Drums & Percussion Lessons in Rotterdam – Master’s-Degree Professional Drummer, All levels welcome | From Rock & Pop to Jazz and World Music

From 50.91 £ /h

Hi! I’m Diego Hernández, a Costa Rican drummer and percussionist based in Rotterdam, with a Master’s degree from Codarts and over 10 years of teaching experience. I help students of all ages and levels play with confidence, groove, and musical understanding, from rock and pop to jazz and world music.

My lessons are personalized, structured, and music-driven. I adapt my teaching to each student’s goals and learning style, combining solid technique, rhythm training, coordination, and real musical application. Whether you want to enjoy playing your favorite music, improve your groove, or follow a more serious academic path, I guide you step by step with clarity and motivation.

I hold a Bachelor's degree in Percussion Teaching and Performance (Summa Cum Laude) and a Master’s degree in World Music Percussion. Alongside teaching, I am an active performer and have played at venues such as the North Sea Jazz Festival, Carnegie Hall, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, and the Monterey Jazz Festival. This real-world experience allows me to connect technique with musical reality in every lesson.

If you’re looking for a teacher who is versatile, experienced, supportive, and truly invested in your progress, I’d be happy to work with you and help you develop your own musical voice.

Location

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At teacher's location :

Gouwstraat, Rotterdam, Nederland

About Me

Diego Hdz is a skilled musician and educator, known for his versatility in percussion instrumentation, musical genres, and academic pursuits.

His broad expertise enables him to express creativity through drums and inspire others to discover their own musical voice

Education

MASTER'S DEGREE IN WORLD MUSIC WITH A MAJOR IN LATIN PERCUSSION
Codarts Rotterdam - University of the Arts | Sep 2022–2024

BACHELOR'S DEGREE (Licenciature) IN MUSIC WITH A MAJOR IN PERCUSSION TEACHING AND PERFORMANCE SUMMA CUM LAUDE
Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica | 2020-2021

BACHELOR OF MUSIC WITH A MAJOR IN PERCUSSION TEACHING AND PERFORMANCE
Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica | 2016-2019

CONCLUSION OF THE MUSIC STUDY PROGRAM WITH AN EMPHASIS ON DRUMS AND LATIN PERCUSSION
Conservatorio Municipal de Alajuela | 2011-2015

Experience / Qualifications

PERCUSSION TEACHER:

- School of Music Rotterdam | Oct 2022 - Present
- GSD International School Costa Rica | Apr 2021 - Aug 2022
- Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica | Mar 2020 - Aug 2022
- Municipality of Alajuela's Marching Band | Jul 2018 - Mar 2019
- Conservatorio Municipal de Alajuela | Oct 2015 - Aug 2022
- Latin Marching Band of Carrizal | Feb 2014 - Apr 2016

FESTIVALS:

-North Sea Jazz.Rotterdam Netherlands - Rafael Jama | 2025
-North Sea Jazz. Rotterdam Netherlands - Azumbara / Sirocco / Julian Muro band | 2024
-North Sea Jazz. Rotterdam Netherlands - LA Roffa Project | 2023
-Jazz Fest Costa Rica 2022 - CCCN Jazz Orchestra Ft. Ed Calle | 2022
-Monterey Jazz Festival, California USA - CCCN Jazz Orchestra | 2019
-Festidanza Argentina - Compañía de Expresiones Culturales Costaricenses | 2019
-Festival Internacional de Jazz Costa Rica - Jazz UNA | 2018
-Festival Internacional Expresiones Panamá - CECUC | 2017

AWARDS:

FIRST PLACE - CCCN JAZZ ORCHESTRA
Next Generation Jazz Festival | Monterrey, California USA
Contest Category: College Big Band Division | Abr 2019

FIRST PLACE - ENSAMBLE DE PERCUSIÓN UNA
Plasmando Huellas | Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica
Contest category: Music ensembles | Nov 2017

FIRST PLACE - SOLO MUSICIAN
Américan Protégé International Music Talent Competition | Carnegie Hall.New York USA.
Contest category: Soloist | Nov 2015

Age

Children (7-12 years old)

Teenagers (13-17 years old)

Adults (18-64 years old)

Seniors (65+ years old)

Student level

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Duration

60 minutes

The class is taught in

English

Spanish

Dutch

Skills

Drums

Jazz

Blues

Band practice

Improvisation

Rock

Pop

Latin-world music

Sticking pattern

Percussion

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -05:00)

