Joe 
'Jopey'
Fitzpatrick

All About Me

Educator

I teach private lessons from my home in Belchertown Ma.
My focus is on technique, note reading, groove, and musicality.
I try to incorporate music theory concepts such as form, melody, harmony, and texture.
Drum set styles explored include rock, funk, swing, latin, reggae,  soca and world rythms in regular and irregular time signatures.

BACKGROUND:
    *Bachelors degree in Music Education with general music classroom certification
    *Over 10 years experience teaching general music in Public Schools
    *Have been playing the drums over 35 years
    *10 years experience in recording
    *Created, edited, & posted weekly podcasts featuring local musicians
  
PHILOSOPHY:
I believe students with a solid foundation of proper technique and strong note reading skills
will continue to excel and develop as musicians long after lessons have ended.
Students are encouraged to direct the focus of lessons and take an active roll
in their education.

I hope my love of drumming and music as a whole is shared with my students
in such a way that it encourages them to also find joy in the art of drumming.

FACILITY/INSTRUMENTATION:
 My basement has been converted into my studio space which includes a comfortable waiting area for parents with a large window allowing you to see into the teaching space.  In the waiting area is also my recording equipment.  There is a large separate teaching room.

Instrumentation includes:
    *2 full drum sets
    *practice pads
    *a 4.3 octave marimba
    *various hand percussion
    *a piano
    *a recording studio

I  encourage all my students to be well rounded percussionist.

                                

Performer

I have been playing drum set professionally for over 35 years. I have played numerous styles including rock, jazz, funk, reggae, world beat amoung others.I have toured the country and abroad with various musicians and groups. I am currently involved with the following projects :

• Trailer Park

• Gaslight Tinkers

• Ghok-Bi System

• Show of Cards

• T.J and the Peepers

• Christina and the Flying Cantalinis

• Samirah Evans

​

I have also recorded in many local studios including :

• Northfire Recording Studios

• Rotary Records

• Waterhouse Recording

• Ruckous Studios

• ​

See my upcoming events below.

Upcoming Shows

The Gaslight Tinkers at Warwick Town Hall

Sat Jan 11, 2020       Warwick, MA

Galvanizer at Progression Brewery

Fri Jan 17, 2020 .    Northampton, MA

The Gaslight Tinkers at Lenox Contra Dance

Sat January 18, 2020 .    Lenox, MA

The Gaslight Tinkers at The Stone Church

Sun Jan 19, 2020 .    Brattleboro, VT

The Gaslight Tinkers at Amherst Contra Dance

Wed Jan 22, 2020 .     Amherst, MA

The O-Tones at Hawks and Reed

Sun Jan 26, 2020 .    Greenfield, MA

Trailer Park at Progression Brewery

Fri Jan 31, 2020 .    Northampton, MA

The Gaslight Tinkers at Hawks and Reed

Sat Feb 8, 2020 .    Greenfield, MA

Galvanizer at Firefly Gastropub

Sat Feb 22, 2020 .     Lenox, MA

The Gaslight Tinkers at Montpelier Contra Dance

Sa March 7, 2020 .     Montpelier, VT

Galvanizer at HiLo North Adams

Fri March 13, 2020     N Adams, MA

Trailer Park at Dover Town Hall

Wed March 18, 2020 .     Dover, VT

The Gaslight Tinkers at The Stone Church

Sat March 28, 2020    Brattleboro, VT