Not only is John Cutrone an accomplished professional drum teacher and musician, he has the ability to communicate with students age 5 to adult and understand individual styles of learning. John Cutrone inspires by bringing joy to the process of learning to play drums. “I just love sharing my passion for all things drums and bringing out the best in my students. When they take part in studying an instrument, that adds joy to their hearts”, explains John. John Cutrone’s success as a drummer, teacher and studio musician comes from a life of experience studying classical principles of music and working in recording studios worldwide. With a deep appreciation for the music teachers who taught and encouraged him along the way, John is giving back to his students by passing along skills and knowledge that result from 40 years of immersion in his passion: Playing drums!

Professional Musician

John Cutrone is a master of drums. He attributes his proficiency playing drums to his early teachers who provided the foundation for him to excel as a professional drummer, career musician and teacher. He considers himself very fortunate to have learned from the best teachers and to have been associated with many musicians who are the best in their field. Widely sought after for his ability to read music and play drums in all musical styles, John does live concerts and records with world-class musicians such as Chris Brubeck, Bucky Pizzarelli, John Watrous, George Duvivier, Joe Beck, Elliott Randall, Will Lee, Chip Jackson, Pete Seeger, Fred Hellerman, Doc Cheatham and Marvin Stamm, to name but a few of the pros with whom John has performed and recorded. Starting at age five, John took drum lessons with Tony Chirco in Norwalk, Connecticut for 12 years, then learned from Joe Cusatis for the next three years. As someone who believes in the power of lifelong learning, John studied jazz and reading concepts with the great piano player Lou Stein for 12 years when John was in his twenties. He studied drums with the great jazz drummer Elvin Jones. John has enjoyed numerous recording experiences including playing drums in a small studio for a Warner Brothers album he recorded with Pete Seeger and Fred Hellerman. The list of the musical greats who have collaborated with John Cutrone is awe inspiring! 

A versatile musician, John Cutrone has worked in just about every musical genre including folk, TV and radio commercials, Broadway shows and other live theater, orchestral, jazz ensembles, pop, karaoke recordings, movie scores. “I have played in a live setting of just about every style of music that could come from a life of 50 years of playing music and following one’s dream,” says John. 

Student Success Learning Drums

As a professional drum teacher, John has the patience, communication skills and knowledge of music and drumming to impart to his students an appreciation of what it takes to become a good drummer. John Cutrone’s exclusive system of teaching music and drums to all age levels, for all future goals, includes a combination of keyboard, computer and hands-on training. 

“One of the reasons I believe my students are successful and enjoy learning how to play drums is because of what I learned from the teachers who inspired me and brought a new dimension into my life,” John likes to say. “I visualize myself at 5 years old learning from a great music and drum teacher who had the patience and skill to teach me the tools I would need to love music and become a drum teacher.”

John Cutrone sees his students through their musical journey to the pre-professional stage of their learning. His students have gone on to prestigious music schools including Juilliard, Oberlin, Manhattan School of Music, New York University and many more competitive institutions of higher learning. Not only does John have the ability to teach music, but he also imparts how to connect concepts that help his students navigate their way through life with confidence and success. Those are the qualities of a great teacher. 

“Even though drums are the main instrument I teach, I have also been very successful teaching other rhythm instruments like bass, piano, and guitar and what their role is in a rhythm section. I have the ability to work with wind and brass instruments and help students learn to read music, a skill that will serve them well in orchestral work and, actually, in all walks of life! This is a major difference in the way I teach drums.”

As a highly experienced professional drum teacher, John Cutrone encourages students to bring in current music they like and want to learn to play. Classical technique can apply to any style of playing drums. John Cutrone’s method of teaching and his ability to explain the intricacies is what he calls his “special ingredient” for student success. 

Inspiring Drum Lessons

Fast forward to today’s work as a drum teacher who continues to perform and record… No wonder John Cutrone’s drum students can experience success! One such student is Ian Hubbell whom John taught and coached for admission to USC in Los Angeles. Ian studied with the great studio drummer Peter Erskine and has been working at recording studios with Peter as he networks in Los Angeles. Another student of John’s, Jim Doyle, has done music projects for songwriter Jackson Browne. And, John Cutrone’s student Mike Dick earned a Master of Arts in Jazz from the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music and now has a career as a professional musician in New York City and New Jersey.

Last but not least in a long list of student successes, Jameel Roberts, whom John helped with his audition for the music program at William Patterson College in New Jersey, later attended New York University to pursue a degree in Music writing for Film. In recent years, Jameel has been nominated for Grammy Awards for writing songs with Usher and Arianna Grande.

John takes great pride knowing his students still reach out to him letting him know how much he has helped them not only in their careers, but also in life.