Jeremy Noller, percussion M.M., Manhattan School of Music B.M., University of North Florida “Drum set is in most of the music we hear on a daily basis and teaching a student to decipher and play what he or she hears really unlocks the mystery behind the music.” External Links: www.jeremynoller.com Jeremy Noller found his niche as a percussionist after switching from piano lessons. “My parents had a rule that my sisters and I all had to study piano, but for as long as I can remember I wanted to play the drums. When school band started up in 4th grade, I chose percussion and got my first snare drum. After a few years of begging I got my first drum set in sixth grade.” As a teacher, Jeremy focuses on helping his students learn how to teach themselves. “Drum set is in most of the music we hear on a daily basis and teaching a student to decipher and play what he or she hears really unlocks the mystery behind the music.” Jeremy encourages all his students to listen to music and transcribe different styles of drumming. He also stresses sight reading and understanding song forms “to prepare my students for any musical situation they may face.” Jeremy is open to teaching students as young as five. “Drumming is a great introduction to music for young students. I use a variety of percussion instruments and focus on playing by ear to help students develop their musical listening skills.” “I am a diehard jazz fan,” says Jeremy of his musical tastes. His favorite composers include Wayne Shorter, Thelonious Monk, and Wynton Marsalis. “I have always been into classical music as well, specifically the music of Stravinsky, Hindemith, and Reich. In the past few years I have also really gotten into the traditional drumming music of Guinea, West Africa.” As a performer Jeremy most enjoys playing in a small jazz combo setting “because there is so much interaction and communication that can take place when everyone is listening and working towards a common creative goal. When everyone comes together in the moment, it’s a really magical feeling.” He also has his own jazz group that he composes and arranges for. “The music is a combination of straight-ahead jazz and traditional West African rhythms.” In his free time Jeremy loves to cook which goes along with his other love…“eating good food!”