New York

At teacher's location

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

00-04

04-08

08-12

12-16

16-20

20-24

Federica

5.0

(1)

Hi guys! Did you always want to play drums and get to know more about music? Now it is your chance!
My name is Federica and I'm an Italian drummer. I speak Italian, English, and Spanish. I graduated in Codarts, Hogeschool voor de Kunsten en Muziek in Master of Music. I am currently attending the PhD in the University of Evora (Pt) in Music and Musicology, specialization in Performance.
I have experience in teaching and I play in several bands. During the lessons, we can be focusing on more subjects and we'll learn several styles such as Jazz Latin, pop, blues, rock, and funk, adapting to your need.
The attention will be given even to the study of a snare drum, with technical and rhythmical exercises. everything steps by step.
Don't hesitate to contact me if you're interested!

Martin

5.0

(1)

Is learning to play the drums your dream? Are you looking for a drum teacher in Rotterdam for your child or for yourself? Did you play the drums in the past and do you want to pick it up again or are you going to sit behind a drum kit for the first time?

Drumming is my great passion. I am crazy about many types of music and teach you all styles such as Pop - Jazz - Rock - Samba and much more! Tips and Tricks from practice! All facets of percussion and drumming can be offered. Technique, timing, creativity, time keeping, flexibility, coordination, relaxed posture, theory, reading drum notation, new fills, grooves and solos!

If you have a drum set I can also come to your home. No drum set yet? I will help you find one!

Eren

5.0

(1)

Hello everyone! This is Eren. I am 25 years old. I am a Turkish drummer/producer, graduated from the Utrecht Conservatorium Jazz&Pop Drums department. I am actively playing in 3 bands, and have good experience for my age. I really would like to share my knowledge and experience with you! I will use the stuff that my teachers gave me in the conservatory, and my own techniques in the lessons. Any level is welcome! I can also help with music theory, ear training, solfege and music production in Ableton(basics of ableton, MIDI, audio recordings, mixing&mastering). We will play, learn, talk, have fun, even sometimes get bored but at the end I will make you a good drummer!

David

5.0

(1)

Do you want to learn some cuban grooves? or maybe latin jazz?

Apart from teaching the most amazing latin rhythms, In my lessons I apply the stick control book, to achieve a good technique, and at the same time I teach coordination and grooves, with the best methods and books from the most qualified drummers.

I'm a professional drummer from Spain, but living in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. I have studied Latin drums at Codarts, university of the arts, in Rotterdam, so I've acquired a lot of knowledge and skills on Cuban and Brazilian music, jazz, funk and Pop.

I've performed in places such as:
North Sea Jazz Festival, Het Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Tivoli (Utrecht), Jazzcafe Dizzy, etc...

Lucas

5.0

(1)

We will see from the musical point of view how to play and study the drums. Something that I think it's so personal and for this I think that it will let you play this instrument with your own sound.

We will develop the technique (hands, feet), coordination, independence, styles, etc. Those skills will provide you the tools for you to have more resources in the hour to play with other people.

We will focus on your interest, complementing this with the tools that I think are important to play the drum and finding your own voice.

Branko

5.0

(1)

Do you want to play in a band, play for fun at home with friends, or become a proffecional drummer?
Come for a lesson in my studio and see what you'd like to learn. If you like a certain style, we will focus on it and develop your playing towards your taste. I've been playing, teaching and studying drums for over 15 years now. I take it very seriously and try to tailor my teaching to every student that I have. I can use my experience as a proffecional musician to make you progress fast and focus on things not every teacher knows from books. In this course we will focus on technique as well as creativity and improvisation (one of the most enjoyable aspects of playing drums).
Do you have any other percussion instrument you'd like to expand your knowledge on? I can offer you percussion lessons as well since I have a lot of experience in playing percussion as well.
If you want to study with me I can provide a stable program for development for fast results including scores, exercises, etc.
About me:
As well as teaching, I'm mainly a performer of music - I've been playing drums with different bands as well as classical percussion for more than 15 years now in many different settings. In the last years of my development I've taken a closer look to jazz, pop, hip hop and rock music. I can use my experience to find good qualities in my students and develop them as much as possible.
I hope you consider me to be your teacher :)

Rafael

5.0

(1)

My class is about Percussion. Are you someone that would like to learn more about the vast world of Percussion?
I studied classical, Latin, Brazilian percussion and Vibraphone and I am currently working professionally as a percussion player.

