Percussion Lessons At The Conservatory

Percussion

Percussion Lessons At The Conservatory

Wisconsin’s Top Percussion Program

Whether you are first exploring the world of percussion or are well on your journey, the Conservatory Percussion faculty will guide you on your voyage. Offering individual and group instruction in drum set, orchestral percussion, rudimental studies, keyboard percussion, and hand percussion, the Conservatory is a perfect place to focus your craft or broaden your percussive palette.

Ages: All Ages
Locations:  Bayside/Fox Point, Downtown Milwaukee, Brookfield, Online

SPRING REGISTRATION

New Student Lesson Discount

$220 for six 30-minute lessons

In-person and online Zoom lessons give you access to more than 90 skilled faculty members for any instrument and genre. Join a community of more than 10,000 students and schedule your first lessons today!

 

REGISTRATION + INFO

african drumming

Percussion Lessons At The Conservatory

What You Can Expect

Percussion instruments can be found on stage with the symphony orchestra, marching in a parade or a football game, swinging with the jazz band, and making music in schools every day. The Conservatory’s percussion program will provide:

  • A welcoming and inclusive learning environment.
  • Solo and ensemble performance opporuntites, both informal and in recital format.
  • The chance to learn new rhythms and drumming techniques while exploring a vast repertoire.
  • Students between the ages of 9-14 can participate in Band Beginnings for a comprehensive music education.

 

 


Percussion Scholarship Auditions

APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 3, 2024

2024 Scholarship Auditions

Through generous financial support of our donors, the Conservatory annually awards merit scholarships to new and current students. These merit scholarships are meant to reward accomplishment, effort, and to encourage our talented students to further their skills. The Conservatory’s scholarship auditions provide a wonderful opportunity for students to have a professional assessment of their abilities within a positive and supportive environment.

Auditions for the 2024-2025 school year will take place on March 3, 2024. 

 

ONLINE APPLICATION FOR NEW STUDENTS

SCHOLARSHIP AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW & CURRENT STUDENTS

* The online application for New Students will be available on January 5, 2023. Current Conservatory students should request a scholarship audition application from their private lesson instructor. 

 


Jazz & Contemporary Music

The Conservatory’s new Jazz & Contemporary Music offerings will continue to preserve and share the unique heritage of American Jazz — a longstanding WCM tradition — while celebrating its proud heritage that is ever present in the music of today.

JAZZ & CONTEMPORARY MUSIC CLASSES JAZZ LAB FOR AGES 9 – 18


boys playing trombone

For Ages 9 – 14

Percussion Beginnings Package

In addition to individual music lessons and classes, kids & teens can enroll in several comprehensive packages that include a group class, private lesson, and music theory component.

PERCUSSION Beginnings


Dad and Daughters Together

Open for Percussion Students

Music Theory Classes

Create compositions, learn basic piano skills, and better understand the music that you create with our new Music Theory classes – now available for all ages.

Music Theory Classes can be taken individually or bundled with a private lesson and group class (Conservatory Prep package), for a comprehensive musical experience.

Learn More


Jazz Camp 2020

For Students with 2+ Years of Experience & Beyond

Intermediate & Advanced Programs

Students with at least two or more years on their instrument can enroll in an ensemble or audition for the Advanced Chamber Music Institute and the Honors Jazz Institute.


Dad and Daughters Together

Open to Percussion Students

Music Theory Classes

Create compositions, learn basic piano skills, and better understand the music that you create with our new Music Theory classes – now available for all ages.

Music Theory Classes can be taken individually or bundled with a private lesson and group class (Conservatory Prep package), for a comprehensive musical experience.

LEARN MORE


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Percussion Faculty

Meet Our Teachers

SEE ALL FACULTY

Eliana Alcocer

Education

  • B.M. – University of Wisconsin-Parkside
  • M.M. – University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Background

Why did you choose to work at WCM?

