Rhythm Alchemy

Specialties

Drum Set Lessons & Percussion Instruction for school band and orchestra. Reading, Recording, jammin with a band… I will teach you how to play the drums and percussion *musically*.

Have you or your kids expressed interest in music or the performing arts? I offer private & professional instruction designed to improve a young artist’s confidence, strengthen communication skills, and open doors to creativity and imagination.

At Rhythm Alchemy, students learn *how to play the drums musically*. Specifically: beginning to advanced skills on the drumset in Rock, Funk, Jazz & Odd-​time and various, symphonic percussion for kids in school band and orchestra (snare drum, cymbals, tambourine etc), basic rhythm training for young beginners, on-​stage and in-​studio preparedness, sampling, triggering and recording.

Consider that rhythm is a fundamental element of nearly all of the performing art disciplines (especially drumming!) so a strong comprehension of rhythm can lay the foundation for success in a variety of artistic mediums.

History

Established in 1991.

I studied privately with David Jarvis at Washington State University as a Percussion Performance major and performing arts scholarship recipient. Upon relocation to Seattle, I continued my study with Mike Crusoe of the Seattle Symphony and enrolled as a student at the Seattle Drum School with Steve Smith. Over the next two decades I performed, recorded and toured the U.S. with Gerald Collier, Ian Moore, Voyager One, Manooghi Hi and dozens of other established acts and musicians. I performed in ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ (Seattle and SF), ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’, ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’ and other fun musical theater productions too. I currently play with SF-​based rock band Gold Minor and «The Voice» finalist Kat Robichaud. Throughout this time I have offered private instruction to kids and adults and am currently accepting new students at two studios in San Francisco.

(housecalls possible!)

Meet the Business Owner

John Hollis F.

Business Owner

My name is John Hollis, originally from Washington State (both eastern and western). I was a competitive swimmer in my youth and the discipline translated to music completely when I bought my first drumkit at age 12. I eventually studied percussion performance at Washington State University and have been teaching and playing professionally/​semi-​professionally since 1991. I currently play with SF-​based rock band Gold Minor and «The Voice» finalist Kat Robichaud, and I teach at two studios in San Francisco.