Online group drum class
A 10-week online drum class
for complete beginners.
Drumset Jumpstart 1 (DJ1) is a small online cohort over Zoom — no kit to start.
Pilot cohort Capped at 10 seats — waitlist now open.
- Master's, Eastman School of Music
- 10+ years teaching
- Small group, capped at 10
Google-screened · Background-checked
Ten weeks, ninety-minute sessions, ten people.
Structured curriculum
A guided arc from your first stroke through reading, technique, and groove fundamentals.
Long enough to play
Each class leaves room for individual feedback — not just lecture.
Small group format
Small enough that I can hear you. Big enough that you'll learn from each other.
Pad, sticks, book
A practice pad, a pair of sticks, and Ted Reed's Syncopation. No drumset needed to start — and use my free online metronome for daily practice. When you move to the kit, start with my Three Basic Rock Beats.
First-time drummers, real wins.
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!
Super down to earth guy that knows his stuff. I've taken lessons from a few different people and he has been the best.
Two ways to join.
Full course
$250 / 10 weeks
Locks in your seat for the whole cohort. Works out to $25 per class — $50 less than drop-in.
Drop-in
$30 / class
One session at a time, no commitment. Subject to space — full-course students get priority.
Payment via Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal. Full course due before the first class; drop-in pays per session.
Ready to claim a seat? The pilot cohort is capped at 10 — get on the waitlist and I'll be in touch with dates.
Request a Waitlist SpotWhy study with me.
Practical, honest, steady wins.
I'm a working drummer first and a teacher second. Everything I assign comes from a practical base — the same things I'm using on stage and in the studio.
Most of my students start as beginners, and there's nothing to “catch up on” before week one. The path is 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.
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 · K–12 and adults · Beginners through advanced
- PerformanceWestern New York Big Band, Las Cruces Symphony, The Swooners, Silver Arrow, Trio 55, Brendan Lanighan Octet · Festivals: Rochester International Jazz Festival, Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, Las Cruces Juneteenth Jazz Festival