DRUM LESSONS WITH LISA ANN SCHONBERG
private lessons, group lessons, and workshops available.
I have been playing drums since I was a kid and teaching privately for over two decades. I taught at Revival Drum Shop in Portland, Oregon for 10 years. I have also taught at Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls, and in the Music & Sonic Arts department at Portland Community College. I am currently part-time faculty at Parsons/The New School, and am an artist mentor at Union Docs in Ridgewood, Queens.
I wrote a book on how to play the drums that is available here. It was published by Tom Tom Magazine, and was featured in the Paris Review and Modern Drummer magazine. In Aug 2025 I received my PhD in Electronic Arts, and developed music composition methods involving environmental sound of insects and percussion.
I am a warm, friendly and accessible teacher. I believe that a student becomes a drummer as soon as they pick up the sticks and start playing.
I am flexible on the material we practice, and adapt lesson plans to student interest and ability. I can teach you the drums to your fave songs!
I generally begin lessons with 5-10 minutes of rudiments and drills, adding new skills at each lesson. These are followed by lessons on beats, fills, etc.
I am very attentive to technique; the instructional book I wrote addresses many of these topics that I have observed across students over the years.
I currently drum in the Secret Drum Band, and perform solo. My past bands include Kickball, Explode into Colors, STLS, The Strangers, The Newman/Schonberg/Reyna Group, Lyrical Jester, Undakova & the Y5O, and Hits of Sunshine. I have drummed for/with Nadia Buyse/Dubais, Tara Jane Oneil, Mirah, Thao with the get down stay down, Jonathan Sielaff, Harry & The Potters, Gabriel Salomon & Peter Broderick, Cloud Eye Control, Tune-yards, and the Need.
Lessons are 30 or 60 minutes, and are tailored to the students’ particular interests. I specialize in teaching beginning to intermediate levels. I love teaching kids, as well as adult students who have always wanted to learn! It is never too late. 30 minute lessons are suggested for kids 8 and under.
You can start to learn even if you don’t have your own kit yet. All you need is a practice pad, or some chairs, unwanted books, or buckets to bang on. There is so much you can work on to develop your coordination before getting a kit.
Lessons are $75 for 30 minutes or $100 an hour. They are available at a discount at bulk rates of $275 for 4 half-hour lessons, and $375 for 4 hour lessons.
Bulk rates must be paid up front by the first lesson in the batch.
I can teach at my drum studio in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, NY, or at your home/studio within the 5 boroughs (if your place is > 30 minutes by MTA, there will be an additional fee).
For students outside NYC, lessons are available for specialized lessons on stick technique and rudiments.
Purchase drum lessons below, and I will be in touch to schedule. Or, write me at drummer.schonberg at gmail.com and we can schedule over email.