Musicality and health are at the forefront of my teaching. Students can expect to explore sound, gesture, and technique to perform at high levels of expression and control, all while forming good habits that result in injury-free, healthy playing for years to come.

Percussion is a wide-ranging discipline that is rooted in many different styles and backgrounds. The students that enter any studio are just as varied. As a teacher, I look to understand the students’ background, interests, and goals to tailor a path for them to continue to explore and grow in those areas. At the same time, I look to expand their musical outlook and expose them to the many instruments, genres, and knowledge base that encompasses the field of percussion. 

My studio looks to create a well-rounded percussionist with a strong foundation in keyboard instruments, snare drum, timpani, drum set, and world percussion. Though the goals of some students may be to specialize in only one of these, I have found that each of these disciplines aid in the learning and understanding of one another. They all play a role in a percussionist’s development.

Music is a holistic experience. I believe it is necessary to go beyond what’s on the page of music in front of them. My teaching reflects this by diving into a wide range of topics such as how one’s body functions during a performance, how emotions play a role in interpretation, and how the audience perceives what they are hearing. 

Listening is a crucial part of becoming a better musician. In our lessons, students will learn how to listen more attentively to what they are playing and how it relates to musical examples in every genre.

-Corey Sittinger