Drums , Beginner to Intermediate Piano, Teacher in NYC

For nearly 20 years, Brad Crossland has been equally in-demand as a multi-faceted performer and passionate educator throughout the Midwest and New York City. A formally trained drummer, classical percussionist, world percussionist, and keyboardist, Brad’s performance experience spans every genre, style, and setting, regularly performing in high-profile wedding/event bands, jazz ensembles, orchestras, chamber ensembles, musical theaters, and recording sessions. Brad is an enthusiastic and experienced teacher of private lessons, music classes, and clinics, as well as director of varied musical ensembles.

• Master of Music – Performance (percussion, jazz drumset) from Western Michigan University

• Bachelor of Music – Performance (percussion) from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne

Brad teaches all styles of drumset, percussion, and piano, in addition to various musical subjects to all ages and ability levels. He has taught hundreds of hobbyists to aspiring professionals. Brad brings a patient and nurturing attitude to lessons, working especially well with elementary-aged beginners. He has prepared several students for successful college auditions and solo/ensemble competitions. He enjoys personalizing goals and lesson plans for each individual student, as well as authoring wide-ranging educational materials. Brad strives to incorporate as many supplemental subjects into lessons as possible – including music theory, music history, songwriting, improvisation, and ear training. Having had many incredible teachers and mentors who contributed to his own education, Brad cherishes the opportunity to spread the love and knowledge of music to his students.

Brad resided in his home town of Fort Wayne, Indiana until 2015, before relocating to Kalamazoo, Michigan for his graduate studies, then Holland, MI in 2019. During this time in Indiana and Michigan, he was a Midwest fixture, performing regionally with event bands Night To Remember (IN) and Bluewater Kings Band (MI), original projects Hope Arthur Orchestra and Fernando Tarango & the Wickersham Bros., jazz combo The Tom Knific Quartet, the renowned Wagon Wheel Theatre (Warsaw, IN), and the Warsaw Symphony of the Lakes, among many other acts and ensembles. He also worked with numerous school marching bands and concert bands,  while managing a roster of up to 60 private students at a time. As a graduate student at WMU and grad assistant to the percussion studio, Brad taught undergraduate percussion courses and conducted the University Percussion Ensemble. He was the principal timpanist for the University Symphony Orchestra, drummer for numerous jazz ensembles, and percussionist for numerous chamber ensembles. Brad continues to be a regular coach/clinician at the annual Keith Hall Summer Drum Intensive in Kalamazoo, MI.  Arriving in New York in 2022, Brad continues to serve as a freelance percussionist and drummer for numerous musical productions, pop/rock/jazz bands, and chamber ensembles, in addition to teaching music lessons and classes.