dRUM 4 life studios mission—is to connect AND RAPPORT with each student in a CONSISTENT manner to provide a quality lesson experience. their unique musical interests and goals help shape the lesson program process. lessons focus on the value and appreciation of drumming and music theory fundamentals. this has been the key element for students progress in their playing and musical skills and forming a firm foundation for learning for students for many years. it’s been a joy to see their unique creative self-expression take flight and propel their individual journeys ahead.

instrument instruction—drum set, concert band & orchestra percussion instruments (snare, bass drum, mallet percussion, etc…), Hand drumming (congas, djembe, and others)

music styles—rock, jazz & latin, funk & soul, concert & orchestral, and world drumming.

LESSON PROGRAM instruction will include:

technical skills

snare drum rudiments and the application of the rudiments to the drum set are fundamental and essential to having proper musical control of snare drum, drum-set, cymbals, ETC...
drum-set coordination/ INDEPENDENCe — this is the ability that allows drummers to play and interpret all music styles with relaxed skill and freedom of musical expression. this abilty allows drummers ffreedom to listen and blend well with the ensemble.
MUSICIANSHIP skills
applied music theory knowledge and competency for drums and percussion is essential. this practical knowledge is critical to for reading of drum set & percussion MUSIC notation.
these are the core skills for performance ensemble placement - whether middle school, high school, or college level, and beyond. both of these core skills help ensure placement and enrich a rewarding experience through the ensemble experience.
for drummers, i teach a song form chart system that instructs students to more easily grasp the “How does the song go” aspect of music—some basic ear training skills are added to discover and break down the drum parts of songs in varied music styles.
this is the practical application of our drum skills for knowing and playing the song!!

bio and music education background:
MY musical BACKGROUND includes 50+ YEARS OF PLAYING, PERFORMING AND TEAChING EXPERIENCE—this allows me to bring a broad base of knowledge and insight to all students.
bio: - my father was a professional drummer, and multi-talented musican all his life. music filled our family home and beyond growing up. sadly, dad passed when I was 9 years old, but a love of music and the seeds of wanting to be a musician (like dad) were planted!
through my mother’s association with Walt disney’s studios, a friend of mom’s recommeded my first drum teacher, mr. hack o’brien—with hack guiding the way, a solid foundation was laid and built upon for my drumming & musical path forward - my many thanks to mom & hack!
from the age of 13, i’ve remained thankful for growing up studying drums and music in an wonderful era of rich musical diversity, artistic creativity and opportunity i enjoyed.
music education:
los Angeles valley college (1974-1977) - music major program.
My Emphasis was upon developing excellence in ensemble performance with jazz & percussion ensembles, and orchestra & wind ensembles; an immersion into music theory, music appreciation, jazz history and commercial music studies.
the dick grove school of music (1973-1977) - music performance & music theory studies. a full immersion into a comprehensive music workshop study & performance ensemble curriculum with the best musicians of the Los angeles television and motion picture studio recording and american jazz music scene.
my private drumset lesson study- los angeles, ca
hack o’brien (1970-1974) - father of 1950’s mouseketeer cubby o’brien
Freddie gruber (1984-1986) - master teacher to hundreds of professionals
later professional development (2006-2012 Seattle, wa)
lonnie mardis - music director/ instrucotr at seattle central jazz orchestra. lonnie is a consummate musician, composer and instrumentalist
mark ivester, master drummer/ teacher
steve korn, master drummer/ teacher
arturo rodriguez, master percussionist and teacher of latin and world percussion.

ages 7/8 years old through adult of all abilities and backgrounds are welcome. i hope to hear from you soon and see you soon, at drum 4 life studios. kind regards, glenn thilman

drums — Percussion

instrument instruction—drum set, concert band & orchestra percussion instruments (snare, bass drum, mallet percussion, etc…), Hand drumming (congas, djembe, and others)

music styles—rock, jazz & latin, funk & soul, concert & orchestral, and world drumming.

LESSON PROGRAM instruction will include:

technical skills

snare drum rudiments and the application of the rudiments to the drum set are fundamental and essential to having proper musical control of snare drum, drum-set, cymbals, ETC...

drum-set coordination/ INDEPENDENCe — this is the ability that allows drummers to play and interpret all music styles with relaxed skill and freedom of musical expression. this abilty allows drummers ffreedom to listen and blend well with the ensemble.

MUSICIANSHIP skills

applied music theory knowledge and competency for drums and percussion is essential. this practical knowledge is critical to for reading of drum set & percussion MUSIC notation.

these are the core skills for performance ensemble placement - whether middle school, high school, or college level, and beyond. both of these core skills help ensure placement and enrich a rewarding experience through the ensemble experience.

for drummers, i teach a song form chart system that instructs students to more easily grasp the “How does the song go” aspect of music—some basic ear training skills are added to discover and break down the drum parts of songs in varied music styles.

this is the practical application of our drum skills for knowing and playing the song!!

bio and music education background:

MY musical BACKGROUND includes 50+ YEARS OF PLAYING, PERFORMING AND TEAChING EXPERIENCE—this allows me to bring a broad base of knowledge and insight to all students.

bio: - my father was a professional drummer, and multi-talented musican all his life. music filled our family home and beyond growing up. sadly, dad passed when I was 9 years old, but a love of music and the seeds of wanting to be a musician (like dad) were planted!

through my mother’s association with Walt disney’s studios, a friend of mom’s recommeded my first drum teacher, mr. hack *o’brien—**with hack guiding the way, a solid foundation was laid and built upon for my drumming & musical path forward - my many thanks to* mom & hack!

from the age of 13, i’ve remained thankful for growing up studying drums and music in an wonderful era of rich musical diversity, artistic creativity and opportunity i enjoyed.

music education:

los Angeles valley college (1974-1977) - music major program.

