THE EARLY YEARS

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Charles "Charlie" Tappan, Edison, New Jersey

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Hand development, reading development, and advance rudimentary studies

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Dennis Nardone, South Amboy, New Jersey

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Drum set studies, jazz studies, basic chart reading & interpretation

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David Danielson, Freehold, New Jersey

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Mallet percussion studies (marimba)

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THE MUSIC CONSERVATORY LEVEL

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Nicholas Cerrato, Hudson Valley Philharmonic, drummer/percussionist for various New York Broadway musicals including "CATS", "Dream Girls" & "West Side Story"

New Jersey City University School of Music, Jersey City, New Jersey

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Timpani studies, orchestral repertoire, ensemble repertoire

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Michael Hinton, Percussionist for Liza Minelli, drummer/percussionist for various New York Broadway musicals including "Les Misérables", "Miss Saigon" and "NINE". 

New Jersey City University School of Music, Jersey City, New Jersey

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Mallet percussion studies, ensemble studies, new music studies & repertoire

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Elden "Buster" Bailey-Principal percussionist, New York Philharmonic, private study....although as I remember it, Buster was just laughing...at my horrible playing:)

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Orchestral studies: snare drum & xylophone

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Jay Facenda, Rockaway, New Jersey, private study

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Pop drum-set, funk studies

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I grew up in the very centralized New Jersey town of Edison.   I first became interested in music through my father, who was a saxophonist and band leader.  I would watch his band rehearse and perform, and that's how it all started.  I attended John P. Stevens High School, and was in the music program there under the direction of Andrew DeNicola.  As my skills developed, I would often sit in with my father's band, and learn by on-the-job training.  in addition, I started getting calls to do various types of musical engagements; everything from wedding receptions, school dances, and church services.  During this time, I was also able to audition for the regional and state bands and orchestras.  In my junior and senior years in high school, I was awarded first place in the New Jersey All State Wind Ensemble and All State Orchestra for two consecutive years.  This was really the time that I seriously decided to commit my future to becoming a professional musician.  I attended the New Jersey City University School Of Music for three years, before I got the opportunity to play the drums as a full time job.  I performed with several musical ensembles that took me to the New Jersey Atlantic City casino entertainment circuit.  In addition, due to my ability to read music and be proficient on all the percussion instruments, I was able to take on many opportunities that came my way, including rock and pop show bands, musical theater pit orchestras, symphony orchestras,  and studio recording sessions.  One of my aspirations during the journey was to be as versatile as I possibly could, have an open mind, and to be able to not say "no" when an opportunity came along.   Therefore, I made sure that I was able to wear many hats, and invested  in owning most of my own instruments, while also embracing the new technology need to master electronic percussion.  I never believed that classical percussionists were different than jazz drummers, or rock and pop drummers, or latin & world percussionists.  My belief was to be able to do it all, with no limitations or handicaps.  Hopefully, you will see some examples of this on the other pages of this site.

I now reside in the suburbs of Philadelphia.  I am a freelance drummer and percussionist, and I have had the fortune to be a part of many great musical endeavors.  Dance band, jazz, ethnic, national act drumming, musical theater drums & percussion, awards shows, timpani & percussion in  symphony orchestras, jingle and show soundtrack recording sessions, out of town Broadway show workshops, world premiers, and burlesque dance troupes.  The list continues to grow.  I am a firm believer of owning all my own instruments, and keeping them well maintained.  I designed this site, not only to let readers know about myself as a professional player, but to show readers what makes me tick, what goes on inside my mind, and how things look from my visual vantage point from behind the drums and percussion instruments.  You will be able to see my visions, and ideas on how I approach many different playing situations.