Mike Nevin Percussion

Introduction: Hello! I’m a percussion teacher living in Lakewood, Colorado, and I’m opening several new time slots for private percussion students. Lessons are typically 60 minutes once a week, and your first lesson is free! Over the last 40 years as a percussionist, I’ve built an extensive resume as an educator, composer/arranger, clinician, and skilled performer. I began playing percussion at age 9, started playing drum set professionally at 14, and started teaching at 17. In that time, I’ve performed on a wide range of percussion instruments with professional orchestras, jazz bands, rock bands, percussion ensembles, and world music ensembles. As an educator, I’ve helped build several successful high school, university, and independent music programs in the US and abroad. • I earned my Bachelor of Education K-12 degree from Montana State University and my Master's in Percussion Performance from the University of Northern Colorado. • Since 1989 I have taught percussion for many of the best band programs in Colorado including Grandview and Cherry Creek high schools. • I served as the Interim Director of Percussion at Colorado State University from 2001-2002. • I've been the front ensemble percussion arranger and instructor for many of the world's best drum corps and indoor drumlines, including the Concord Blue Devils, Denver Blue Knights, Blue Knights World Indoor Percussion Ensemble, and the SOKA Renaissance Vanguard in Tokyo, Japan. •My original music has been performed by ensembles from around the U.S. and Internationally, garnering several awards. As one of my students, you’ll get the chance to: • Start from the beginning or improve your current skills on the instrument(s) of your choice. +Snare Drum +Mallets +Drumset +Marching Percussion +And more… • Develop a solid foundation as a strong percussionist. • Learn music theory • Prepare for high school, college, or independent auditions. • Get a jump on the upcoming school year! These are some of the core fundamentals I focus on with my students: • Proper technique on all percussion instruments • Rhythm and note reading • Timing and rhythmic accuracy (How to truly use a metronome) • How to practice efficiently • Applying music theory to learn pieces faster with more depth and understanding I’m very passionate about music and passing on my years of knowledge to newer generations of musicians. My hope is to instill a lifelong appreciation of music in my students whether they plan to become professional musicians or not. Through private lessons, I believe students can develop a stronger sense of individual responsibility, leadership, and discipline that carries into their daily lives, especially in school. In my experience, those students then spread the same qualities to those around them.