DAVID MENDOZA

My music training began at the age of 8 with piano lessons.  It was my mom's idea. But I didn't care to play those "pretty pieces" as they called it.  I would rather go run outside and play football.  But those lessons introduced me to the basic concepts of music and rhythm...reading and understanding the notes on paper.  A few years later I was allowed to take  drum lessons at San Antonio Music...MY idea!

Watching the older guys hit the drums and seeing bands like the Beatles and Elvis play on TV looked like way too much fun!  So I decided  I wanted to play the music the kids were hearing and dancing to on the radio.  Other instruments like piano and guitar are played primarily with one's fingers, but I could get my whole body into this thing they called the drum set.  The day I got my first drum set, the neighbor kids all came over to my house with their guitars (and amplifiers).  We struggled, we learned from each other...and we had fun! We formed rock bands with other teen musicians and played at dances and parties in high school.  My high school had a music dept. so what the heck, I applied and they let me join the orchestra.  I played the tympani, snare drum, and the other percussion instruments.  After high school I went to San Antonio College  for an Associates degree in Electronics, minored in music, and played in the our college Jazz Band. 

In college I looked to band jobs for spending money and to help pay expenses.  They needed a drum instructor at a local music store and since I was a music student and could read music...I got hired.  I continued to find work with semi-pro bands in the hotels and nightclubs of San Antonio. 

When Las Vegas show group Coco Grove came to town looking for an "all purpose"  drummer...I auditioned.  The show called for exotic rhythms from Hawaii, Samoa, Jamaica, Tahiti, plus a variety of cover music was needed. Suddenly all the lessons, struggling, and practicing was worth it! I was young, 21,...and yeah, getting paid to play music and shows full time across the country was way too much fun!

We need to prove it to San Antonio before we take it nationwide

When the Coco Grove tour ended, I returned to Texas to work with  Elvis impersonator John Hawk in his popular 50's & 60's review.  While playing the country club circuit I worked for national recording artists The Diamonds ("Oh Little Darling",  and "The Stroll").

 The Diamonds

Eventually Austin developed into a major music & technology center; and seemed like a good place to settle down.  I found work in the computer industry, bought a home,  and continued to play in Austin.  When a musician friend could not find the right drum teacher for her pre-teen, she came to me.  Then more kids found out about the drum lessons and wanted to try.  Soon I began to realize how important music and music education is to this town.  It inspired me to create the perfect music classroom for Drumset education in Texas...the Oak Hill Drum Studio!