Private Lessons
Not only am I passionate about playing the drum set, I am passionate about sharing my love for the instrument with others. Teaching isn’t just something I do to pay the bills. It’s one of my favorite pastimes.
Music and drumming have been a main pillar of my life since I was eleven years old. Over the years my love and interest in the instrument and art form have only grown stronger. Having the privilege of igniting that excitement in someone else’s life is truly a rewarding and humbling experience.
I’ve always been passionate about teaching, even when I didn’t realize it. When I was a child, if I learned a new game I wanted to show others how to play. If I learned a magic or juggling trick, I didn’t just want to perform it for my family, I asked if anyone wanted me to show them how to do it.
This innate drive to instruct others was finally put into perspective while I was studying at McNally Smith College of Music. While taking a course on pedagogy (the theory and practice of education) I discovered my love for teaching others.
After graduating, I started teaching private lessons at Forte Music Academy, a lesson studio in Albertville, MN. I spent three years teaching a handful of students of varying age and skill levels. Over this time I developed my personal teaching style and my own curriculum.
Now, I teach lessons from my home studio to a variety of students, ranging in ages from children to adults, with varying competency of music and ability behind the drum set. Some already have a good grasp of the instrument, others come with a small amount of experience with music, and some come through the door with no experience at all. Whatever their case, every one of my students quickly improves, not only in playing the instrument, but understanding the instrument and music as a greater concept.
I know the value a music education can add to a student’s life. Not just the music itself, but valuable life skills like discipline, patience, responsibility, tenacity, and comprehension skills. Along with these life skills, the value of having a mentor that will encourage the student in their growth both as a musician and as a person can be priceless.
I strive to pay forward the musical and personal investment I received from my instructors that proved to be so valuable in my own life.
My Philosophy
As a teacher, I believe it is my responsibility to find the proper balance between teaching the student what they need to learn and what they want to learn. Therefore, improvisation is something I practice both as a performer and as an educator. I engage with my student’s spontaneous thoughts and questions; embarking with them on journeys of interest and inquiry. I then act as a guide to draw them back and apply their new found knowledge to the subject at hand.
The study of music in general, and drumming in particular, has never ceased to fill me with excitement and wonder. As a teacher, I believe it is now my responsibility to instill that same exhilarating experience into the lives of my students. Youtube videos, audio examples, DVDs, and books are all tools I incorporate to help the student become more immersed in the vibrant world of music.
Finally, I believe challenges should not be avoided, but actively searched for and engaged. Challenging ourselves on a daily basis provides us the opportunity to become something more than we were the day before. In this way, the study of music provides a life long opportunity for growth and self-improvement. I’m always careful to challenge my students with material that is just beyond their current sphere of ability. My students are always stretching their abilities and regularly experiencing the feeling of success through the achievement of goals.
Benefits of Music Lessons
It is now widely known that students who receive a music education perform better in their other studies than their non-musically educated peers.
Beyond the improvement of performance in an academic setting, there are many benefits that may be less obvious. Studying an instrument also helps to instill many valuable life skills such as patience, discipline, responsibility, tenacity, and comprehension skills. Not to mention the development of fine motor skills and self-esteem.
Students who learn an instrument can be part of an ensemble, join a band, or perform at church and family events. Performing can be one of the most intimidating events of a students life. But by performing in front of audiences, the student learns to control stage fright, a skill that will help them in their lives no matter what path they follow.
Music education is so much more than learning to play your favorite song; it is a priceless life development tool.
My Studio
Student Reviews
Spencer at Key of Rhythm studios is an immensely talented drummer and even better teacher. I’ve shared the stage with him and my daughter has truly benefited from private lessons with him. Grateful to have someone as reliable, professional and kind in my daughter’s corner.
Spencer works very well with our son on his weekly drum lessons. He gives him tangible homework each week to practice at home and works professionally, patiently with our sons and each child’s personality. He responds quickly to emails and texts. He sends email and text reminds if you choose to have those. He also sends monthly tuition emails. He is definitely a blessing for our son and valuable.
Before I started drum lessons, I knew absolutely nothing about drums. Spencer is an awesome teacher who values his passion. Each lesson is something a little different and a bit challenging, but that gives me a push to practice harder. Spencer is flexible and accommodating to the wants and needs of lessons, but also wants to see you be successful and encourages one to take the next levels of success. I never knew how to read music, and now I can!
I spent months fooling around on Youtube and not getting anywhere. Spencer’s curriculum and structure has allowed me to advance WAY faster than I was as a self-directed student. Additionally, Spencer puts great care and attention into his role as an instructor. Expect a prepared and deliberate teacher. Highly recommended!
