
Drummer Educator
JoeÂ
'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 professionally for 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/equipment includes:
*2 full drum sets
*practice pads
*a 4.3 octave marimba
*various percussion instruments
*a digital 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 :
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The Gaslight Tinkers
Big Yellow Taxi
Galvanizer
The O-Tones
Minstrels In the Gallery
T.J and the Peepers
​
I have also recorded in many local studios including :
Northfire Recording Studios
Rotary Records
Waterhouse Recording
Ruckous Studios
Shoestring Studios
Jopey Studios
See my upcoming events below.
EVENTS
2023
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Wed July 26 w/ Carrie Furguson @ Chicopee Public Library Chicopee, MA
Thur July 27 w/ The O-Tones @ Chicopee Council on Aging
Fri/Sat July 28/29 w/ The Gaslight Tinkers @ Falcon Ridge Folk Fest Goshen, CT
Sun July 30 w/ Jen Gaffney @ 350 Grill Springfield, MA
Sun Aug 6 w/ The Gaslight Tinkers @ The Permaculture Place Shelburne Falls Ma
Fri-Sun Aug 11-13 w/ The Gaslight Tinkers @ Balance the Bay San Francisco, CA
Fri Aug 18 w/ TJ & the Peepers @ Zeke's Bernardston, MA
Fri Aug 25 w/ Galvanizer @ Burgy Brews Williamsburg, MA
Tues Aug 29 w/ TJ & the Peepers @ Whatley Library Whatley, MA
Fri Sept 1 w/ Galvanizer @ 4 Star Brewery Northfield, MA
Sat Sept 2 w/ TJ & the Peepers @ Yankee Candle Deerfield, MA
Sat Sept 2 w/ Galvanizer @ River Garden Marketplace Brattleboro, VT
Sun Sept 3 w/ TJ & the Peepers @ Yankee Candle Deerfield, MA
Mon Sept 4 w/ TJ & the Peepers @ Yankee Candle Deerfield, MA
Fri Sept 8 w/ Big Yellow Taxi @ The Devine Theatre Holyoke, MA
Fri Sept 15 w/ TJ & the Peepers @ Zeke's Bernardston, MA
Sun Oct 1 w/ The Gaslight Tinkers @ The Garlic Fest Orange ,MA
Sun Oct 1 w/ Galvanizer @ Burgy Brews Williamsburg, MA
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"Joe was my drum-set teacher for 5+ years when I was younger. I started at a basic level and he gave me the skills I needed to get to the point where I could develop my own style and continue learning on my own. Any time I felt stuck at a particular skill-level, a lesson with Joe would help me break that barrier. Joe has been my biggest inspiration as a drummer - and now, I am an inspiration for others."
Jeremy Skillings
