Drum Lessons

Dave Hamar

Dave Hamar is a professional drummer with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida in Music Studies with an emphasis on Jazz Percussion and Music Theory. Upon obtaining his Associates' Degree with Honors for Percussion Performance at Hillsborough Community College, Dave was also awarded "Performer of the Semester" two times in a row. During his time at USF, from which he graduated Magna Cum Laude, he had the great opportunity to study with world-renowned jazz musician, drummer, and instructor Steve Davis.

Dave has performed in many different acts including a band that opened for Quiet Riot and The Voices of Classic Rock (which contained the lead singers from Survivor, Loverboy, Orleans, Starship, and Toto) in South Korea. He has experience playing many genres of music from a church band for seven years, to a steady blues gig with member of the original Coasters, and guitarist Dr. Gary Brown. He has even performed at Busch Gardens in a group called the Percustodians where his group used trashcans, buckets, pots and pans, and other ordinary items to create music. Dave currently plays in two jazz trios, and also a rock band called Lush Progress who has shared the stage with many national acts including Fujiya and Miyagi, The Helio Sequence and Matisyahu. The band Underoath even used one of their songs in a promotional video.

Utilizing all of his musical and academic experience, Dave creates a fun yet challenging and disciplined environment for students of all levels and ages to grow. Students are then equipped with the tools necessary to succeed in either making drumming an enjoyable hobby or an exciting career.

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steven lewis

Steven teaches a variety of percussion styles including, but not limited to rock, country, jazz, and latin.  He is currently working on incorporating an Indian influence into jazz and world drumset playing.  His approach to teaching has been inspired by a variety of musicians such as Bill Stewart, Ari Hoenig, Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette, Steve Davis, Brian Blade, and Dan Weiss.  He is currently studying at the University of South Florida, pursuing a B.A. in Jazz Studies.  Steven has studied with John Riley, Danny Gottlieb, and Steve Davis, some of the most respected names in the drumming industry.  He has been playing professionally for six years at various venues throughout the Tampa Bay area with some of the biggest and most prolific names in jazz, such as Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Branford Marsalis, and Joey Calderrazzo.  One of his goals in teaching is to help students create and develop their own unique voice, because he believes the best musicians in the world possess a unique voice on their instrument that only they can evoke.

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