Hello!
As of June this year, I’ve been teaching percussion and hand drum lessons at Chanson Voice and Music Academy. As the Head of the newly formed Percussion Department, I figured it might be nice to casually introduce myself here, separately from my biography page and tell you all a little bit more about myself. I’m very excited to be working with everyone over at CVMA and begin teaching you all about the wonderful world of drums and percussion!
I’ve been playing drums and percussion for over 14 years. I started in middle school band class and developed an appreciation for percussion. That blossomed into a love for drum set and led me down the path of wind ensembles, jazz band, and a variety of rock, pop, jazz, metal, original, and cover bands; all throughout high school and into my college career at Saint Cloud State University. During my time at SCSU, I performed in the SCSU Percussion Ensemble, New Music Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Choirs, Jazz Band, World Drumming Ensemble, St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, and a variety of local musical productions.
After I graduated college, I joined Black Isles, a world music and fusion belly dance group and… just like that, hand drumming became a huge part of my life. I have a background in Afro-Cuban hand drumming, but Black Isles opened up the world of Middle Eastern percussion and rhythm. For the past four years, I’ve been studying and practicing the art of playing, Doumbek, riqq, and a variety of other hand drums. In addition to Black Isles, I also play drum set in Depotek (industrial), David Lindstrom (alternative folk-pop/rock), The Revolution 5 (The Beatles Tribute), and a few other projects.
As a part of my new position, I’ve set up a new Drum Circle Class that is open to everyone. This class will have elements of traditional drum circles, with long jam sessions, solos, and organically growing rhythms and groove. But this class is also a little bit more than a traditional drum circle. We will also be covering basic terms, techniques, rhythms, timekeeping, and more. This way those who attend can also develop a solid base of knowledge that can be applied in other settings.
The best part is, you don’t have to be a pro to enjoy this stress-free class! If you want to come and play a drum, this class is for you. At the end of the class, I guarantee you’ll be more comfortable just picking up a drum and playing either by yourself or in a group setting.
Stop by and say hi if you see me around. If drumming sounds like something you’d like to try, I hope to see you in private lessons! Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.
Best,
Devin Tomczik
dmtomczik@gmail.com
CVMA Percussion Instructor
To Learn More About Devin Please Visit His Teacher Page Here
To Learn More About Devin’s Drum Circle Class Please Click Here
