Mike Burris - CoreBeat Testimonials
5/29/08: Galen McCaw:
Taking lessons from you has been great. It has now been about a year and a half and I have been learning quickly all thanks to you. You really are a great teacher. Since I have been playing the drums I have realized that it is what I want to do for a living. Thank you. If I had not taken lessons from you I might not have ever realized this. Drumming has given me something to do, focus on, and improve in my life. I drum every day, not out of determination to beat my set up or to be a truly dedicated drummer (although I do want to be dedicated and I am), but out of the joy I get from it. You really know how to use different approaches when I'm not getting something, to make it easier to learn. For anybody who is reading this and considering lessons, Mike is a great teacher who will get you places quickly.
5/25/08: Breeze Cudzilo:
I've enjoyed messing around with drums but didn't really know how to play them. I started taking lessons with Mike with the Krakatoa group and have learned so much and have performed on stage a half dozen times. If anyone had told me I would be doing that I wouldn't of believed them. Mike made the lessons enjoyable and user friendly.
I also pursued a life long goal of playing drum set. I never thought I'd be able to get my coordination together but i finally did. Mike makes it easy and fun. Now I just need to practice more.
5/20/08: Ethan Learned:
During the last five years of my life, drumming has been the most important thing going for me aside from school work and Varsity Baseball at Sabino High School. I play drums in the band Averahwhich was formed during eighth grade in middle school. We are now finishing an EP in the studio, planning artwork for shirts, and looking into a CD release show sometime in July followed by a two week summer tour to neighboring states. For more information about the band please feel free to visit our Myspace website (www.myspace.com/averah) for music and updates in the future.
I started playing drums when I was about 13 years old and took lessons for about two years. My instructor Mike Burris helped introduce me to the world of drums. He taught me the fundamentals, coordination, and reading skills that all play a key role in where I am today. He gave me the confidence and skills I needed to take drumming further and pursue my dreams in music. I feel as if I owe him for everything my band has accomplished over the years because he encouraged me and “coached” our band in a way from the start.
One of the most important things I have learned over these last few years is that practice and patience is definitely worth it in the end. Don’t get me wrong, if my band wants to make it, we have much more work ahead of us and we are just beginning our road to getting our “foot in the door”. Practice and hard work is essential to achieving anything in life. Sometimes things may become frustrating or overwhelming, but the most important thing you can do for yourself is stay with it. I still have my fair amount of times where I struggle to achieve what I want but I would not be doing the things I am today if I had given up.
Being born 12 weeks premature (weighing 2 lbs. 12 oz.) along with having my right lung collapse and undergoing open heart surgery at birth, has opened my eyes to how lucky I am to have come so far, so strong. I have times where I get down when things don’t go the way I had planned, but my main goal recently has been to strive for what I want most, and not to let little things bother me as much. I still have a lot of work ahead of me. I am two days away from graduation night and will take this goal and outlook with me to college at the University of Arizona. If you would like to contact me with any questions or comments feel free to send me an email at [email protected].
5/16/08: Tracey Cannon: I completely enjoyed my lesson and connected with your style of teaching. You are a gifted teacher! Thank you for the extra time you gave me for my first lesson to get me going in the right direction . . . that was really great of you! Drumming is totally awesome . . . thank you for the encouragement of "incremental strides."
Mrs. Faye: I relate to your attitude that the true gift of a teacher is that his/her student values instruction enough to put it in to practice and thereby succeeds at the goal. I also know, as a born teacher, that heartfelt, sincere thank you's have a great impact too. Only teachers know just how much teachers invest in the success of their students, and how much sweat, pain, and prayers go into the process of attempting to help a student be great. I truly appreciate your efforts Mike.
You are exceptionally gifted by God "and" you maximize your own efforts to prevail in what you do--absolutely the formula for success. I thank God for your example in our son's life as he is prone to disorganization and slothfulness. He has the desire to succeed but regularly falls short of willingness to put forth the effort.
I pray that in this next semester that God will open his eyes to the second half of the success formula that God designed. You, of all people, are most qualified in (my son's) life to assist God in this prayer.
Thank you for your perseverance, proactivity, prudence, attention to planning, communication, commitment to excellence, and patience. I pray that these great, Godly qualities will inspire (my son) to adopt them into his own life. Thank you for all you do and for your relentless commitment.
May God richly bless you now and in the future for your obedience to His principles. May He also bless you with incredible counselors and support in any area that you need help and guidance.
SHARON: Hi Mike, Just wanted to let you know how much I'm TOTALLY enjoying my drumming lessons! I was really tired when I showed up last night (too much activity in my life lately...) but when I started drumming, I became inspired and energized. Thanks for being such a great teacher. I feel as if I'm learning so much and will actually be capable of using my drumming in some way in the future.
Chelsea: Dear Mr. Burris, I started drumming because all of my friends were in band, but not me. I wanted to be in band, but the only instrument that I played was the piano. The band teacher (Mrs. Leebardt) suggested the drums, since I knew the rhythms. I started just playing regular percussion and joined the jazz band, where I basically taught myself how to play the drum set.
Mike Fay: Maybe a 1 ½ years later, we ended up moving out west to Tucson, Arizona and I played my drums everyday for about 1 year. Then I started taking lessons from Todd Hammes for a year or so. Then I guess he decided to stop giving lessons. So I went for awhile without lessons. Then we met Mike Burris at Mountain Music and I started taking that day...I have been for over 2 years now. I highly recommend him!!
