Imagine taking drum lessons from a master drum teacher and professional drummer. Master drummer John Cutrone’s students have even gone on to forge their own careers as professional drummers, recording and playing along side world-class musicians such as rock stars Hall and Oates, jazz greats Wynton Marsalis of Lincoln Center, and Christian McBride as well as with Broadway musicians and recording stars. With John’s coaching for auditions, his advanced students have been accepted at some of the most prestigious music schools in the country – Juilliard, Penn State, The New School, Oberlin, Manhattan School of Music, New York University and University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where John Cutrone’s students have real-world experience recording and playing in ensembles. John Cutrone teaches his students not only professional music and drumming skills, but he has mentored them for success. Their skills and experience have given them a competitive advantage in life! 

Custom Private Drum Lessons

From beginning drum lessons through intermediate and advanced to pre-professional students, John Cutrone’s custom private drum lessons are 30, 45 or 60 minutes and include invaluable teaching methods and recordings, which students use to perfect their skills and advance their learning between lessons.  No matter the level of drum proficiency of a student, master teacher and drummer John Cutrone provides exceptional music instruction and education.  

John stays in touch with school music teachers and keeps copies of the music students play in school bands and performances. This communication is an invaluable advantage John’s students have to play at a much higher level than their peers in school bands, ensembles and orchestras.

John’s teaching extends to the pros who, as true professionals, believe in perfecting their skills and musical knowledge.  John Cutrone welcomes his peers to continue honing their craft with him. Whatever age or skill level – from novice to professional drummer – you can learn from John Cutrone!

Beginning Drums

From proper technique for holding sticks and understanding rhythms as well as an appreciation for the vital role drums play in setting and keeping the beat, the beginning drum student will develop the skills needed in the journey to becoming a drummer. Through John Cutrone’s experience teaching drums and playing as a professional musician, students discover the basics of drumming as they gain confidence and have fun learning a new skill. 

Intermediate Drums

 Intermediate drum students who have progressed beyond beginning drum lessons will sharpen their skills and deepen their understanding of drumming techniques. The journey to becoming a drummer will take shape through John’s proven teaching methods. Students will be introduced to hand coordination to create proper sounds and beats. Intermediate students will begin to explore how to play drums in various musical genres such as rock, jazz, school band, Concert Band and AllState Orchestra.

For students grade 6 through 12th, John coaches them for auditions for Concert Band, and AllState Orchestra as well as local youth symphonies. 

Advanced Drums

Advanced drum students will progress towards mastery of playing drums and reading music, which will make them more versatile and more valuable musicians. Students approaching 11th and 12th grades benefit from John’s guidance applying for college scholarships based on musical ability. For students who are considering making music their career, John Cutrone’s expertise as a professional drum teacher and performer and his network of contacts with other world-class musicians help guide qualified students to a successful career. Even non-music majors benefit from John’s coaching to earn seats in ensembles at colleges where they are focusing on other disciplines such as Engineering, Biology, Medicine or Computer Science.  

Drum Kit

Students will discover the various drums and hardware that make up a drum kit. They will learn the body coordination of “sticks and feet” a drummer must master as the backbone of music. With proper drumming technique and knowledge of various grooves, beats, sticks and brushes, students will gain an in-depth understanding of the role of each element of a drum kit and how each works in concert to create the desired sound and tempo. Whether playing rock, hip-hop, indie, jazz, classical or heavy metal, there’s a method and technique to getting the best out of a drum kit. The parts, the sticks, the importance of the right stool for optimum posture, the position of each component  – from snare to pedal – will be explored. John Cutrone’s drum students will learn complex rhythms and be able to distinguish a boomy sound from a washy sound, from a crash sound and how each sound adds impact. 

Orchestral Percussion

A drummer who plays in an orchestra needs to be proficient using percussive instruments such as blocks, chimes, cowbells, cymbals, tambourines, timpani, triangles and xylophones. John Cutrone’s students will be introduced to the role of percussive instruments in an orchestra where timing and technique are key.