Vaughn B

Let me tell you a little story. Born in New Orleans, I was exposed to great Blues and Jazz music. I lived there for four years with many visits to the Big Easy after that. In 1990 I moved to Portland, OR where my drumming journey took flight. Starting out on hand drums, I started the exploration of rhythms and techniques. That drum hardly left my side! It came with me to drumming circles, campfires, on boats… And it still does to this day. By age ten my interest shifted to the drum kit, where it has remained since. I was living in Vancouver, WA by then to attend the Washington State School for the Blind. During my tenure there I studied with a symphonic percussionist. For eight years I studied music Braille and theory; vibraphone, drum kit and various other percussion instruments. Along the way I took lessons with Gary Hobbs of Portland, a Jazz drummer as well as Herman LeBeaux of New Orleans, another Jazz drummer. After graduating from high school, I pursued teaching private students. During this time I discovered the joys of teaching and watching students grow. The students I taught ranged from 10 to 45 years old. From them I learned various teaching methods; it was just as much a journey for them as it was for me. After four years of attending a community college I decided to get a degree in music. That is how I ended up at Berklee College of Music in Boston. There I further my education in music theory; teaching; performance; history. 3 years later with the fire of musical passion still going I returned to the joys of teaching students.