As the years have past I have been in multiple bands, playing shows all over Tucson with all of them, some serious, some crazy and pointless and for fun. I have played with many other local bands, and have played with some signed bands, to name a few: Twotimer, Broken Cedars, Noggintoboggan, Under-go, Against the Norm, Phil’s Revenge, Los Locos Gringos, and many many more. I play my drums almost everyday, finding that practice doesn’t make perfect...just better.
I am having a blast with life, playing shows, taking lessons, meeting all kinds of people, making a little money...and doing all that by playing drums. Simply because I wanted something so bad that I took the time to reach out and claim it. It really isn’t hard to find other musicians in your area, you simply have to make yourself known. I hope to go on with one of my bands and "make it big" and be able to support myself and my family later in life. ...I would like to thank Michael Burris for being such an inspiration to my drumming. I would probably still be at the basics! Thanks Mike!!! You rock dude!!!
Mike: Michael is amazingly still excited about drum class which is a testimony in itself. He usually quits everything and gets a negative attitude very quickly. You just can't imagine where we're coming from- so thank you so much for inspiring my son!
Kathi C.: This seems like a perfect opportunity to let you know what I have been meaning to write for some time. Learning to play drums has changed my life. As dramatic as that may sound, it is true. Your upbeat nature, encouragement, and belief that it is never too late to follow one's dreams has opened up a whole new world for me. I have always loved music and have played other instruments in the past. But there is nothing quite so therapeutic as beating on the drums! It has also opened up new considerations for my career, what I want to do with my life, and how I want to contribute to the world. Thank you so much for sharing your talent with me, for being patient when I can't quite get something, and for renewing my faith in the belief that anything is possible.
Mike F.: I FRICKEN LOVE MY LESSONS!!!!!!!!!!!
Nick: Congratulations on getting your web site. It looks wonderful!
Janet and James H.: I truly wish that I had been lucky enough to have a music teacher with the enthusiasm and genuine interest in their instrument that Mike Burris demonstrate on a consistent basis towards drumming. The best teachers are ones that love what they do. There is no doubt that Mike loves drumming, and everyone of his students benefit from his vision and desire to teach others what he truly enjoys. Drumming and Mike Burris make a winning combination. Anyone looking for an awesome teacher need look no further...you found him!
Tyler H. - I have to tell you. It took Tyler a little while to show his stuff when he set up in the class room. He played his piece with the band but was considerably slower than the teacher wanted it. I told her to tell him directly what she needed...because he could do it. So yesterday afternoon he showed his band teacher exactly what he could do, and she started pulling out more sheet music with different drum beats. She was rather excited that he was capable of doing the Latin beats as well as doing fast paced. She said she has never used some of the music because she has never had a student capable. Tyler seems very motivated to excel now that he is showing off his work to others. - Janet H.
11/26/01: Andrew Lappitt
1st chair in TUSD Honor Band in 2000, NAU Summer Music Camp 1999, 2000, and 2001. Performed in several school jazz concerts. Peformed in several concert band concerts. Played cymbals in Sabino High School Marching Band my freshman year (2000) and 3rd bass drum my sophomore year. (2001). Performed with rock band in Los Angeles at Hanukah Festival for synagogue.
5/19/00 Matthew B. - He auditioned for 8th grade jazz band and made it. Now we have 3 months to really learn jazz.
5/13/00 Matthew S. - I just listened to his CD and wow, I'm blown away. Great sound. His band is called Vaguely Aware. Watch for it!
5/13/00 Brandon B. - he's playing 2 concerts at church and the 8th grade graduation for his middle school. Wow, this dude is a player!
5/12/00 Jacob G. - A brand new student with only 3 lessons with me and he's already doing stuff that some of my students after a year can't do. What's the secret? He practices diligently 30 minutes a day and does the assignments I give him. I'm blown away! I wish more of my students would heed my advise to practice daily. You'll always find time to do the things you really want to do. It's a choice between Nintendo, the TV, playing with the kids on the block, or drums. What will have a lasting impact on you? What can earn you money while you're in high school (that you'll want for a car) or in college (to help you get through it)?
5/11/00 Michael F. - This guy's incredible! He's doing 3 shows this weekend with his band. I count it a privilege to have influenced him.
5/11/00 Scott A. - He's playing his first concert on drums! Boy was he nervous, but the fun he's going to have. Cool!
5/10/00 Sam D. - He got 1st place in the talent show contest at school playing the drums with his little band he put together.
5/2/00 Ben F. – congrats on you playing your first concert on drum set.
5/2/00 Matt C. – you’ve been practicing and it shows! Also congrats on your concerts you’ve been playing in.
5/2/00: Carlos L. got an A+ for a music project where he played in his band at the student union at school.
Friday 4/28/00 Christian Faith Center - Josh M. is playing the drums for their worship service.
4/24/00: My student Carlos L. is in a band named Captain Kagaroo's Funky Killer Kitten Shaggers.
4/20/00: Andy M. showed me his prototype for a light-weight glove that has Velcro sewn into the thumb & forefinger and also inset into the drumstick so that you never loose your perfect grip - the VNP: Vulcan Nerve Pinch. I can't wait until he has these ready for sale. It will help all my students!
4/11/00: Josh M. played at Christian Faith Center during church. Great gig!
4/11/00: Ben F. made 3rd chair percussion for Magee Middle School and he just got a new drum set!
Some of my students were promoted to honor band. Congratulation to Andrew L. and Brandon B.
Andrew L. – for not only making Honor Band but making FIRST chair! He also had gone to Band Camp and played a mean snare part (very fast). We played together in his Bar mitzvah awhile back – him on Drum Set & me on percussion. It was a blast.
Matt B. will be playing the snare drum at the Concert Band Festival in Phoenix on Saturday with his Tortolita Middle School Band - Julie B. 4/18/00 - they received an Excellent rating.