My Emphasis was upon developing excellence in ensemble performance with jazz & percussion ensembles, and orchestra & wind ensembles; an immersion into music theory, music appreciation, jazz history and commercial music studies.

the dick grove school of music (1973-1977) - music performance & music theory studies. a full immersion into a comprehensive music workshop study & performance ensemble curriculum with the best musicians of the Los angeles television and motion picture studio recording and american jazz music scene.

my private drumset lesson study- los angeles, ca

hack o’brien (1970-1974) - father of 1950’s mouseketeer cubby o’brien

Freddie gruber (1984-1986) - master teacher to hundreds of professionals

later professional development (2006-2012 Seattle, wa)

lonnie mardis - music director/ instrucotr at seattle central jazz orchestra. lonnie is a consummate musician, composer and instrumentalist

mark *ivester**, master drummer/ teacher*

steve *korn**, master drummer*/ teacher

arturo rodriguez, master percussionist and teacher of latin and world percussion.

ages 7/8 years old through adult of all abilities and backgrounds are welcome. i hope to hear from you soon and see you soon, at drum 4 life studios. kind regards, glenn thilman

drums — Percussion

instrument instruction—drum set, concert band & orchestra percussion instruments (snare, bass drum, mallet percussion, etc…), Hand drumming (congas, djembe, and others)

music styles—rock, jazz & latin, funk & soul, concert & orchestral, and world drumming.

LESSON PROGRAM instruction will include:

technical skills

snare drum rudiments and the application of the rudiments to the drum set are fundamental and essential to having proper musical control of snare drum, drum-set, cymbals, ETC...

drum-set coordination/ INDEPENDENCe — this is the ability that allows drummers to play and interpret all music styles with relaxed skill and freedom of musical expression. this abilty allows drummers ffreedom to listen and blend well with the ensemble.

MUSICIANSHIP skills

applied music theory knowledge and competency for drums and percussion is essential. this practical knowledge is critical to for reading of drum set & percussion MUSIC notation.

these are the core skills for performance ensemble placement - whether middle school, high school, or college level, and beyond. both of these core skills help ensure placement and enrich a rewarding experience through the ensemble experience.

for drummers, i teach a song form chart system that instructs students to more easily grasp the “How does the song go” aspect of music—some basic ear training skills are added to discover and break down the drum parts of songs in varied music styles.

this is the practical application of our drum skills for knowing and playing the song!!

bio and music education background:

MY musical BACKGROUND includes 50+ YEARS OF PLAYING, PERFORMING AND TEAChING EXPERIENCE—this allows me to bring a broad base of knowledge and insight to all students.

bio: - my father was a professional drummer, and multi-talented musican all his life. music filled our family home and beyond growing up. sadly, dad passed when I was 9 years old, but a love of music and the seeds of wanting to be a musician (like dad) were planted!

through my mother’s association with Walt disney’s studios, a friend of mom’s recommeded my first drum teacher, mr. hack o’brien—with hack guiding the way, a solid foundation was laid and built upon for my drumming & musical path forward - my many thanks to mom & hack!

from the age of 13, i’ve remained thankful for growing up studying drums and music in an wonderful era of rich musical diversity, artistic creativity and opportunity i enjoyed.

music education:

los Angeles valley college (1974-1977) - music major program.

My Emphasis was upon developing excellence in ensemble performance with jazz & percussion ensembles, and orchestra & wind ensembles; an immersion into music theory, music appreciation, jazz history and commercial music studies.

my private drumset lesson study- los angeles, ca

hack o’brien (1970-1974) - father of 1950’s mouseketeer cubby o’brien

Freddie gruber (1984-1986) - master teacher to hundreds of professionals

later professional development (2006-2012 Seattle, wa)

lonnie mardis - music director/ instrucotr at seattle central jazz orchestra. lonnie is a consummate musician, composer and instrumentalist

mark ivester, master drummer/ teacher

steve korn, master drummer/ teacher

arturo rodriguez, master percussionist and teacher of latin and world percussion.

ages 7/8 years old through adult of all abilities and backgrounds are welcome. i hope to hear from you soon and see you soon, at drum 4 life studios. kind regards, glenn thilman

through my mother’s association with Walt disney’s studios, a friend of mom’s recommeded my first drum teacher, mr. hack *o’brien—**with hack guiding the way, a solid foundation was laid and built upon for my drumming & musical path forward - my many thanks to* mom & hack!

mark *ivester**, master drummer/ teacher*

steve *korn**, master drummer*/ teacher