The Modern Drummer Education Team is made up of a selection of top drummers, educators, and clinicians from around the world, and each member is also a regular columnist for Modern Drummer Magazine. Over the years, the MD Education Team has brought you cutting-edge and informative articles on a range of topics, from basic technique and practice methods, to more advanced concepts like soloing over ostinatos, playing with drum loops, and creating linear grooves.

MD Education Team Members
(Click images to view full bios)

  • [MDEdTop]Steve Fidyk co-leads the Taylor/Fidyk Big Band with Stan Kenton arranger Mark Taylor, and he has performed with Slide Hampton, Maureen McGovern, James Moody, New York Voices, Arturo Sandoval, Doc Severinsen, Terell Stafford, Dr. Billy Taylor, and Clark Terry. Fidyk has studied with Joe Morello, John Riley, Kim Plainfield, Jim Chapin, and Ed Soph and...1January 27, 2012

    Steve Fidyk

    [MDEdTop]Steve Fidyk co-leads the Taylor/Fidyk Big Band with Stan Kenton arranger Mark Taylor, and he has performed with Slide Hampton, Maureen McGovern, James Moody, New York Voices, Arturo Sandoval, Doc Severinsen, Terell Stafford, Dr. Billy Taylor, and Clark Terry. Fidyk has studied with Joe Morello, John Riley, Kim Plainfield, Jim Chapin, and Ed Soph and…

  • [MDEdTop]Jim Payne has performed with Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, Pee Wee Ellis, Michael Brecker, and Dave Liebman, as well as with his own group, the Jim Payne Band. A respected historian of funk and R&B drumming, Payne has authored several classic books on the subject, including Give The Drummers Some: The Great Drummers of R&B,...0January 27, 2012

    Jim Payne

    [MDEdTop]Jim Payne has performed with Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, Pee Wee Ellis, Michael Brecker, and Dave Liebman, as well as with his own group, the Jim Payne Band. A respected historian of funk and R&B drumming, Payne has authored several classic books on the subject, including Give The Drummers Some: The Great Drummers of R&B,…

  • [MDEdTop]Claus Hessler currently teaches at the University for Music and Performing Arts in Frankfurt, Germany, and he is a professor at Keimyung University in Daegu, South Korea. He’s an active clinician in Europe, Asia, and the United State, having appeared at the Jim Chapin Memorial event in New York City, the International Percussion Summer Camp...2January 25, 2012

    Claus Hessler

    [MDEdTop]Claus Hessler currently teaches at the University for Music and Performing Arts in Frankfurt, Germany, and he is a professor at Keimyung University in Daegu, South Korea. He’s an active clinician in Europe, Asia, and the United State, having appeared at the Jim Chapin Memorial event in New York City, the International Percussion Summer Camp…

  • [MDEdTop]Bill Bachman is a world-renowned specialist in hand technique with a heavy background in rudimental drumming and its application to the drumset. Bachman is a regular contributing columnist for Modern Drummer magazine, author of the book Stick Technique: An Essential Guide for the Modern Drummer (Modern Drummer Publications) and the Logic marching percussion instructional series...1January 25, 2012

    Bill Bachman

    [MDEdTop]Bill Bachman is a world-renowned specialist in hand technique with a heavy background in rudimental drumming and its application to the drumset. Bachman is a regular contributing columnist for Modern Drummer magazine, author of the book Stick Technique: An Essential Guide for the Modern Drummer (Modern Drummer Publications) and the Logic marching percussion instructional series…

  • [MDEdTop]Donny Gruendler has played behind such artists as Kenny Burrell, John Medeski, D.J. Logic, the Funk Brothers, and Rhett Frazier Inc. He has composed and/or played on jingles for Axe Body Spray, RE/MAX on the Boulevard, and NPR. His film/TV credits include Last Holiday, Father of Invention, and the Showtime feature Chicago Overcoat. Gruendler also...0January 24, 2012

    Donny Gruendler

    [MDEdTop]Donny Gruendler has played behind such artists as Kenny Burrell, John Medeski, D.J. Logic, the Funk Brothers, and Rhett Frazier Inc. He has composed and/or played on jingles for Axe Body Spray, RE/MAX on the Boulevard, and NPR. His film/TV credits include Last Holiday, Father of Invention, and the Showtime feature Chicago Overcoat. Gruendler also…

  • [MDEdTop]Marko Djordjevic has played on over forty albums and has performed with artists such as 
Wayne Krantz, Bill Frisell, Aaron Goldberg, and Eric Lewis. Marko’s own band, Sveti, performs the drummer’s compositions inspired by his Balkan roots. Marko has been a featured soloist and clinician at many of the world’s top music events (PASIC, Musikmesse,...1January 24, 2012

