DAVID MENDOZA, DIRECTOR

In 2005 Texas based drummer and aspiring drum instructor, David Mendoza, founded a private music classroom in Austin designed entirely for Drumset and Percussion education...the Oak Hill Drum Studio!  Utilizing his technology expertise, Mendoza created one the most state of the art music classrooms in Texas.  The studio is equipped with pro-quality Drumsets, Internet/WiFi access, computer driven audio/video recording capabilities, wide screen video monitors, and a fun and professional environment.  Mr. Mendoza serves as our Director and Senior Instructor.

Mr. Mendoza was first introduced to music with piano lessons at the age of eight.  At age twelve he migrated to drums, taking more private lessons at San Antonio Music.  He continued his music training with high school orchestra at San Antonio Jefferson HS and Jazz band at San Antonio College.  He applied his music training by working his way through school with many of the semi-pro bands in the Central South Texas area.  In 1975 he signed on with Las Vegas show group "Coco Grove"  for an extensive five year tour of the nation's finest resorts and hotels while focusing on a career as a professional drummer.  In the mid eighties David returned to Texas to work with fabulous 50's recording artists "The Diamonds",  famous for hit records such as "Oh Little Darling" and "The Stroll".

Mr. Mendoza is a graduate of San Antonio College where he earned a degree in Applied Science Technology.  His technology background brought him to Austin in the early nineties to work as Technical Support Engineer for Compaq Computer and later QA Engineer at Hewlett-Packard, all while continuing to play professionally with several Austin acts.  Mr. Mendoza's teaching qualifications include duties as Percussion Instructor, Dacbert Music Co. (San Antonio), Drumset Instructor, Institute of the Arts (Austin), Senior Instructor, Oak Hill Drum Studio (Austin), and over 44 years of Drumset performance.   He is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Percussive Arts Society, and holds an educational endorsement with Vic Firth Drumsticks. 

Now an independent music educator and music studio owner, Mr. Mendoza focuses on full time teaching.  Lessons with Mr. Mendoza blend formal "old school" drum instruction with "new school" music technology, concepts, fun, and today's most foremost and innovative educational materials.  Mr. Mendoza teaches drum music notation as well as playing by ear with music his student's want to play. Take a free introductory lesson and see why The Oak Hill Drum Studio is the leader in educating and motivating Austin's next generation of drummers! 

JACOB HUME, SCHOOL BAND PERCUSSION & DRUMSET SPECIALIST

Jacob Hume performs as a drum line captain on the award winning James Bowie High School Outdoor Performing Ensemble.  Jacob skipped middle school band and began his music career taking lessons at the Oak Hill Drum Studio, studying snare drum and Drumset at the Oak Hill Drum Studio.  He is one of our original students.  As an entering freshman, a nervous yet confidant Jacob walked into the band hall at Bowie, auditioned for the band directors, and was offered a position in the percussion section!

Jacob makes the most of Bowie's music offerings by playing in both the Concert Band and the Performing Ensemble (Marching Band).   At Bowie, Jacob performs at countless athletic events, concerts, and band competitions around the nation.  The Bowie Outdoor Performing Ensemble consistently ranks as one of the top 12 marching bands in the country including placing in "The Bands of America" regional and super regional competitions. In 2009 his ensemble won 10th place overall in "Bands of America" Grand National competition in Indianapolis, IN.  In 2010 they won 1st place in 5A Area UIL competitions.  In 2011, the Performing Ensemble won the "Bands of America's" Regional Championship in Dallas and was headline news on the front page of our local community newspaper, The Oak Hill Gazette.  Two weeks later, Bowie won 1st place while performing in a rainstorm at the Westlake Marching Band Festival.

Jacob has earned a total of 4 superior ratings in Region 18 UIL Percussion Ensemble and Solo competitions, the highest ranking one can achieve.  Perhaps Jacob's most memorable performance was at New York City's annual Macy's Day Parade in 2008.   He plays all percussion instruments including Drumset.   In 2011, Jacob earned honors as an Eagle Scout.

