Welcome

This site is designed as a resource for all percussionists, and specifically as an online home for my studio at Music/Arts Institute in Independence, Missouri.  I am percussion head, and director of the CrossPulse Ethnic Drum Ensemble at MAI, as well as a member of the school's Board of Directors.

I am a freelance percussionist, educator, electronic musician and owner of Darbuka Productions, an audio/visual company based in Lees Summit, Missouri. that specializes in offering high-quality A/V work to small businesses at an affordable price.

My teaching philosophy is simple:  create quality, well-rounded persons through the advanced study of music.  Whether my students continue in music at a professional level is irrelevant; what matters most is that students learn to be creative, self-directed, motivated and capable of discovering and incorporating new ideas into their everyday lives.  Becoming life-long participants in the arts is the goal set for each student:  be it, as an active participant, or merely as a consumer of the arts!

Explore this site, use it as you will, and please feel free to offer feedback as to how it can be improved to better meet your needs.

-- Jon Donald