Quality Percussion Lessons

My name is Agustin Faundez and I am currently 20 years old. I am a graduate of South Lakes High School in Reston, Virginia and currently a junior at State University of New York at Fredonia Mason School of Music, majoring in music performance and music therapy with a focus on percussion.

I have been studying and performing music for 9 years now. I have studied under the directions of:

· Aubrey Adams - Freelance percussionist, retired principal percussionist of Air Force Band, percussionist of Maryland Symphony, substitute percussionist of National Symphony Orchestra, South Lakes High School percussion instructor as well as private percussion instructor, and recording musician.

· Dr. Karolyn Stonefelt - Recording artist, currently head of Fredonia School of Music Percussion
Department, principal percussionist and timpanist of Western New York Chamber Orchestra, freelance percussionist, percussionist with Erie Opera Company, on and off Broadway percussionist, and retired percussionist from Baltimore Symphony.

· John Bacon - Staff percussionist at SUNY Fredonia Mason School of Music, freelance percussionist, substitute percussionist with Buffalo Philharmonic.

· Tiffany Nicely - Staff percussionist at SUNY Fredonia Mason School of Music, freelance percussionist, head of Percussion Department at Buffalo University in NY, and substitute percussionist for Buffalo Philharmonic.

· Bernard Woma - African drumming instructor at Fredonia School of Music, Ghanaian Master gyil player.

Experiences:

· During high school, I performed with the South Lakes Wind Ensemble, percussion ensemble, marching band, orchestra, choir, Fairfax Symphony, Reston Chamber Community Orchestra, and All District Symphonic Band.

· I have taught lessons for the past 3 years in a small percussion studio I hold at my home.

· I performed in multiple ensembles when in College, such as Percussion Ensemble, African Drumming Ensemble, World Mallet Keyboard Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra and Band.

· I marched in the South Lakes High School Drum Line for 4 years, played snare for 2. I am proficient in the warm ups, techniques, music reading and writing, open to teaching methods, and discipline of the drum line standard.

I also have previous experience teaching in the South Lakes High School percussion and drum line for 2 summers after graduation of high school. I am proficient in all main percussion instruments including snare drum (orchestral and rudimental/drum corps), mallet keyboard, timpani, and drum set, as well as auxiliary instruments, such as tambourine, triangle, shakers, hand drums, djembe, and many more.

Qualities:

· As a musician I am able to read, write and perform music, and have great patience for working with others as well as always being eager to learn something new. I believe I am a polite, positive, encouraging, friendly, independent, responsible individual, and always open for new experiences.

· Snare drum - I can teach orchestral, and rudimental/drum corps styles of snare drum. I focus on 40 rudiments, repertoire, technique (Matched or Traditional grips), musicality, expression, and quality of sound. I can also teach instrument tuning, care and maintenance.

· Mallet keyboard percussion - I am proficient at marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, glockenspiel, balophone, and gyil. I also focus on technique, accuracy, musical expression, quality of sound, 4-mallet (Stevens/traditional crossed/ Burton crossed) and 2-mallet technique and grip.

· Timpani- I have the ability to teach timpani technique (French/German), musicality, tone quality, tuning accuracy and methods, and repertoire.

· Drum set- I am a versatile player on drum set. I can teach multiple Latin styles, hip hop/rap, jazz, rock and funk. I focus on limb independence, musical expression, style understanding, ability to play and adjust with other musicians, tone quality, polyrhythms, rudiment use on drum set, versatility and popular repertoire for drum set.

Importance of Music:

· I believe music is a primary necessity in everyone’s every day lives, and by studying music through instruments, we learn not only about these instruments but also about ourselves and how our musical personas play a roll in each individual’s lives.

Percussion is as primal as an instrument gets. It dates to prehistoric times with ancient drums and the basic ability to keep a pulse. It is an instinct felt in all our lives through our heartbeat. Yet, it is a special craft that takes all life to perfection but creates unbelievable moments of joy and passion through music.

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