    Marko Djordjevic

    [MDEdTop]Marko Djordjevic has played on over forty albums and has performed with artists such as 
Wayne Krantz, Bill Frisell, Aaron Goldberg, and Eric Lewis. Marko’s own band, Sveti, performs the drummer’s compositions inspired by his Balkan roots. Marko has been a featured soloist and clinician at many of the world’s top music events (PASIC, Musikmesse,…

  • [MDEdTop]Online educator and clinician Mike Johnston began playing drums at the age of five, and he studied privately with some of the greatest educators of our time, including Peter Magadini and Steve Ferrone. At the age of twenty-one, Mike received a major-label record deal with his band Simon Says (Hollywood Records) and spent the next...0January 24, 2012

    Mike Johnston

    [MDEdTop]Online educator and clinician Mike Johnston began playing drums at the age of five, and he studied privately with some of the greatest educators of our time, including Peter Magadini and Steve Ferrone. At the age of twenty-one, Mike received a major-label record deal with his band Simon Says (Hollywood Records) and spent the next…

  • [MDEdTop]Joe Bergamini is currently the senior drum editor for Hudson Music, where he oversees book projects and acts as an associate producer on various DVD productions. He is the co-author of Pedal Control and It’s Your Move with Dom Famularo, and he is the author of Turn It Up & Lay It Down, MD Classic...0January 24, 2012

    Joe Bergamini

    [MDEdTop]Joe Bergamini is currently the senior drum editor for Hudson Music, where he oversees book projects and acts as an associate producer on various DVD productions. He is the co-author of Pedal Control and It’s Your Move with Dom Famularo, and he is the author of Turn It Up & Lay It Down, MD Classic…

  • [MDEdTop]Jeff Salem is an internationally recognized drummer/educator based in Toronto, Canada. He has performed and recorded with the rock bands Fist, Sword, and Saints & Sinners; solo acts Lee Aaron, Randy Bachman, Robben Ford, and 2004 Canadian Idol winner Kalan Porter; and smooth jazz artists Paul Brown, Jessy J, Rob Tardik, Eddie Bullen, Jack Prybylski,...1January 24, 2012

    Jeff Salem

    [MDEdTop]Jeff Salem is an internationally recognized drummer/educator based in Toronto, Canada. He has performed and recorded with the rock bands Fist, Sword, and Saints & Sinners; solo acts Lee Aaron, Randy Bachman, Robben Ford, and 2004 Canadian Idol winner Kalan Porter; and smooth jazz artists Paul Brown, Jessy J, Rob Tardik, Eddie Bullen, Jack Prybylski,…

  • [MDEdTop]David Stanoch has performed with jazz greats Doc Severinsen, Richard Davis, Herb Ellis, Jack McDuff, Stanley Jordan, and Ben Sidran; pop and R&B artists Sheryl Crow, George Clinton, Freedy Johnston, Bonnie Raitt, Butch Vig, New Kids on the Block, and Mary Wilson; the Minnesota Orchestra and Empire Brass; and celebrity performers Regis Philbin, Robert Goulet, Shirley Jones, Martin...1January 24, 2012

    David Stanoch

    [MDEdTop]David Stanoch has performed with jazz greats Doc Severinsen, Richard Davis, Herb Ellis, Jack McDuff, Stanley Jordan, and Ben Sidran; pop and R&B artists Sheryl Crow, George Clinton, Freedy Johnston, Bonnie Raitt, Butch Vig, New Kids on the Block, and Mary Wilson; the Minnesota Orchestra and Empire Brass; and celebrity performers Regis Philbin, Robert Goulet, Shirley Jones, Martin…

  • [MDEdTop]Jason Gianni is a full-time faculty member at Drummers Collective in New York City. He co-authored The Drummer’s Bible with Mick Berry, which is a guide to mastering various drumming styles, and he has recorded television and radio commercials for Toyota, Discover, McDonald’s, Showtime, and the Oakland Athletics. Gianni also played on the soundtrack to the hit show Hannah Montana...0January 24, 2012

    Jason Gianni

    [MDEdTop]Jason Gianni is a full-time faculty member at Drummers Collective in New York City. He co-authored The Drummer’s Bible with Mick Berry, which is a guide to mastering various drumming styles, and he has recorded television and radio commercials for Toyota, Discover, McDonald’s, Showtime, and the Oakland Athletics. Gianni also played on the soundtrack to the hit show Hannah Montana…

  • [MDEdTop]George Marsh is a San Francisco-based jazz drummer/composer currently playing with the David Grisman Sextet. He’s recorded with John Abercrombie, Terry Riley, David Grisman, Jerry Garcia, Pauline Oliveros, Denny Zeitlin, Maria Muldaur, and others. Marsh teaches at the University of California, Santa Cruz and at Sonoma State University. He also maintains a private studio in...3January 24, 2012

