Learn about our talented percussion instruments private instructors:
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Aaron Marsala (Percussion, Drums, Pan Drum/Steelpan) is a multi-faceted percussionist as well as pianist. His study of music has taken him down many paths. Aaron obtained his Music Education and Music Performance degrees at the University of Kentucky. This was followed by a Master’s program in World Music Performance at Northern Illinois University. Aaron’s passion towards learning the music of different cultures has resulted in studies and performances in many countries around the world. His life was changed for the better through music and the schooling of his teachers and he strives to do the same for all of his students. He is excited to be teaching a variety of instruments at MECA and working with wonderful students and families in our community.
Paul Ross (Steel Drum) is founder and leader of the midwest’s most accomplished professional steel band, Pan Go. and holds a Master of Music in Steel Pan and a Bachelor of Music in percussion performance from Northern Illinois University. A prolific composer, Paul’s collection of original compositions for steel band and steel pan solo are available from his publishing company Pan Press, Inc. In 1987 he founded the Elgin Community College Steel Band program. While at ECC he composed prolifically for steel band, writing 35 original pieces and arranging close to 100 others. In 1998 Paul produced “Full Circle,” the ECC Steel Band’s first CD, which included 3 of his compositions and a commissioned work by Trinidad steel pan legend Ray Holman. Paul has been directing the Harper College Steel Bands since the spring of 1998. During that time Harper’s advanced steel band has become one of the finest community steel bands in the nation. They have specialized in premiering new works for steel band. Paul has made three trips to Trinidad and Tobago, the home of the steel band, to perform in Panorama and the first World Steel Band Festival. He has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, Carnegie Hall, and on tour in Germany and Switzerland.
Darren Scorza (Percussion) began undergraduate studies at Eastern Illinois University in 1989. There he studied percussion with Johnny Lee Lane, and Jazz with Henry Butler. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music in 1993. Since returning home to Chicago in 1994, Darren has worked as a freelance musician and private percussion instructor. He has had the pleasure of performing with many jazz artists, including Bobby Enriquez, Richie Cole, Kevin Gainer, & Kevin Cole. He spent two years as the house drummer at Chicago’s famed Pump Room with Singer Jim Rollins. He has also recorded with many local artists including Michele Thomas, Ted Hogarth, Ari Seder, and Hard Art Groop. Darren also has led the Big Joe’s Sunday Night Jazz Jam for three years. Darren has been percussion instructor for Maine South High School in Park Ridge, IL. since 1995. He also teaches at Notre Dame High School and Wunder Studios. Darren was the drummer for the “Tribute to the Rat Pack” show at the Royal George Theater in 2006. Recent recordings include Ari Seder’s Organ Trio, Jeff Hedberg’s C11 & Margie Gibson’s All We Need to Know (both now featured on Itunes). He is currently working on Michele Thomas’ new recording titled Messenger. If not drumming, he wastes too much of his time following hockey, doing bad impersonations and comedy, and has renewed his love for Van Halen & and the Police.
Inderjeet Sidhu (Percussion, Drums, Indian Tabla) has been playing hand percussion and drums for over 30 years. Inderjeet started his quest to involve himself physically and spiritually with the rhythms that surrounded his world at an early age. While not yet in high school, Inderjeet traveled to India to study Indian Classical music and Sikh Kirtan music with Sudhir Kushal, one of India’s most educated and learned musicians. When he returned to the USA, Inderjeet studied tabla with Ustad Allah Rakha (Ravi Shankar’s Tabla player) and Allah Rakah’s son, Ustad Zakir Hussain. Learning from two generations of the world’s most famous Indian classical tabla musicians, Inderjeet then took lessons with Pat Metheny’s drummer Paul Wertico. With this incredible arsenal of musical ideas, Inderjeet started to incorporate eastern and western styles of music while drumming with rock and jazz bands throughout Chicagoland. He then started teaching all aspects of poly-rhythmic theory and time-signature definition to all percussionists from all parts of the world. In 1996, he was invited to play with at the Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Inderjeet Sidhu works with are Phil Circle Band, Jack Salamander and the Deep Chicago Rhythm Owls. Currently, as the drummer for MWC and various other groups in Chicago, New York, Washington D.C. and in the Gulf Coast of Florida. Inderjeet Sidhu holds several degrees including a Masters from the University of West Florida.
Harper College CE 