Private drum instruction

Drum Lessons in Rochester, NY

Personalized instruction for every age and skill level.

Master's, Eastman School of Music
10+ years teaching
All ages & levels

$50/hr · $30/30min · First lesson half off

Jacobo Vega-Albela holding a cymbal overhead — black-and-white portrait

Text or call (585) 802-4247

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What students say

Real wins, real students.

I had an audition for a jazz camp and decided to have a lesson with Jacobo. In one lesson he helped me improve so much, and I ended up getting into the camp. Highly recommended!

— Will, college student

I got into the conservatory in Brussels! Thank you so much for all your support — I learned a lot from you.

— Annie, music school graduate

My experience working with Jacobo was great. The exercises he writes really helped me with my flow. He is a drummer first and a teacher second, so everything he teaches comes from a practical base of knowledge and mastery.

— Joseph, hobbyist

Rates & packages

Transparent pricing, no surprises.

Standard rate

$50 / 60 min

$30 / 30 min

At my home studio in Rochester, or virtual over Zoom — same rate either way.

4-lesson pack

Save ~10%

$180 / four 60-min

$100 / four 30-min

Steady momentum, slightly better price. Reschedulable with 24h notice.

House calls

I come to you

Standard + $0.75/min commute

Round-trip travel time billed transparently — ideal for younger students.

Collegiate

Student discount

3 + 1 at 50% off

Book three lessons at full price, get the 4th half off. Proof of enrollment required.

K–12 special

Back-to-school

Buy 5, get 1 free

Runs Jul–Sep and Jan–Mar. Great for kids building a habit around the school year.

Referral bonus

Bring a friend

Both get 1 free lesson

Refer a student. Once they complete 3 lessons, you both get a free lesson on me.

Bulk packs are non-refundable but fully reschedulable with 24 hours notice. Illness exceptions always apply.

Not sure which option fits? Try a half-price first lesson — drum with me, then decide.

Book Your Half-Price Lesson

About me

Why study with me.

Clarity, honest feedback, steady wins.

I help students find their voice with assignments tailored to their individual needs — and I get results. I teach K–12 and adults, beginners through advanced, in rock, jazz, funk, Latin, and other popular styles.

Whether you're picking up sticks for the first time or preparing for a conservatory audition, the path forward is the same: clarity about what to practice, honest feedback, and steady wins. We figure out where you want to go, then build the habits to get you there.

I'm a working drummer first and a teacher second. Everything I assign comes from a practical base of knowledge — the same things I'm using on stage and in the studio.

Background

EducationMM, Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media — Eastman School of Music (2022, Schirmer Prize in Jazz Performance) · BM, Classical Percussion Performance — New Mexico State University (2019, Crimson Scholar) · Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead alumnus (2023)
TeachingPrivate instructor 2015–present · Lecture-style classes on drumset styles at Eastman · All ages and levels
PerformanceWestern New York Big Band, Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra, The Swooners, Silver Arrow, Trio 55, Brendan Lanighan Octet · Festivals: Rochester International Jazz Festival, Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, Las Cruces Juneteenth Jazz Festival

As featured inRochester City Magazine · Las Cruces Bulletin · Bob Osborne's Different Noises · WMSE, WFMU, KURU, KOWS-LP

Hear me play

What my playing sounds like.

Un-Belonging — my debut album on 577 Records (2025).

Performance footage — clips from recent shows and sessions.

More about me at jva-music.com.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions.

What's your cancellation policy?

24 hours notice, please. Bulk packs are non-refundable but fully reschedulable with 24h notice. Illness exceptions always apply, just let me know. If I have to cancel late on you, your next lesson is on me.

Do you teach beginners?

Yes: K–12 and adults. Most of my students start as beginners, and there's nothing to "catch up on" before lesson one.

Do you offer virtual lessons?

Yes, over Zoom. Same rate as in-person at my studio. It works great once we sort out a basic mic and camera setup, and I'll walk you through that on our first call.

What styles do you teach?

Rock, jazz, funk, Latin, and popular music more broadly. I cover reading and ear training, rudiments, technique, and sound on the kit. We'll shape the curriculum to your goals.

Where are you located?

Rochester, NY. The studio address is shared after booking. I also do house calls (see pricing) and virtual lessons over Zoom.