Jacob spearheads our studio's series of school band percussion workshops and lessons where he introduces his students to percussion instruments including snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, tenor drums, and mallet instrumentation such as marimba and tympani.  His school band percussion workshops introduce proper fundamental techniques and concepts to lead an entering middle or high school student to a successful school band tryout.   Jacob  will graduate Bowie HS in 2012 and is available for in home lessons in the greater Austin area including Dripping Springs and Lake Travis.

ALYSSA WILLIS, PRE-SCHOOL/ELEMENTARY EDUCATION SPECIALIST DRUMSET & PIANO

Alyssa Willis is a special education major at Texas State University where she is studying for a career as a teacher and music therapist.  Miss Willis began her music training with private lessons on piano and later added classical violin to her repertoire by studying with the Westlake High School music program.  She was named Concert Master of the Westlake Philharmonic Orchestra in her junior year.  Miss Willis has studied Drumset at the Oak Hill Drum Studio since 2005 and to this day continues her studies at our studio. She one of our original students.   

Miss Willis applies her studies of special education at Texas State by directing our "Rocking Toddlers" program, where she specializes in introducing the drums and music theory to pre-school and elementary aged children.   In addition, Alyssa is very effective teaching young girls and women the drums and piano.  

Miss Willis will graduate Texas State University in 2013.  She accepts young music students starting at four years old.  Alyssa teaches all day Fridays and Saturdays at our studio.  She is also available for in home drum and piano lessons in South Austin, Circle C, Kyle, Buda, and San Marcos.

EOGHAN (OWEN) McCLOSKEY,  ROCK & JAZZ BAND DRUMSET SPECIALIST

Eoghan McCloskey is a 16 year veteran of the Drumset.  He is a graduate of Texas State University where he earned a BA in English and Political Science.  McCloskey turned pro after studying with respected drummer recording artists Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson, Mr. Mister, The Rembrandts), two time Grammy nominee Matt Thompson ( King Diamond), Jazz lessons with North TX State Jazz Music Graduates Ed Jarusinsky, Greg Seale (RadioStar), and private study with Mike Konning (MA in Jazz performance, Univ of Texas).  Mr. McCloskey has over 20 studio recordings credits as a drummer and/or producer.   He has toured internationally and frequently travels around the state as drummer for the Victoria Pennock Band, Vex, Batcastle and Dragonwrench.

Mr. McCloskey now focuses full time on Drumset education while working as a professional drummer.  He specializes in Rock, Jazz,  Metal, Fusion/Funk, double bass drumming, and high school Jazz band.   Mr. McCloskey teaches beginner to advanced Drumset and travels locally to teach in home lessons.  He accepts ages eight through adult and is available for in home lessons in the greater Austin area including Lake Travis, Dripping Springs, Kyle, and Buda.   

MOODY SCHOOLAR,  SCHOOL BAND PERCUSSION & JAZZ BAND DRUMSET SPECIALIST
 

Moody Schoolar began playing drums at the age of ten.  Moody's music training began at Clint Small Middle School where he was a percussionist in the school band.  He was  introduced to jazz music at Clint Small and won the Drumset chair in the school's Jazz band when he entered in the 7th grade.   Moody went on to audition for the James Bowie HS Outdoor Marching Ensemble as a percussionist.    Now a sophomore, Moody enjoys traveling around the country with the Bowie Music Ensembles and performing on the Bowie drum line.  Moody engages in all music opportunities offered at Bowie including concert band percussion and Jazz Band Drumset.

In addition to school band percussion, Moody teaches beginner and intermediate Drumset including Rock, Latin styles, Funk, Heavy Metal, double bass drum, and of course Jazz.  Moody brings to his students the major concepts and techniques of jazz drumming he learned at school and skills vital for passing school jazz band tryouts.  Moody, along with band mate Jacob Hume, present our studio's series of school band percussion workshops.  Moody will graduate Bowie HS in 2014.

Moody teaches ages ten and up.  He is available for in home drum lessons in South Austin, Circle C, Dripping Springs and Westlake areas.