Congrats to Mountlake Terrace HS & our drum student Nigel: winning at Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival!

https://youtu.be/FWL23F3urI8?si=5pO2JVl0Hw6CYoNm Congrats to Mountlake Terrace HS & our drum student Nigel: winning at Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival! #congratulations @mthsjazzcommunity @mthsmusicboosters for winning the sweepstakes award at the Lionel Hampton jazz competition! Enjoy this parent video sneak peek of their winning performance. ???? Of course, we are sending a special shoutout to their drummer, our long time student Nigel, who has been learning with Steve Smith for years. ???????????? #lionelhampton#jazz#highschooljazz#bigband#awardwinning#seattledrumschool
Miss Mo’s Student Recitals video: All Kids, All Drummers!

Miss Mo’s Student Recitals video: All Kids, All Drummers!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyMegXUTZrg Miss Mo's Student Recital! Episode 1. All kids, all drummers! Saturdays May 4 & 11, 2024 12-2pm at The LAB at 1010 Seattle Drum School of Music Georgetown Come be impressed by the progress of Miss Mo's students, or watch the livestream on our YouTube and Facebook! Instructor Morgan Gilkeson. May 4th LINEUP 12:00 – Levon, 9 DF&C - Chance the Rapper, Drop It Like It’s Hot (clean but not Kids Bop!), duet 12 12:10 – Amit, 5 We Will Rock You, I’m Green, Billie Jean 12:20 – Noah, 6 This is What Heartbreak Feels Like – Calm Down…
SDSM Student on King 5: “8-year-old wants to change state hearing aid laws”

SDSM Student on King 5: “8-year-old wants to change state hearing aid laws”

Our drum student testified to WA State Legislature yesterday on House Bill 1222, which would require private insurance companies to offer hearing aid benefits. He was such a professional! Hugo’s family would immensely appreciate community support in pursuing this legislation. Please see how to support below the article/video. #thankyou UPDATE 2/3/23 Hello WA friends, Please click below and sign in as pro for HB 1222's public hearing in the Appropriations Committee on 2/8 where only 4 people have been asked to testify and Hugo and I are two of them! If this passes our insurance premium will go up by $0.40/month…
Lake City Way Student Miles Baker Absolutely Slaying “Two Seconds To Midnight”

Lake City Way Student Miles Baker Absolutely Slaying “Two Seconds To Midnight”

My student Miles Baker (12yrs old) is playing some pretty advanced stuff for his age, and it's for this reason I wanted to feature him on the website. He's got a great attitude, is keen on learning and he challenges me to be a better instructor. This tune is by The Alan Blaylock Jazz Orchestra. Way to go, Miles! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6mbuMM-WsQ All from memory too. He does read though! For comparison, here's the original, as performed by the Alan Blaylock Jazz Orchestra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXFlq-CKB6k&ab_channel=AlanBaylockJazzOrchestra-Topic

Co-Composing!

I build melodies and songs with my students by encouraging them to create three notes, then we take turns adding notes ~ and memorizing the melody as it grows. Sometimes we add chords. It's a great way to encourage creativity, strengthen the ear and musical memory, and have fun! My student Simon Englehardt and I came up with a lovely ditty called D. Thing. The Seattle Composers Alliance recently called for new music for string quartet, so I arranged our masterpiece for string quartet! It will premiere at the Chapel Performance Space in Wallingford on February 16, 2023! All ages…