Our INstructors
At the core of any school are its instructors. Here at the Baltimore School for Drumming, we hold our teaching staff to the highest standards possible. We believe that a successful music school is comprised of a proven curriculum, and exceptional teachers.
It is important to know that each teacher has had a background check and must have a minimum of 10 years of teaching and playing experience. When it comes to choosing the right school, you will find that all of our teachers must be able to work well with our younger students, as well as adults, and be able to give a fun and creative lesson.
MARK JONES – Director
Mark Jones is the owner and director of the Baltimore School for Drumming which was established back in 1997. Mark is currently endorsed by Vic Firth. He is well versed in all styles of rock and contemporary drumming, as well as Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and Jazz drumming. His lessons also include classical and rudimental snare drumming working with linear and layered patterns, double bass drumming, polyrhythms, as well as instruction on all mallet keyboard percussion.
Mike kanter – Assistant Director
Mike Kanter has a very musical, practical, and enjoyable teaching approach using his years of experience to help his students reach their goals. Expanding his student’s knowledge of different musical styles while building proper technique and a strong foundation.
chris pierorazio – Instructor
Baltimore native Chris Pierorazio began his formal studies at the age of six with Peabody Conservatory alum Mark Jones at the Baltimore School for Drumming, where he studied until 2005. While there, he studied drum set in all genres including advanced jazz studies, modern rock and funk techniques, Latin style as well as classical and rudimental snare drum studies.
christine skeen – Instructor
Christine Skeen is an elementary instrumental music teacher at Timonium Elementary School and Glyndon Elementary School in Baltimore county. She has been a judge and sectional leader for the BCPS All County and Junior All County ensembles, a judge for the Maryland All State ensemble, a teacher at the BCPS Music Camp, and the drumline tech for the Dulaney Marching Band.
jason cohen – Instructor
When one obtains a specialty too early within a vast, interconnected topic such as music, they lose the chance to fully understand the big picture. Jason Cohen, although a drummer by trade, has had the opportunity to see music from many different vantage points through his personal studies in piano, guitar and vocals as well as drums. Once Jason was certain that his passion lay behind the kit, he was honored with the opportunity to continue his studies with the legendary Walter Salb. It was there that Jason developed the fundamental drumming theory and practices that would build the strong foundation on which he has built his career.
David Jacober – Instructor
David Jacober is a seasoned, and well-recognized, native Baltimore-based percussionist, song writer, composer, recording artist, session musician, and drum teacher. He earned a B.S. in Audio/Radio Production & Jazz Performance from Towson University in 2009. He is best known for his role as drummer and as 1 of 3 founding members of the band, Dope Body (Drag City Records), which formed in 2008, toured the U.S. and Europe extensively from 2009-2016, released more than 4 full length records, and were recognized as Baltimore’s best new band by the City Paper in 2011.
sarah fabian – Instructor
Sarah is currently working on earning her Ph.D. in Music Education from George Mason University. Before that, she graduated from both Towson University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education with a concentration in Percussion and Johns Hopkins Peabody Conservatory where she earned a Master’s in Music Education. She is currently an adjunct professor at George Mason, works with Mason’s Green Machine Pep Band Drumline (where she arranges and composes for them), as well as several other Northern Virginia marching ensembles as both an instructor and music arranger.
dave tart – Instructor
Dave Tart was exposed to drumming at a young age and played in every band that he could from elementary to high school (marching band, concert band, orchestra, percussion ensemble, etc.). He graduated from Towson University in 2009 with a degree in Percussion Performance.
taso kotsos – Instructor
Taso has been teaching at the professional level for over twenty five years. He is focusing on a complete curriculum at the Baltimore School for Drumming which includes reading music, hand and foot techniques, linear drumming, double bass drumming, as well many varied styles of playing.
bob hill – Instructor
Bob has been playing drums for over thirty years and has performed a wide variety of musical styles. He began by playing snare drum in several local and regional Drum Corps and was awarded the NBTA National Snare Solo Championship in 1980 and ’81.