Private drum instruction
Drum Lessons in
Rochester, NY
Personalized instruction for every age and skill level.
New students First lesson 50% off — just $25 for an hour.
- Master's, Eastman School of Music
- 10+ years teaching
- All ages & levels
$50 / 60 min · $30 / 30 min
Text or call (585) 802-4247Google-screened · Background-checked
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!
I got into the conservatory in Brussels! Thank you so much for all your support — I learned a lot from you.
He is a drummer first and a teacher second, so everything he teaches comes from a practical base of knowledge and mastery.
Super down to earth guy that knows his stuff. I've taken lessons from a few different people and he has been the best.
An awesome first drum lesson! Jacobo was thorough, covering everything from reading music to my first drum beat. Highly recommend!
Jacobo made me feel comfortable from the very first lesson. He was incredibly patient and understanding. I highly recommend taking lessons with him!
Transparent pricing, no surprises.
New students get 50% off the first lesson — rates below are the standard ones.
Standard rate
$50 / 60 min
$30 / 30 min
At my home studio in Rochester, or virtual over Zoom — same rate either way.
Save ~10%
$180 / four 60-min
$100 / four 30-min
Steady momentum, slightly better price. Reschedulable with 24h notice.
I come to you
Standard rate + $0.75/min round-trip travel
Travel billed transparently — ideal for younger students who can't easily get to the studio.
More options — student, K–12, and referral discounts
- Collegiate Student discount 3 + 1 at 50% off Book three at full price, the 4th is half off. Proof of enrollment.
- K–12 special Back-to-school Buy 5, get 1 free Runs Jul–Sep and Jan–Mar. Great for habit-building.
- Referral bonus Bring a friend Both get 1 free lesson 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.
Request My Half-Price LessonWhy 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
What my playing sounds like.
More about me at jva-music.com.