Learn from Great Xylophone Teachers

Hi, I’m Derrick Raiter, a professional percussionist with over 30 years of experience. I help drummers and percussionists of all levels build strong technique, confidence, groove, and musical expression through personalized, engaging lessons. My teaching is shaped by a national performance career and seven years of private study with renowned drummer Anika Nilles.

I approach music with a holistic mindset: with work ethic and discipline, yet also empathy and passion from the student's perspective. I see music as a tool to enhance the expression that already exists within the individual, while pinpointing necessary skills that still need to be developed.

"T.R. is fantastic! A true gem for our area." ~Steve Gustafson (10,000 Maniacs) "T.R. McKotch is a rare kind of musician who can both play and teach very well. His ability to connect to beginner drummers, both by teaching and empowering them are traits that will help his students long after they leave his experiences. T.R.

Overall Teacher of the Year on Lessonface! Alison holds a Masters in Music Ed. Fun, experienced & patient teacher. Alison has taught over 20,000 lessons in various instruments and voice to over 550 students in private lessons and small groups, in person and online. Her students range from age 3 through adults. Alison is the co-owner of Strand Studios in NJ.

Hello! I'm Kevin and it's nice to meet you. Before I dive into myself, my one goal in teaching is to give you a happy and healthy relationship with music. That's it! If you walk away from our lessons, be it one or for years, I want you to always have a relationship with music that makes you smile. When you go see a movie, you appreciate the score.

I've been playing percussion for over 20 years. I am a tenured percussionist with the Houston Ballet Orchestra and perform regularly with the Houston Symphony Orchestra, San Antonio Symphony, and Ft. Worth Symphony. I hold two music performance degrees from Baylor and Rice University.

Hi, I'm Kevin, a passionate drummer with a Master's in Jazz Studies and years of professional experience. As a dedicated percussionist, I bring a dynamic approach to drumming, blending jazz, rock, and fusion styles to create a unique learning experience.

Jack Schabert is a Twin Cities based drummer, composer, and educator. He performs professionally around the metro area with various jazz groups, and is an Instructor of Percussion, Piano, Drum Set, and Jazz Studies at Opus Music Academy. Jack is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Music Education at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota.

I'm a professional drummer, percussionist, educator, composer, and multimedia artist. I most recently was the drummer for Blue Man Group in Shanghai. I also was a principal performer in the cast of the NYC Broadway show STOMP. As a freelance drummer, I've also toured with various recording artists and production outfits such as; Miki Howard, Street Drum Corps, and Royal Caribbean…

Recognized as one of the most outstanding percussionists of her generation, Michelle has collaborated regularly with the Orchestra of the Teatro de Bellas Artes since 2017, performing in numerous opera and ballet productions under the baton of some of the most renowned conductors in the field.