    George Marsh

    [MDEdTop]George Marsh is a San Francisco-based jazz drummer/composer currently playing with the David Grisman Sextet. He’s recorded with John Abercrombie, Terry Riley, David Grisman, Jerry Garcia, Pauline Oliveros, Denny Zeitlin, Maria Muldaur, and others. Marsh teaches at the University of California, Santa Cruz and at Sonoma State University. He also maintains a private studio in…

  • [MDEdTop]Florian Alexandru-Zorn’s book The Complete Guide to Playing Brushes, published by Alfred, received a five-star review from Modern Drummer. As a clinician, Florian has presented at various events across Europe and the United States, including a master class at PASIC 2011. The first three installments of his “Brush Workshop” series of articles ran in the...1January 24, 2012

    Florian Alexandru-Zorn

    [MDEdTop]Florian Alexandru-Zorn’s book The Complete Guide to Playing Brushes, published by Alfred, received a five-star review from Modern Drummer. As a clinician, Florian has presented at various events across Europe and the United States, including a master class at PASIC 2011. The first three installments of his “Brush Workshop” series of articles ran in the…

  • [MDEdTop]Jeremy Hummel works regularly with EVE, a guitar/bass/drums trio that plays jazz standards, contemporary jazz, and fusion, and he is musical director for Into the Spin, an eight-piece horn band that specializes in R&B, funk, and soul music. Hummel is a co-founding member of platinum-selling rock band Breaking Benjamin, and he played on the band’s...1January 23, 2012

    Jeremy Hummel

    [MDEdTop]Jeremy Hummel works regularly with EVE, a guitar/bass/drums trio that plays jazz standards, contemporary jazz, and fusion, and he is musical director for Into the Spin, an eight-piece horn band that specializes in R&B, funk, and soul music. Hummel is a co-founding member of platinum-selling rock band Breaking Benjamin, and he played on the band’s…

  • [MDEdTop]Jim is the drummer and bandleader for multi-platinum group Rascal Flatts. His recording credits include Rascal Flatts’ multi-platinum disc Me and My Gang, EA Sports’ Madden NFL 11, Brian McKnight’s Ten, and a track on the soundtrack to Hannah Montana: The Movie. In 2009, Jim was voted “best drum clinician” by the readers of Modern...1January 23, 2012

    Jim Riley

    [MDEdTop]Jim is the drummer and bandleader for multi-platinum group Rascal Flatts. His recording credits include Rascal Flatts’ multi-platinum disc Me and My Gang, EA Sports’ Madden NFL 11, Brian McKnight’s Ten, and a track on the soundtrack to Hannah Montana: The Movie. In 2009, Jim was voted “best drum clinician” by the readers of Modern…

  • [MDEdTop]Mike Sorrentino has performed with Joe Lynn Turner, Zebra, Ritchie Blackmore, Allan Toussaint, Mary Wilson, and James Fox, and in Broadway productions of Movin’ Out, Grease, and In the Heights. Sorrentino also played on the Movin’ Out international tour, and he is a regular substitute for the percussion chair in the Broadway production of Spider-Man....1January 23, 2012

    Mike Sorrentino

    [MDEdTop]Mike Sorrentino has performed with Joe Lynn Turner, Zebra, Ritchie Blackmore, Allan Toussaint, Mary Wilson, and James Fox, and in Broadway productions of Movin’ Out, Grease, and In the Heights. Sorrentino also played on the Movin’ Out international tour, and he is a regular substitute for the percussion chair in the Broadway production of Spider-Man….

  • [MDEdTop]Chuck Silverman is one of the world’s leading exponents of Cuban and Brazilian drumming, and he recently produced an e-Book and video documenting the snare drum techniques of legendary teachers Murray Spivack and Richard Wilson. Silverman also released the instructional DVD The Latin Funk Connection. Chuck teaches privately in his home studio and at Musicians...1January 23, 2012

    Chuck Silverman

    [MDEdTop]Chuck Silverman is one of the world’s leading exponents of Cuban and Brazilian drumming, and he recently produced an e-Book and video documenting the snare drum techniques of legendary teachers Murray Spivack and Richard Wilson. Silverman also released the instructional DVD The Latin Funk Connection. Chuck teaches privately in his home studio and at Musicians…

  • [MDEdTop]Marc Dicciani is the director of the school of music and professor of drumset and music business at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He has made concert appearances with a wide variety of artists and ensembles, including Randy Brecker, Pat Martino, Stanley Clarke, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Natalie Cole, Paul Shaffer, Joan...2January 23, 2012

    Marc Dicciani

    [MDEdTop]Marc Dicciani is the director of the school of music and professor of drumset and music business at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He has made concert appearances with a wide variety of artists and ensembles, including Randy Brecker, Pat Martino, Stanley Clarke, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Natalie Cole, Paul Shaffer, Joan…

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