Drum Instructor - Mike Curotto

Contact Information

Drum Studio: 650-595-2022

Residence: 650-595-3564

Email: mike@curottodrums.com

Website: www.curottodrums.com

Mike is the author of The Curotto Collection, Vintage Snare Drums from the 1900s to the 1940s (Hal Leonard Corp.) 

Instruction

Mike teaches ALL LEVELS OF PROFICIENCY from beginning to professional and specializes in all styles of drum set performance such as Rock, Jazz, Latin, Fusion and Funk.

The GMTI drum studio is spacious and fully equipped with Drum Workshop and Yamaha Recording Custom drum sets, percussion equipment, midi, recording and video facilities.

Teaching Schedule

Monday-Friday: Noon to 8:00 p.m.

Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Lesson Rate

$90 per hour private lesson - four (4) lessons to be paid in advance prior to scheduling of the first lesson.

Teaching Experience - 1963 to Present

Mike has been teaching privately since 1963 and currently is the head drum instructor at The Gelb Music Teaching Institute (GMTI), Redwood City, CA. He currently carries a teaching load of 58 students.

Education

B.A. Music (Percussion), Cal-State University, San Jose (1973)

A.A. Music, College of San Mateo

Started Drum Lessons (Nov. 1959)

Drum Lessons in Redwood City, California.

Zildjian

Playing Experience

Mike has played drum set since November of 1959. He has played in various Rock, Jazz, Funk, Fusion, Latin, Top 40 and Casual Bands in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is currently playing with the Karen Drucker Band, the Rich Martini Orchestra and freelancing.

Performed With

Cornelius Bumpus (Doobie Brothers,Cornelius Bumpus Quartet), Jaco Pastorius (Weather Report, Word of Mouth Band), Michael Howell (Dizzy Gillespie), Bruce Forman (Richie Cole), Russel Ferrante (Yellow Jackets), Frank Martin (Narada Michael Walden), Don Hass (Benny Goodman), Richard Girard (Cleo Laine, and Narell), Mark Little, Bob Mocarsky, Jeff Carney (Bobby McFerrin), Charles McCarthy (Canoneo), Frank Pasentino, Al Plank, Manny Duran, Jeff Neighbor, Hans Halt, Rob Fischer (Cal Tjader), Carlos Gomez (Tropical Nights, Confunction), Paul Breslin, Tom Fogerty, Chalo Eduardo (Sergio Mendes, Vive Kelly, Brasilian Beat), Bobbie Norris, Larry Dunlop, Ed Cagnacci, Mark Russo (Yellow Jackets), Julie Kelly, Marilyn Scott, Dr. Margie Baker, Marc VanWageningen (Cornelius Bumpus, Pete Escovedo), Mel Ellison, Jim Nichols, John Nichols, George Muribus, Flip Nunez, Smith Dobson, Gayle Dobson, Armando Peraza, Nika, Clairdee and Karen Drucker.

Recording Experience

Mike has recorded on numerous demo tapes, jingles, albums, and 45's in the San Francisco Bay Area & Los Angeles.