All of our teachers are carefully chosen for their teaching experience, communication skills, positive attitude, and enthusiasm for helping students learn. They share a philosophy of putting the needs of each student first, and in offering a supportive and encouraging environment for students to develop their skills and musicianship.
 

At the EBDS you will find teachers who are passionate about playing and teaching, and who are continually committed to improving their teaching skills. To that end, the EBDS holds regular teacher forums, where teachers have a chance to share their experiences with one another and learn from each other’s challenges and successes. All teachers at the EBDS are always striving to improve their teaching skills and understanding of music and drumming.



 

Jeremy Steinkoler

"A very swinging drummer who's mastered the art of coordinated independence." -East Bay Express

 

Since picking up his first pair of drumsticks at the age of 10, EBDS founder Jeremy Steinkoler has gone on to teach lessons, clinics and master classes in Dublin, Ireland, Ann Arbor, MI, and the SF Bay Area. After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1992, he founded BandWorks School of Rock in 1993 with guitarist Steve Gibson, which has grown into a thriving musical program serving over 1,200 students each year.  He has been on the faculty of Cazadero Performing Arts Family Camp for the past 26 years, where he was the Co-Director from 1999-2001.

In addition to teaching band workshops and a full roster of private students at the EBDS, Jeremy maintains an active performing schedule, playing around the San Francisco Bay Area on a weekly basis with his unique saxes-and drums trio Mo’Fone (featured repeatedly at the Monterey & SF Jazz Festivals), Erika Oba trio, Jean Fineberg & JAZZphoria, Jenna & the Charmers, Jennifer Jolly & Friends, Sam Rudin, and various singer/songwriters and jazz players in the Bay Area. He has performed at dozens of popular Bay Area venues and festivals, including the Monterey, San Francisco, and Sonoma Jazz Festivals, Art & Soul Festival, Yoshi’s, the Shoreline Amphitheater, and at Lincoln Center and the Village Gate in New York City. He has performed/recorded with members of the DIrty Dozen Brass Band, Dave Ellis, Adam Levy, Bonnie Hayes, Kirk Joseph, Clarence Bucaro, Chelle & Friends, Rachel Efron, Guru Garage, Hot Links, Valerie Orth, Christy McCarthy, Eda Maxym, Jenna Mammina, and many other bands and musicians. His music has been featured on radio stations across the globe.

Jeremy is the author of a series of educational articles published on vicfirth.com, and is proud to endorse Brooks Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Drumsticks, Aquarian Drumheads, Protection Racket Cases, Prologix Practice Pads, and Snareweight Dampeners.

Jeremy is the author of a collection of essays on drumming and teaching called Finding the Groove. Find out more at www.jsteinkoler.com .
 

Andrew Griffin
Andrew is a graduate of Berklee College of Music.  He has taught hundreds of aspiring drummers at East Bay Studio and has taught master classes at the Jazz School in Berkeley and for the California Percussive Arts Society. Andrew has perfromed/recorded with: CAKE, Camper Van Beethoven, Luce, Vince Welnick(Grateful Dead, Tubes, Todd Rundgren), Kenny Margolis (keyboards Cracker), Jonathan Richman, David Immergluck (Counting Crows), Roger Rocha (4 Non Blondes), Nate Query (bassist the Decemberists), Eric Holden (Bassist with Josh Groban, the Bodeans), Chris Xefos (of King Missile), Duane Jarvis (guitarist & co writer for Lucinda Williams), Jimmy Prescott (bassist G Love and Special Sauce), Steve Fisk (producer Nirvana, Soundgarden, the Posies, Soul Coughing), Carol Fran (blues singer and Ray Charles backing vocalist).  In addition to drumming, Andrew is also a singer/songwriter and producer.  He currently fronts Oakland based Indie rock group Felsen who have just released their third album.

John Hanes
John Hanes has been drumming and teaching in the bay area for over 30 years.

Here are some examples of his playing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPDZTrdbLwE
http://vimeo.com/61680791
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N2t449ScV0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF3I5v5AKkQ



John has been practicing Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido, a japanese martial art, for 15 years and holds the rank of nidan (2nd degree black belt). He brings the Aikido principles of mind-body coodination, relaxion, awareness, connection, and non-collision to his drum teaching method.
 

Here is some feedback from parents and students:

"Four years of drum lessons with John and my kid is still excited to go and play drums!"
"John is a good teacher because he teaches good stuff that makes you better while still going at your own pace. He's also good because he is nice and funny while he does the teaching. He is very experienced and will figure out how to do anything you want to. He inspires me to be a better drummer by giving me tips and pointers and stories about drumming and how he became a good drummer."

"I began taking drum lessons with John Hanes when I was 11 years old and am now studying liberal arts and jazz percussion at the Oberlin College & Conservatory. John has had a huge impact on me as a musician and as a person. His lessons were always accessible, engaging and fun. I was making progress and playing music I liked only weeks after I started taking lessons. John is a highly talented and versatile musician and a supportive and genuinely devoted teacher. He cares about his students and their progress, and his love of music and drumming always shines through. I'm grateful for his inspiration. John has been and continues to be an invaluable mentor to me."

"Drum lessons with John have been a highlight of my 14 year old's week for two years, and I've seen his skill improve steadily during that time. John packs theory, practice, listening, and love of music generally into each half-hour session. John is that rare find - a great drummer AND a great teacher. Add to that that he's also a dad who really 'gets' kids and you've got yourself the perfect drum teacher!"
 

Cyril (Cy) Grimsich

Cyril Grimsich has played with some of the best Bay Area musicians and enjoys teaching private lessons. Playing with local legends, such as Jeff Denson, Charles Hamilton, Cyril has been involved in the local music scene since he was 15. He has toured internationally to Japan. Along with playing with many of great Bay Area players, he has also studied with influential teachers/ players, including Thomas Pridgen, Josh Jones, and Alan hall.