San Diego Area Drum Teachers

Danny Glassen

Danny Glassen has been a drummer for about 10 years and is now starting to take on students for drum lessons once again through Henderson Academy of Music! Danny went through a training program a few years ago called Drumeo for Teachers. In addition, he has completed 3 training camps in Vancouver, BC, Canada at the Drumeo Headquarters where he learned from Jared Falk, Benny Greb, Dave Atkinson, the Orlando Drummer and many more.

Danny grew up in south New Jersey, nearest to Long Beach Island, and now is living in Solana Beach, San Diego.

Koosha Hakimi

Koosha is a San Diego based drummer/composer/pianist who's been gigging and teaching in the San Diego and Orange County area for the past five years. Starting as early as six years old on the piano and picking up playing the drums in middle school. He recently graduated from UC Irvine with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Drums Performance. 

Koosha studied under professional musicians such as Jason Harnell (Maynard Ferguson), Kei Akagi ( Miles Davis) and Darek Oles (Brad Mehldau) to name a few.

He is very versatile in playing a lot of different styles such as Jazz, Rock, Latin, Country, Funk etc. and has a clear vision on how to help students become great musicians. 

Lucas Widdes

Lucas has been playing and teaching professionally for over 15 years. He earned his Associate's Degree in Percussion from Musician's Institute in Hollywood CA in 2009 where he studied under world famous teachers including Fred Dinkins, Stewart Jean, Chuck Silverman, Donny Gruendler, Ray Luzier and Glen Sobel. He has played and written with bands all over southern CA at some of the world's top venues, in bands of all styles. He teaches privately and has taught at School Of Rock & U.S. Music, Take Lessons, Music Clout, & CREW. He is a #1 best selling author for his book "Drum and Grow Rich", which now has it's own community, apparel and (coming soon) Online Academy. 

Lucas' students and parents love his relaxed yet effective teaching methods because students progress towards their playing objectives consistently and in an enjoyable way. He spends the first part of each lesson teaching technique and application, then uses the second part of the lesson to learn songs or music. Each lesson is customized for you (or your child) so you have the most success possible.

Rachel Foster

Rachael began playing piano at the age of seven and this foundation quickly led her to learn more and more instruments - first clarinet, saxophone and vibraphone, then acoustic and electric guitar, then drum kit and violin. 

In 2010 she was accepted into Berklee College of Music in Boston as a piano major where she furthered her instrumental studies and developed a passion for orchestral composition and film scoring. After graduating in 2012, her work with the Chicago Symphonietta led her to Chicago where she began writing music for short films and ad agencies. In 2016, the sunny weather drew her to San Diego where she currently teaches music to beginners through advanced students and hopes to inspire students to not only have a broad understanding of music but also to create and share their own works.

Kurt Buske

Kurt Buske, a native San Diegan, has been playing drums for over 25 years now. Within 5 years of starting to play the drumset, his instructor at the time asked him to teach out of his studio at Music Mart. Kurt agreed and this decision inspired him to teach drums for several years at multiple studios. After Music Mart, Kurt taught drumset at his home studio, El Jibarito Music Studios, California Music Studios and The Salvation Army Kroc Center where he developed beginning and intermediate group drum instruction classes. Beyond teaching and sharing his love of drumming with others, Kurt is an accomplished musician, having been in countless San Diego bands and recording 15 albums of original music. Although known for his punk rock drumming in numerous bands, he's also played metal music, alternative rock, Irish rock and worship music. 

Kurt's approach to instruction revolves around teaching drummers how to more effectively approach the instrument from a physical standpoint, learn how to read drum music and develop their ear. Playing drums effectively requires understanding of how to use your body in ways you don't in everyday activities and he's learned that many drum teachers don't pay enough attention to this important aspect of playing. Reading drum music is easily accomplished with a system of using the right books with consultation from a professional instructor. Developing the ability to listen to music and play what you hear is also an important component of learning to play the drumset. Beyond those core components of Kurt's teaching, students learn how to play for the music and how to make music feel good through the addition of tasteful grooves. He understands that most students want to be able to play the drums with other musicians so his goal is to give them the tools to be able to play with others and continually expand their understanding of the drums on their own. When students can read music, establish a good physical approach to the drumset and use their ear effectively, they have a strong foundation that they can use to learn various styles of music for years to come. 

Kurt looks forward to the opportunity to help you expand your drumming ability and knowledge!