Hello! My name is Michael, and I teach drum set, percussion, piano, and guitar lessons at the Arlington School of Music in Arlington Heights, IL, welcoming students of all ages from Arlington Heights and across the greater Chicago suburbs. Music has been a huge part of my life since I started learning at age 8 in Southern California through my elementary school band program, and from there I dedicated myself to music throughout high school, performing in marching band, concert band, and jazz band.
My passion for music eventually took me to the professional level, where I performed with organizations in Drum Corps International and Winter Guard International. After that, I focused on music education in college and went on to teach at multiple award-winning high schools.
I have experience across a wide range of instruments and musical paths, with strengths in mallet percussion, drum set, piano, guitar, concert percussion, audio engineering, and jazz performance — a combination that lets me tailor every lesson to a student's own musical goals. Whether you're just getting started or looking to grow your skills, I believe music lessons should be engaging, fun, and inspiring.
For parents, I know how much trust it takes to hand your child's musical journey to a new teacher — that's why I focus on clear communication, patient encouragement, and a pace that fits your child's confidence, not a one-size-fits-all method book. For students, my hope is that you leave every lesson a little more curious and a little more confident than when you walked in, because music should feel like something you get to do, not something you have to do.
I'm excited to help you build confidence, discover your own musical voice, and fall in love with the process of making music at the Arlington School of Music. I can't wait to be your next percussion, piano, or guitar teacher — let's make something musical together!