Private Percussion Lessons

Lessons occur weekly on either Monday or Tuesday EST. Length of lesson varies from 30, 45, 60, 75, or 90 minutes in length depending on student needs and budget. One-off lessons and various non-traditional lesson plans are available as well.

Dr. Rocheteau specializes in classical percussion including orchestral, solo, and chamber music studies.

Other areas of study include marching percussion and drumset.

Dr. Rocheteau is a rigorous teacher who devotes equal attention towards the development of ear training, music theory, and musicianship as he does to the technical mastery of percussion playing. This is an identical approach to the world-class education of a classically-trained pianist or violinist.

Dr. Rocheteau is both an actively-performing professional classical percussionist and the Director of Percussion Studies at the Sunderman Conservatory of Music at Gettysburg College.

Education

• Doctor of Musical Arts - Univ. of Maryland

• Graduate Performance Diploma - Peabody Conservatory

• Master of Music - Peabody Conservatory

• Bachelor of Music Education - Univ. of Massachusetts

• Bachelor of Music Performance - Univ. of Massachusettss

Marching Percussion Qualifications

• UMass Amherst Drumline - Drumline Section Leader

• Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps - Tenorline Section Leader

Each student will go through my curriculum that is paced and catered to each student’s needs, interests, and long-term goals. All of this is done in an environment that is positive and encouraging.

Auditions are not required to join the studio. No prior experience with percussion or music is required either.

All students are expected to be hardworking, practice regularly, and are hungry to learn.

While not all students go on to be professional musicians, all leave with vital life skills that can be applied to any aspect of their lives. These skills include understanding the value of hard work, dedication, and consistency. The development of these skills builds confidence that can be applied to every area of their lives.

I expect the families of accepted students to support the development of these skills at home. Regular and long-term patterns of not meeting these expectations may result in the termination of lessons.

Tuition is due one month in advance at the beginning of each month. Schedule a free 30 minute consultation for exact pricing.

Payment can be made via check or Venmo. Bi-weekly autopay via PayPal is also an option, but that will incur an additional 3.5% PayPal transaction fee.

Lessons are weekly on either Mondays or Tuesdays.

As Dr. Rocheteau is often traveling for performances, please prepare for the occasional rescheduling of lessons. Since most of his performances are done on weekends, and lessons are on either Mondays or Tuesdays, rescheduling is not regular.

Lessons happen year round. There will be a winter break each year which will begin no later than December 20th and resume no earlier than January 4th. Exact dates will be provided each year.

48 hours notice must be given to cancel a lesson. Otherwise, makeup lessons are not administered.

As long as there is a 48-hour cancellation notice, a makeup lesson can be administered for any reason (birthday, holidays, etc…). All make up lessons are scheduled outside of the regular lesson time.

If the student becomes ill or if there is an emergency, please notify Dr. Rocheteau as soon as possible. Under these conditions, makeup lessons will be issued regardless of notification timeline.

When going on a family vacation or holiday, time off from lessons must be communicated at least 2 weeks in advance.

You only need a drum pad, snare drum stand, drumsticks, and a stick bag to start.

Students are expected to purchase all of their music. Dr. Rocheteau will consult with each student to determine what music needs to be purchased.

Dr. Rocheteau will give recommendations for various sticks and mallets to be purchased. These purchases will be spread out over the entire length of study and vary based on the student’s long-term goals.

From time to time, I use photos and short videos of my students on my website or in social media posts.

These photos and videos are used for encouraging other students and promoting the studio. If you do not want your child's image(s) to be used, please let me know. This is not a requirement, and you can change your mind at any time.

Students are identified only by their first name, or no name at all.