D.M.I. has the most experienced drum and percussion staff in the metro area. Past and present students at DMI have become first chair drummers at the middle school and high school level, acceptance into state honor and all county bands and as scholarship winners and acceptance to such universities as CU Boulder, University of North Texas, University of Northern Colorado, University of Texas Austin and the Berklee College of Music. Visit the "Prices/Contact" page for prices and more info.

GIFT CERTIFICATES available. Visit the Prices/Contact page.

Why take your lessons at DMI? Check out just a few of the things our university degreed instructors offer at D.M.I. All ages, levels, and styles welcome!
  Drumset
 
  • Jazz independence
  • Latin (Afro cuban)
  • Brazilian (Samba, bossa, baioa)
  • Caribbean (Reggae, soca)
  • Chart reading (make your school jazz band!)
  • Fills
  • Funk
  • Rock
  • Rhythm section basics (how to lock in with the bass player... your BEST friend)
  • Double pedal
  • Timing
  • Transcribing
  Percussion
 

  • Timpani (DMI is the ONLY school with a set of four professional timpani. Band parts, auditions, tuning, technique)
  • Steel drum / pan (DMI has the only steel drum program)
  • Marching Tenor/ Quads/Quints (Scrapes, crossovers and more. DMI is the only place to teach this. Make your drumline!)
  • Rudiments (the 40 PAS which include the standard 26)
  • Drum Corps - 41 hybrid rudiments (Cheeses, flam 5's and more. We are the only school that teaches these)
  • 2 and 4 mallet marimba (where else can you learn Stevens and Burton 4 mallet?)
  • Conga and hand drum
  • Concert and marching snare
  • College Audition prep ( we have a proven history of helping students get into music school)
 

As if these great programs don't already set DMI apart from all other drum programs in the Denver area, DMI has teamed up with Rocky Mountain Steel Bands to create the only steel drum and band program in the region. Visit the "Steel Drum" page.

  Eric Jansen
Eric Jansen received a Bachelor's degree in percussion from the University of Northern Colorado. Eric played in the Blue Knights drum and bugle corps and competed in three DCI world championships. Eric is active playing in the Littleton and Lakewood symphonies and plays drumset in several local bands.
   
  Rich Rychel
Rich Rychel received his formal training from Northern Illinois University. He is an endorser and clinician for Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, Latin Percussion (LP) and HQ percussion. Rich has served on the Modern Drummer Magazine Reader Advisory board and has written numerous articles and transcriptions for that publication. Rich has performed on cruise ships, has backed up national acts and Motown era stars, and currently is the drummer for Denver based group Pan Jumbies. Rich has over 15 years teaching experience and was assistant band director at Cherry Creek High School from 1997-2000.
© 2006 Denver Music Institute. All rights reserved. Providing drum lessons to people in Denver, Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Centennial,and Englewood.