Testimonials
You have done so well and you are a leader in the drumming community! The Big Band book is excellent!
Dom Famularo
“I sincerely hope that you love and enjoy your job, because you generate real joy for others. 1. You are a very good teacher – patient, and sensitive to your students’ energy, enthusiasm, and desire. (At least mine). 2. You generate happiness with your work – for me, the funnest 2 hours of my month are during my lesson! Thank you for embodying all of the best characteristics of a teacher – “
Student of Gareys
“Garey constantly provides an outstanding presentation to our students. He is clear, positive and instructional. The students leave Garey’s clinic inspired and motivated. Thanks!”
Bryan Beale Central Kitsap Junior High Band Director
“Garey Williams is always a pleasure to have as a clinician, extremely aware of people’s needs…will always refer to Garey as ‘The Best’.”
Keith Purvis-Purvis Drum Shop
“Awesome! Good demos, clear explanations, personable and draws kids in. I got some good ideas and tips as well! Thanks Garey!”
Jeremy Faxon Fairview Junior High Band Director
Read Carl B.‘s review of Drumset Artistry on Yelp
“I think you gave a really good clinic and got your your points across real well. Most of all…your playing is wonderful and I was really digging it!!”
Gregg Bissonette
“Hello Everyone, I can’t thank you enough for sponsoring Garey Williams to work in schools!! Any time my kids can go see Garey perform inspires them; when my students are given the opportunity to be in a clinic given by Garey, they are inspired even more and they become incredibly empowered players. Students talk about seeing Garey’s drum technique “close up” and then going home and applying what they learned in the clinic. Several students are driving their parents nuts through practice. How amazing is that? Thank you for strengthening my students. Thank you for providing such an inspiration in Garey. ”
Don May Ellensburg High School and Middle School Band Director
“I’ve been to P.I.T. (Percussion Institute of Technology) and studied with some great teachers but Garey’s method of explaining and teaching is so clear and easy to understand.“
Clinic Attendant
“You have always been a gigantic inspiration and after hearing you play in the 90’s, when asked who my drumming idols are, I usually answer something like “Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta, Garey Williams, Buddy Rich….etc.” Drummers usually ask “who’s Garey Williams?” I tell them who you are to me! Hope I didn’t make you feel awkward with all of the praise but if the drumming world was the martial arts world I’d be calling you Sensei, Sifu, Master, or even Grand Master! I feel lucky to have been and continue to be associated with you.”
Former Private Student
“We want Garey to come back! Very professional presentation, age appropriate, great delivery, exceptional musicality!”
Ron Hazenburg Illahee Middle School Band Director
“Loved the clinic. Kids jaws dropped when Garey played a solo for them. He spoke very clearly & was SO helpful with basic techniques & stick balance & evenness.”
Sheryl Clark Harbor Ridge Middle School Band Director
“Garey’s clinic and presentations are relaxed and well delivered. It’s clear he’s been doing this for a long time.
Dom Famularo International Clinician Director of Education for Sabian Cymbals
“I’ve pored over your instructions and my notes so as to get the most out of your suggestions – I learned more during the session than the sum of all my other drum lessons.”
Private Drum Instructor
“Garey, I’m sure you know what a great teacher you are. But I’ve trained school teachers and also adult trainers in companies for over 30 years, and I just have to tell you what a pleasure it is to watch you working with Jeremy. Your ability to find him being successful, pull the best out of him and encourage him to do things he’s afraid he can’t do are extraordinary. I’m so happy that we found you, and it’s exciting to see how he works with you. I’m feeling that you’re exactly the right person to take Jeremy further.”
Carl Parent of Student
“Hi Garey, I’m getting back to you after Micah’s awesome lesson. You are a wonderful teacher! Micah said he learned more from that lesson than he did all year. Thanks for being so encouraging.”
Mary Parent of Student
“I have really enjoyed my lessons so far. I can’t tell you how much I have learned and how much I enjoy learning from you. It is amazing that I am beginning to learn how to do the things that I have been hearing for decades. Thank you, Garey.”
Private Student
“I am thrilled to see the growth in my son’s playing, thanks in no small part to the skilled coaching and direction provided by Garey. Garey knows how to encourage my son to work steadily toward a goal, and he never fails to bring something new to the table in every lesson, while still making sure the essentials are being developed. We are fortunate to live close enough to take lessons in person, but the Skype option is a pretty good option too when there isn’t time to drive there.”
Rob Kline Parent of Student
“A master teacher in every sense of the title, Garey is able to present infinite concepts reduced to a simple one page non-threatening exercise. There are several example of this from my dozen or so lessons that still send me into new territory as a player in minutes! For a beginner, Garey will set you up for every imaginable scenario. If one comes up that he hasn’t thought of, he will have showed you the method to work it out…pay attention! As a professional drummer trying to up my game, I developed a real appreciation for tone color and the musical possibilities for all the playing surfaces on a drum set. Garey showed me how to relax and still “go for it.” The result was pocket awareness and colorful grooves!
Finally, as all good master teachers should be able to do, Garey helped me face my demons. These came up sometimes as tempo inconsistencies, or grooves with no fire, but really were really rooted in my own selfishness. In other words I was caught up in how do I sound? As in, do “they” think I am good? Instead of how do I sound, as an honest evaluation, based intelligent awareness of my posture and what my mind was focused on. Awareness learning, the kind that they are trying to eliminate in the schools, the only kind that stimulates curiosity and mastery, is what Garey imparts to students. You see it in the many gifted players he has worked with over the years.” Scott Ketron
“Garey is an outstanding drummer and percussionist. He is a gifted author and educator. Garey is stretching the boundaries of technique and concept for drummers, while providing excellent practical information and training, so necessary to succeed in today’s music business.”
Ed Hartman
Garey Williams is the REAL DEAL! He is a “drummer’s drummer” who can play with the best of them in any style, both as ensemble player and soloist. Yet, the thing that separates Garey from many other fine players, is his incredible teaching chops honed by years of private instruction, university level teaching, and intensive clinic work with all ages. His ability to communicate, demonstrate, and inspire results in improvements for every student I’ve watched him teach. Garey achieves this with an honest, nurturing, and motivating teaching style that builds up the student’s technique and confidence. I’ve worked with Garey, both as a musician and educator, and I can truly say he is one of the finest artist/teachers in the business. I recommend him highly!
Vijay Singh, CWU Choir/Jazz Director, Voice