Spencer, of Key of Rhythm Studios, did a wonderful job working with our five year old grandson during his three weeks in MN. Spencer was patient, fun loving, but stayed on track and accomplished a lot in a short period of time. We’ll continue next year, if drums are still in our little guy’s agenda.
Spencer operates with the highest level of professionalism from start to finish, whether it be written, oral or in person. He is punctual each week and has never left us waiting or wondering. His communication is impeccable, he is a master at what he does and a natural teacher. He not only challenges my daughter to keep stretching and refining her skills, but inspires her to explore, resulting in her experience with percussion to be unique and custom to her specifically. She has grown exponentially and I have to say I enjoy hearing them converse as much as I enjoy hearing her play! Did I mention that Spencer is a rockin’ drummer?
My son has been taking lessons for over a year from Spencer. He is a wonderful teacher and very encouraging. Spencer has taken the time to talk about things that may seem small like the placement of his seat and holding of his elbows but in the long run these all have helped my son to feel comfortable and be a better drummer.
Great teacher!
Spencer is FANTASTIC. He has done wonders teaching my daughter over the past few years. She is 10 now. Its all smiles every time she goes to/from lessons. I’ve seen her constantly grow her skills, focusing on her rudiments and building on her skills allowing her to constantly be challenged.
I couldn’t recommend Spencer enough! Encouraging and attentive to his students’ lives, he listens to each of their goals, analyzes their skills, and tailors lessons to include both! An amazing instructor, highly recommended for anyone looking to learn to play.
Spencer has been a great instructor for our boys. We appreciate he keeps an eye on fundamentals and uses an encouraging tone.
My son loves his weekly drum lessons with Spencer! I like how Spencer assesses the drum level and gives lessons accordingly. He gives homework and follows up with it in class. He is punctual and uses the lesson time to its fullest. Spencer is a knowledgeable drummer and an excellent teacher.
Spencer Schoeneman is an excellent drum instructor. He focuses on technique and fundamentals of drumming and understands how to teach those fundamentals to improve drumming skills even in experienced drummers. He is incredibly patient and positive. I’ve been learning and improving a lot even though I’ve been playing drums for over 15 years.
Spencer brings well thought out, individually catered lessons to his students. I love how he has the interests and passions of the student in mind while still working in his expert opinion on what can help the student progress. I have been taking lessons with Spencer for a year and I can see an incredible amount of growth in my playing.
I’m an adult beginner student so if you’re like me you have a ton of resources online and no idea where to start. Spencer has his own teaching material that tackles different aspects of drumming. It is more interesting than the standard drumming material recommended by everyone and quickly gets to a challenging level.
Once you’re at the lesson, he observes you keenly from all sides and quickly points out inefficiencies/awkwardness in your technique. I also like his attention to detail – I requested help with learning the drum part for a song. Although it was new music to him in an unfamiliar language he prepared sheet music for the whole song by the next lesson. Of course, it will be a while before I have the ability to actually play what he wrote but I appreciated it nevertheless. 🙂 Thanks for reading and highly recommend him as a teacher!
Spencer is a wonderful teacher who is patient, kind, knowledgeable, and flexible with our schedule. Our son looks forward to his weekly lessons and we love to see his love of music grow.
He had great patience with my 6 year old. He is skilled at teaching the little ones.
From previously being in band in high school, I had some experience playing percussion. I also gained interest in playing a drum set. Which I have been learning for the past few months. Taking lessons with Spencer has been a great learning experience each session. Really helpful with being informative and understandable when explaining or showing how to play said music.
Mr. Schoeneman is a quality drum instructor who has taken my 12 year old’s interest in drums and turned it into a love. My son has come a long way in a short amount of time, and is learning drum foundations and skills of true musicianship. Highly recommend his studio!
Very organized and experienced, seems really good.
Spencer has been a great instructor! Starting up from the basics, his focus on technique, syncopation and reading have made me rediscover the drums in a whole new way! He is very responsive, patient, and encouraging, tailoring the session and “home-work” to the student’s needs and giving appropriate feedback. Glad to have found him, and look forward to continue learning loads!
Teaching our 9 year old son for 2+ years now and he really enjoys it!
Spencer is a dedicated, thoughtful, and effective music instructor. He has insight and an easy-going rapport with his students which gets results. Beyond that he is well-organized, punctual, and generous with his time. I highly recommend him.
He really does an amazing job with our son.
Five Stars.