ST. PAUL DRUM LESSONS

You don’t need to bring a drum set to lessons :)

Derek Ludgate

Availability: 3:00-8:00 Thursday

Derek Ludgate is a seasoned drummer with 31 years of experience, including 10 years of formal training that began at age 5. Proficient across genres such as Metal, Rock, Blues, Funk, Latin, and Polka. Over the past decade, he has toured the US, Europe, and the UK, sharing the stage with bands like Three Days Grace, August Burns Red, Atreyu, and Norma Jean. He’s also performed at renowned festivals, including Full Force (Germany), Inkcarceration (Ohio), and Christmas Burns Red (Pennsylvania).

Derek finds joy in teaching drumming to students of all levels. Known for his approachable and fun teaching style, he’s committed to making lessons engaging and pressure-free.

When Derek isn’t teaching, he plays in two metal bands—In Search of Solace and Earth Groans—while also performing with cover bands around the cities. 

Neha Sunkum

Availability: Tuesdays 3:00-5:00 PM. Wednesdays 3:00-7:00 PM

Neha Sunkum is a Minneapolis-based drummer with 17 years of experience. She is an active member of the Twin Cities music scene and currently plays drums for Labrador Wild, Saltfangs and Carhearts. She has also toured professionally with Canadian punk rock band NOBRO. Her musical experience spans a variety of genres including rock, indie, punk, pop, EDM and hip-hop.  Beyond performing, Neha is also a content creator and regularly shares live performances, drum covers, and other music-related content on Instagram @nehasunkum.

As an instructor, Neha enjoys working with beginner and intermediate drum set students. She tailors lessons to each student's interests and goals while helping them build strong fundamentals. Her ultimate goal is to inspire a love of drumming and help students reach their full potential.

Kyle Te Poel

Available: 3:00-8:00 Mondays

Kyle Te Poel is a life-long musician, who began tapping on anything he could get his hands on from a very early age, including his first drums at age 5. He began teaching professionally at age 16, and went on to study music at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Kyle has performed on local, regional, and international stages, as a drummer, keyboardist, singer, and songwriter, from Rochester's annual "Down by the Riverside" concert series to London's New Year's Day parade. He has been awarded "Outstanding Soloist" at the Duluth Jazz Festival, and the "Musicianship Award" from Instrumentalist Magazine.

The acts he has appeared on stage with range from frequent Midwest performers like The Johnny Holm Band and John Paulson, to legends of the American music scene like Doc Severinsen (Johnny Carson's band leader on "The Tonight Show"), and Hornheads (Prince's horn section during the New Power Generation era). He also performed for several years with future favorites of The Current like Brian Moen and Mike Munson.
As a player and instructor, his specialties are in the fields of beginner drum and mallet percussion, classical, drum set (jazz, rock, latin), and marching percussion. Kyle teaches the musicality of drums, and believes it is important for the student to understand their role in an ensemble setting (how the drums both interact with and enhance the other instruments).

Kyle's lessons are custom-taught for each individual student, and may include the following:

*Beginner-Intermediate-Advanced level percussion: Snare, bells, concert percussion (i.e. school band and its miscellaneous percussion instruments)
*Beginner Theory, Ear Training, Composition (reading, writing, and hearing music, understanding and recognizing note intervals, chords, etc.)
*Performance Percussion (marching band/corps style)
*Beginner-Intermediate-Advanced drum set: Styles range from rock, jazz, pop, funk, latin, r&b, hip-hop, and more.

James Crimmings

Availability: Tuesdays from 5:00-8:00 PM.

James Crimmings holds a bachelor's degree in Music Performance and is a professional drummer, percussionist, and music educator with nearly 20 years of private teaching experience. His performance background includes two years of touring with a country band, as well as performing with numerous original and cover bands throughout Minneapolis, greater Minnesota, and Iowa.

James also has extensive experience as a freelance and substitute drummer, performing with a variety of musical groups and adapting to different styles and settings. He has been actively involved in church music for many years, collaborating with other musicians in rehearsals and live worship services.

James teaches students of all ages and skill levels, tailoring lessons to each student's individual interests, abilities, and goals. His teaching approach emphasizes proper technique, rhythmic development, music reading, and practical playing skills, helping beginners establish a strong foundation while guiding more experienced students toward greater proficiency.

With a broad background in both performance and education, James takes a versatile, practical approach to teaching. His goal is to help students build confidence, develop their musical abilities, and discover the enjoyment of playing music.