I am from Portugal but my studies were done in Rotterdam at Codarts.
My main topics for our lessons are:
-Pandeiro (Brazilian percussion);
-Mallet technique for Marimba and Vibraphone;
-Stick control and Rudiments;
-Snare Drum studies;
-Orchestral Percussion;
-Improvisation on Vibraphone.

Always flexible to design a lesson according to the students interests and needs.
ALSO AVAILABLE TO TEACH ONLINE

Yours truly,
Rafael

Giovanni

5.0

(1)

Hello everybody! Welcome to my profile!

Have you always wanted to know more about rhythm, percussion and drums? Then you are in the right place! :)

My name is Giovanni, I'm an italian percussionist currently living in The Netherlands and studying at Codarts music school in Rotterdam.

Latin music is the field I explored and studied the most, especially music coming from Cuba and Brazil: two different and at the same time similar worlds that boast an incredible and extremely interesting music culture.
Talking about Cuban music, my main instruments are congas, bongos and timbales, together with all small percussion (guiro, maracas, clave, shekere). I will guide you through the different music styles that developed in this wonderful island during the past 200 years, such as salsa, son, rumba, cha-cha-cha, mambo, songo among many others.
About the Brazilian side, I can teach you how to learn to play the pandeiro, in all its different styles and rhythms, together with the timbau, the repique, the dobras, the surdo and many other instruments that belong to this amazing tradition.

In my musical career, I also got to play and studied other types of percussion that belong to other traditions. To name one, the cajon, originally coming from Perù and later incorporated in spanish flamenco, is another fascinating instrument, and incredibly versatile when it comes to play many styles of music, especially western pop and funk music: it can really function as a substitute for the drums!

Talking about drums, I will be happy to guide you through the study of this marvelous instrument as well, starting from the basic techniques until the study of all the rhythmic possibilities that this instrument gives.

If you're interested, don't esitate to contact me!

(more info below :) )

Enrico

5.0

(1)

Are you a beginner?
I'll be glad to help you discovering this beautiful instrument!
I'll show you the necessary steps you need to follow in order to play that crazy rhythm you have in mind and, please don't forget: "HAVE FUN" is mandatory! You'll learn how to move your limbs to play a nice drum groove, you'll discover the rudiments on the snare-drum which later you will start apply to the drumset. You will learn to recognize which instruments in the drumset makes you fall in love for the drum beat of your favorite tune. Also you will learn how to read rhythm and a drum score! Very soon you'll be playing along your favorite song!Let's get it started!!!

Have you played for a while and you would like to improve your skills and to learn new rhythms?
Good!I'll do my best to help you improving your actual skills. Together, we'll look at the diverse hand and foot techniques exist as tools to improve our own sound on the drumset. Remember that it's not about speed, but awareness of our gestures and how these can influence the sound we won't project through this marvellous instrument. Have you ever heard of "Finger Control", Moeller Technique", "Push and Pulll", "Heel-Toe Technique"?
Probably your tired of the usual 4/4 rock drum beat and you would like to learn more spicy drum grooves...well I can show you very nice drum beat influenced by latin music. You could find very fun and interesting excercies for improving your coordination while learing intriguing drum beats!But also...you are a fan of progressive music but you're having troubles playing that weird odd-meter...I'll show you how simple and easy can be to play that 5/8!

Do you have a solid rhythmic fundation and you want to get in touch with Jazz or Latin music?
Learning a language, especially if you are not a mother-tongue, is very hard. Generally I believe that to learn how to express yourself through your instrument is a life-long learning process. For this reason don't worry and keep having fun every day!I've left the harbour for this journey some years ago and I still see the line of the horizon very far...Why don't you get on my boat?
I can show you the first steps you need to take for applying your technical skills and coordination in these styles. We can listening to recordings and to check how the drummer accompanies his band mates, how he expresses his solo ideas. We can transcribe comping ideas, solo ideas, and of course I'll show the approach I use to learn and to digest this information to make it mine. I'm really looking forward to your questions and to discover new recordings with you!

Romain

5.0

(1)

🥁 Discover the Joy of Playing Drums and Percussion! 🥁
Have you always wanted to learn the drums or explore percussion? I offer lessons tailored to your level and interests, helping you progress while having fun. 🎶

🎵 What I Offer:

Personalized Lessons: Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, I adapt my lessons to meet your needs.
Varied Techniques: Learn different styles (rock, jazz, funk, etc.) and discover percussion instruments like bongos, congas, or the cajón.
Progress at Your Own Pace: Simple and effective methods to help you advance at your own pace, without pressure.
Friendly Atmosphere: Lessons at home or online, in a relaxed and encouraging environment.
🎯 Goal: Enjoy playing while improving your technique and sense of rhythm.

