners of all ages, currently ranging from 7 to 87 years old. Once the students gain enough musical skills, I guide them into various middle school, high school and worship bands. Quite a few students study with me until they are accepted into college music programs. I also teach many college drummers. I had the privilege to study drums with Gregg Bissonette, Mark Craney, David Garibaldi, Steve Houghton, Walfredo Reyes Jr,. Danny Reyes and Efrain Toro.
Lesson Rate:
Beginners to Intermediate: $40 per half hour lesson
Advanced/College/Pro: $80 per hour lesson
All of 2024’s California State Honor Jazz Band drummers are my students, CBDA and SCSBOA
Other organizations with which my students have won awards and scholarships:
High school:
CALIF. State Honor Jazz Bands: CASMEC and/or SCSBOA middle school or high school: 2013, 2015-2016, 2021-2024
Colburn School of the Arts, Los Angeles - Jazz, 2016-2024
Los Angeles Jazz Society Bill Green Mentorship scholarship 2015-2024
UCLA Summer Global Jazz Intensive+
Ventura Music Festival - High School Jazz Musician of the Year 2017 & 2020
National Young Arts Foundation (jazz runner up)
Stanford Summer Jazz Camp+
Idyllwild Arts Summer Jazz Camp+
Berklee College of Music - Global Jazz Ambassador+
Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra (CVYO)
College students:
Belmont University+
Berklee College of Music+
California Institute of the Arts
California State University, Northridge (CSUN)
Musicians Institute Stanley Clarke scholarship+
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
University of Miami+
University of North Texas
Full ride scholars (+)
NATIONAL ACTS with my students:
Big Bad Voo Doo Daddy
Girl Named Tom
Intronaut
Phat Cat Swinger
Postmodern Jukebox
Tayler Holder
Dr. Know
Glen Miller Orchestra 2011
The Cramps
Lords of Altamont
No Motiv
This Moment
10 Foot Pole
For more information on drum lessons for young beginners, please click the link below: AV Jr. Drum Concert.
Lesson Policies
Lesson rate is: $40 per, 30 minute lesson (beginners) , $80 per hour (Honor band/ college/pro)
Lessons are scheduled weekly at the same day and time.
The lesson tuition shall be paid in full on the first lesson of each month. Tuition will vary based on a 4 or 5 week month.
4 weeks: 1/2 hour lessons ($160)
5 weeks ($200)
Hour lessons are double the above rates.
Method of Payment: Check or Venmo
Online & In Person lessons use this same policy.
Google Duo
I use this free conference app for online lessons. It is free, has superior picture quality compared to others and allows me to teach longer than 45 minutes without interruption.
Make up lessons will be granted if I am given 24 hour notice by email at avdrum@yahoo.com.
Make up lessons will be based on my availability and may be done remotely.
Failure to give 24 hour notice for a missed lesson will forfeit that week’s lesson tuition.
Refund: If students are not practicing, I will discontinue their lessons and refund their balance of prepaid tuition.
Students will be given 2 warnings prior to being removed from my schedule.
The focus of instruction shall be reading drum music to perform with:
Drum set
Styles and articulation for Jazz, Big Band, Latin, R&B, Pop, and Rock
Orchestral auxiliary percussion
Latin percussion
Congas, cajon, and timables
Marching band
Thank you for your interest in studying drums with me,
-Al Velasquez