How did you get into making music, and how did arts education (or lack thereof) affect you and your music?

I grew up in a house of music fans, so naturally when the opportunity arose to try out for band in fifth grade, I went for it. I was determined that my fingers were too small for my first choice of saxophone so (thank god) I was given my second choice of drums. Thankfully my parents were supportive and a year or so later I was given my first drum set, which I used and abused for the next sixteen years. I took lessons outside of school for jazz and rock drumming, and got my technical education from the marching and symphonic bands I was part of at middle and high school. Without those countless hours of practice and preparation for parades, halftime shows and competitions, I wouldn’t be the drummer I am today. And without music in the schools, I might not have been a drummer at all.

(MySpace)

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