Hi, I’m Dmitri

I was born in Venice Beach, California where I began studying percussion at the age of five. At the age of ten, my family and I moved to Bali, Indonesia. There I studied Balinese Gamelan percussion and played in a 15-piece Gamelan ensemble. When I was 12, we moved again to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where I began studying drums. Shortly thereafter, I became the drummer for the professional Zimbabwean music group, Jaka, and toured with them for five years. I attended Berklee College of Music where I studied drum performance and music business, concentrating on learning to play in a variety of music styles from Jazz to heavy metal to World Music genres. Succeeding my studies at Berklee, I have joined and worked with numerous bands, tours and have recorded multiple albums.

My Approach To A Typical Lesson

I always strive for my students to grow their ability to express themselves through their instrument and through their musical sensibility. I achieve this though positive habit-building techniques and teaching my students to find excitement and joy in their practice routines. I teach this way so my students have the opportunity to become great expressive musicians, and so these positive principles carry into all other aspects of their lives.

My Advice For Students

Listen to as much music as possible and try to stay open to expanding your taste in music. Sing, hum, tap and play along to the music you listen to, no matter when or where you’re listening to it (unless it will disturb other listeners). Also, remember to always bring some joy into your day, everyday, by connecting with music and playing your instrument at least once.

My favorite places to go in NYC

The MET, The Blue Note, Smalls, Dirt Candy and Wave Hill