Contact Jeremy for more info or to set up drum lessons.
Big Jerm starting giving drum lessons in 1998, just weeks after graduating from UNCG with a Marketing degree. Although he enjoyed the business knowledge he learned in college, he was ready to do something different. The opportunity came by way of a casual phone call from his friend/roommate Shawn Elbel. It went something like this, "Hey man, I'm leaving to go on tour next week, do you want the seven students I have?" Of course, this was a great opportunity, and Jerm quickly agreed to take over. But then Jerm realized that he had never taught anyone before, and had only taken a few lessons himself! He spent all week going over the book Shawn used and got familiar with where the students were in their lessons. The first couple weeks were certainly challenging, but Jerm quickly found out that whatever shortcomings he had with formal training were overshadowed by his skill at drumming, and his personality in the lessons.BACKGROUND
Several years prior to diving into the teaching world Jerm had taken some lessons from the great Teacher/Funk Drummer Kenny Soule. Kenny had played with the band Nantucket in the late 1970's and at the time of his lessons, Kenny's band, Dag, had just signed a two-album deal with Columbia Records. Kenny is a master of technique and independence on the drums, as well as one funky human being. He was initially impressed with Jerm's natural time-keeping ability, but quickly convinced him to change his form and to work on his independence by learning more funk music. This was a turning-point for Jerm and he quickly began soaking up the techniques that Kenny had showed him. More importantly, he saw that teaching drums didn't have to be so strict and refined. Kenny was a professional musician that taught during the day and did recording sessions and live gigs at night. Jerm thought, "Man, that's the life!"From that point on, Jerm sought out music in every way he could. Still keeping up with his studies at UNCG, he continued to play in his band, "The Substitutes", who worked with Producer Dick Hodgin and played shows all over North Carolina. Later the band scaled back to a three-piece and changed their name to Stickboy. All the while, Jerm juggled college, work, and playing in a band. This period taught him the importance of discipline, and also let him know that he wanted to pursue music as a career if the opportunity presented itself.
CURRENTLY
Jerm has now been teaching drums for ten years. He has a roster of over 30 students ranging in age from 5 to 50! He teaches most styles, but prefers Rock and Funk drumming. He is currently working on perfecting his double-bass technique and continues to expand his musical tastes by playing in the Variety band Hip Pocket. ©2009 BigJerm.com
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