Each month, we take a closer look at one of the teachers involved in our Teacher Integration Program.
This month’s Teacher Spotlight focuses on Teo Marchese, from Bergamo, Italy. For more information, visit Teo at www.teomarchese.com
Read on to learn more about Teo and his teaching practice in Italy … and if you’d like to be considered for the teacher of the month spotlight – please click here to complete our application form!
Where are you located, and where do you teach?
I teach in Bergamo, near Milan in the north of Italy, in my recording studio and in some schools in this area.
How many students do you teach, and what is their range of ability levels?
I teach more or less 30 students plus children in schools but it depends, year by year, to contracts . The students range from 5 to 60 years . I have just for fun players ,and semipro drummers ….one is in a major contract and he tours more than me!
What are your favorite teaching materials?
I love New Breed -Gary Chester, African Rhythms -Mokhtar Samba, Stick Control and Accents and Rebounds -George Stone, Snare Drum Rudiments -Buddy Rich , and Benny Greb’s DVD The Language of Drumming.
How are you incorporating new media (DVDs, Mp3s, Internet, etc) into your teaching?
I love to make my students play with CDs and try rudiments with real music. So for example I put on “Get Off ” by Prince and we play together some combinations of rudiments or we read Wilcoxon rudimental solos..Then we look to all Hudson DVDs to point out every difference in style and posture because everyone of us is different..Well drummerworld, drumchannel and youtube are always on as well
What are your general thoughts on drumming, teaching, music….?
I believe that music is life. By saying that I mean teaching and playing is a sort of exchanging life experiences. When we learn/teach we are into a very deep contact with our soul. We have to become more and more aware of who we are to become better musicians and people. It is all linked …playing, listening, teaching , learning..it is inside ofour minds and our bodies …and moreover it creates a link to the outside. As a player I want to communicate who I am now to give the best emotional experience I can. I think I have to convey all my feelings to the audience, and the more I’m aware of my feelings the more I can be focused on entertaining. As a teacher I want to help students to live and to play near their feelings and emotions, no matter the level. I believe that dreaming is a good starting point to play..so I put my students in a sort of magic world.
Teo can be reached at any of the following web addresses in addition to our new community at community.hudsonmusic.com
www.myspace.com/teomarchese, www.teomarchese.com, www.myspace.com/dsrdoublestrokerecords, www.myspace.com/tubejamrecords, www.cavostudio.com