Home I About I Prices I Instruments I Courses I Summer I Recording I Events I Musicians I Contact/Location I Links

voice  piano  guitar/bass strings  woodwind  brass  drums  ukulele courses 

 

 

We use a Roland electronic drumset and an acoustic drumset for private lessons.

Drumset -  David Pontello

Drumset - Matt MacKinnon

 

Drumset - Matt MacKinnon

studied music at the prestigious Humber College. Matt graduated with a degree in “Contemporary Applied Music” with an emphasis in recording and a certificate in “Intro to Commercial Jazz”. Matt also has a bachelor of education degree from the University of Ottawa

While attending Humber Matt had the opportunity to study with many of Canada’s top musicians including drummers Don Vickery, Ted Warren, Paul Delong, Chendy Leon, and Mark Kelso, and in addition instrumentalists  Al Kay,

Rik Emmett and Kirk MacDonald.

Matt is an experienced recording artist and performer, and is currently performing in the Ottawa area. Matt also composes music covering styles from jazz, folk and rock to music for a typewriter lending his original bent to each tune. Matt’s CD entitled “Bean Green over Blue”, released in September 2009, features nine of his original compositions. 

 

Matt is an experienced teacher working with students of all ages. He has gained great respect from his pupils for his methodical and clear teaching style. Matt encourages his students to build a solid musical foundation with proper technique, and a clear understanding of drum styles including rock, pop, Latin and jazz. Matt also coaches students on how to play within a band situation, how to develop listening skills and interaction with other musicians and solo techniques.

Matt's website: www.drummingmatt.com

 

Visit Matt at MySpace to hear some sample tracks including three original tunes which are on his CD as well as to find out where he will be performing in the near future.
 

Lesson Price: For information about our lesson prices and our policies please click here

 

Drumset - David Pontello

As an instructor, David Pontello uses a clear and patient teaching style to help students of all ages and skill levels develop good listening habits, time, rhythm and phrasing, drum set control and natural, proper technique.  His program is designed to give beginner and intermediate students a solid foundation for successful musical performance in any style.   

 

In addition, David welcomes advanced students who are ready to take the next step in their personal development, whether it is preparation for university and college auditions, or simply honing the skills needed to embark on a professional career.  Using a variety of resources - including renowned teacher Jim Blakley’s methods and books - he works to help students develop a flowing, lyrical and personal playing style, as well as their overall musicality on the drum set.  David also offers instruction in Music Theory.  

 

David is a Toronto born-and-raised drummer/percussionist now happily living in the Nation's capital.  He obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music from York University, and subsequently spent 7 years studying with renowned drum set teacher Jim Blakley.  In addition, David holds his Grade 8 Piano certificate from the Royal Conservatory of Music and studied jazz piano for 8 years with noted instructor Brian Rudolf. 
 

In Toronto, David's work as a freelance musician included extensive playing, touring and recording with folk singer-songwriter Justin Rutledge and Louisiana-Cajun band Swamperella, as well as live/studio work with Sean Cullen, The Doo Wops, Sarah Calvert and David Hein, among others.  He also performed in extended runs of the hit musicals "Evil Dead:  The Musical" (Just For Laughs, Toronto and Montreal) and "My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding" (Mirvish Productions, Toronto).  Since being in Ottawa, David has quietly-but-quickly established himself on the local music scene.  He regularly plays with vocalist Renee Yoxon, saxophonist Richard Page and singer-songwriter Glenn Nuotio.

 

Lesson Price: For information about our lesson prices and our policies please click here

 

For more detailed information regarding our drumset lessons and clinics please email us:

info@alcornmusicstudios.com