Write me to learn more or to book a slot. I'd be happy to guide you on this musical journey!

Carmen

5.0

(1)

Hello!

Are you ready to delve into the world music knowledge? Here is your place! I offer you music lessons where you will get to know percussion instruments, but also the traditional music, the historical background and much more! Always with passion and dedication because of the love I have for teaching and music!

I'm specializing in latin, brazilian and flamenco. So, I can teach you a wide variety of instruments and tradition. In the latin/cuban music you can learn congas, timbales and bongó, but also: güiro and shekeré. With brazilian music I can teach you pandeiro, rebolo/tan tan, surdo, cuica, reco reco, tamborim, zabumba and batucada instruments like timbao or dobra. And for flamenco tradition you can learn cajón, but also if you are interested the different partterns of the palmas.

All my lessons are prepared for the student, so depending on you, we'll set up the lessons. But here you have the specific points I find more important:

- Technical basis: the technique is essencial to be a good percussionist.
- Music theory: it can help you to read the scores or to understand the music.
- Different rhythms, patterns and styles: latin, brazilian and flamenco are a huge diverse world of music that we will discover in our lessons.
- Music accompaniment: we'll learn the role of percussion as the base of a band.
- Improvisation: a percussion player can also shine, so I'll teach you the language to talk with the drums.

For the lessons I can provide you the instruments! Also, lessons can be individual, duos or groups. You only need to bring your desire to learn!

I have experience as a teacher with individual lessons and group lessons with workshops. This taugh me that the passion I have for music and teaching and the emotion of the students was the perfect combination to have fun while learning.

Don't hesitate to contact me! And let's start with some music!

ABOUT ME
My name is Carmen and I come from Spain. Since I was little I started stuying music and percussion in the band of my little town. I wanted to keep growing in music, so I decided to go to the conservatory where I learned classical and contemporary music. Because of different teachers I got to know latin, brazilian and african music and I kept learning until I decided to move to Rotterdam to focus on latin music at Codarts.

João

5.0

(1)

Ever curious to learn more about rhythm and atypical instruments? Explore percussion with practical classes focused on marimba, rhythm, and percussion basics. I offer straightforward instruction for all levels, helping you build your skills at your own pace. Whether you're just starting or looking to improve, the sessions provide the tools you need to understand rhythm and play with confidence. I have experience with classical music, jazz, Latin, and Afro-percussion, as well as theatrical percussion. However, in my classes, it's all about you and your goals, in whatever shape they might take! Come to learn and grow as a percussionist in a relaxed, supportive environment.

Zilan

5.0

(1)

Hello! If you are looking for a patient, experienced, and passionate teacher, I am here to help you achieve your musical goals and discover the beautiful music of the Middle East.

I give percussion lessons on instruments such as daf, frame drum, darbuka, tonbak, and many more.
I also give singing lessons specialised on Kurdish and Turkish traditions.

In my lessons, I focus on posture, technique, music theory, and repertoire. But my most important task as a teacher is to motivate my students and help them on their musical journey.

I've been teaching music for 10 years and I'm based in Rotterdam. I have a Bachelor's degree in percussion and singing from the Conservatory of Ege University of Izmir and a Master's degree from the Codarts Conservatory of Rotterdam.

Whether you're a beginner or an advanced musician, I can customise my lessons to suit your unique needs and interests. My blend of skills, experience, and passion for teaching ensures that each lesson is both engaging and effective.

Diego

5.0

(1)

The percussion instruments are the foundation of the rhythm, an ancestral beat. Do you want to learn how to play Latin - America percussions or improve your skills on drums? In our one-to-one lessons I will give you suggestions and practical methodology to enrich your language on percussion and drums in the field of popular music of the Latin world.
Field of specalization: pandeiro, congas, batucada instruments, drums.
Also teaching: music theory, rhythmic, harmony, arranging skills.

Tiago

5.0

(1)

In class we will work mostly around what the student is looking for, weather that’s just being able to jam along to their favorite tunes or to get good enough to make a living out of drumming. We can work on a variety of different genres from jazz to pop to latin, which ever the student is keen on learning about. I will always look to keep the lessons balanced between music and methodical exercises. Main goal is for everyone to have a good time and leave the classes with a smile on their face :)