I like that I can work in an individualized setting such as private lessons or I can work in the community and share music with larger groups. I also like that I get to work alongside such amazing artists who support me and that I can continuously learn from.

What year did you start working at WCM?

2020

Describe a musical experience or teacher that had a positive impact on you.

My percussion professor at UW-Parkside was someone who constantly supported me and pushed me to be my best. He also encouraged me to create my own path as an artist. He inspires me as an educator and performer and my goal is to be that kind of mentor to my students.

Benjamin Haimann

Coordinator – Private Lessons

Education

  • Bachelor’s Degree, Music Education, Music Performance | Ohio State University
  • Master’s Degree, Music Performance | University of South Carolina

Background

  • Began his musical studies at age nine, playing drum set and taking private percussion lessons.
  • Coached the percussion ensemble and spent time conducting the wind ensemble as a Teaching Assistant and Counselor for the Instrumental Music Program at The North Carolina Governor’s School East(summers of 2014-2015).
  • Was the Front Ensemble Instructor with the Grove City High School Marching Band, including a trip to the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California (2016-2017).
  • Received the prestigious Presser Foundation Scholarship while studying at Ohio State.
  • Worked as a Graduate Assistant for the University of South Carolina percussion studio and was the percussionist for the Spark Collective, a graduate quintet focusing on community engagement through music.
  • Won the concerto competition at the University of South Carolina in 2018 and performed Kevin Puts’ Marimba Concerto No. 1 with the University of South Carolina Symphony Orchestra in 2019.
  • Enjoys practicing marimba, making coffee, and hanging out with his dog, Lila.

Hannah Johnson

Education

  • Bachelor of Music, Jazz Studies | Indiana University Jacobs School of Music

Background

  • Joined the Conservatory faculty in January 2019.
  • Teaches and plays various styles of music on the drum set, specializing in jazz.
  • Plays with her modern jazz quartet in the Milwaukee area.
  • Featured as an instructor for the Vic Firth video series “Inside the Teaching Studio” entitled How to Sound Like Elvin Jones.
  • Has played with musicians such as Leni Stern, Ingrid Jensen, and Jamie Baum.
  • Enjoys teaching the bucket drumming and world percussion classes through the Conservatory Connections program, as well as private percussion lessons.

Ryan Kahlbaugh

Education

  • Bachelor of Music, Percussion Performance | Manhattan School of Music
  • Master of Music | DePaul University
  • Performance Certificate | DePaul University

Background

What year did you start working at WCM?

2015

Why did you choose to work at WCM?

I wanted to be a part of a larger musical community.

Describe a musical experience or teacher that had a positive impact on you.

Playing on Stewart Copeland’s drum set at an MSO concert!

 

Mitchell Shiner

Coordinator – Jazz & Contemporary Music

Education

  • B.M. Jazz Studies, Emphasis Percussion | Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
  • 2024 Certificate of Excellence in Studio Teacher | Civic Music Milwaukee

Background

What year did you start working at WCM?

2016

Why did you choose to work at WCM?

I am able to teach two of my loves of music at WCM — Jazz and Percussion — to students of all levels. WCM provides a space for early learners, middle- and high- school, and lifelong amateurs to engage with music in a meaningful way. WCM has played a large part in the music education community of Milwaukee for decades and I am glad to be part of the tradition.

Describe a musical experience or teacher that had a positive impact on you.

Shortly after graduating from Indiana University, I was hired to play percussion with the IU Vocal Jazz Ensemble on a concert at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in Bloomington, IN. They were performing with legendary vocalist Bobby McFerrin. At one moment in the concert, McFerrin and I were improvising together. He briefly broke away from singing and vocal percussion, looked at me and said, “Your Music is For Sharing.”

Website

www.shineymusic.com

SEE ALL FACULTY

Girl Playing The Violin

Music Education For The Community

Community Partnerships

Does your school, church, early childhood center, public library, senior center, or community organization have a need for quality music education programs in the Milwaukee area? The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music offers community programs to match your need!

CONSERVATORY CONNECTIONS