About Craig Hetrick
Craig Hetrick is a highly experienced performer and teacher of all things drums and percussion. He has been the Assistant Principal Timpanist and Percussionist with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for over thirty years, an Adjunct Professor of Percussion at Butler University for twenty-five years, and a private teacher for some forty years. In addition, he was a protege of Jim Chapin and specializes in drum set, teaching all styles from jazz and chart reading to Top 40, country, and rock and roll.
Teaching Philosophy
Craig believes that every student is an individual and needs special attention and care to advance at their own pace.
Over Forty Years of Experience
As a Professional Performer & Teacher
Craig Hetrick is the Assistant Principal Timpanist and Percussionist with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and has toured the United States as a drummer with Perry Como, Johnny Mathis, and Bob Hope. He is also an experienced teacher with over forty years of teaching private students, including at Butler and Indiana Universities. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Delaware and a Master of Music degree from Indiana University.
Craig has taught students ranging in age from 10 to 60 and in skill level from beginners to advanced students and professionals preparing for collegiate or professional auditions. While he’s always happy to teach students at any level who want to learn the drums for any reason, many of his advanced students have been accepted at prestigious music schools throughout the country and/or have gone on to professional careers in orchestras, military bands, as drum set players and as school and private teachers as well.
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Curriculum
Craig teaches from a number of classic drum and percussion texts, as well as many pages of his own exercises. The curriculum is customized for each student to meet their skill level and learning style.
Teaching Success
Former students have won auditions for jobs in The Minnesota Orchestra, The President's Own Marine Band, The San Diego Symphony Orchestra, The Tucson Symphony Orchestra, The Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, The Omaha Symphony Orchestra, The USAF Heritage of America Band, The United States Navy Band, and The 8th Army Band in South Korea, among others.
Current and former students have been accepted as undergraduate or graduate students at prestigious music schools, including The Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, The Cleveland Institute of Music, Rice University, Carnegie Mellon University, The Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Temple University, Cleveland State University, DePaul University, Butler University, Berklee College of Music, and Belmont University. Students have been accepted at summer festivals such as the Tanglewood Institute and Eastern Music Festival.
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Contact
Ready to book your first lesson? Just looking for more information? Feel free to reach out!
Northeast Indianapolis, IN
FAQ
Do I have to own drums to take lessons?
Not necessarily. Of course, having drums or access to drums to practice between lessons can help you learn more quickly, but for in-person lessons you will play on Craig's drums. It is highly recommended to at least have a drum pad to practice on, but it's not necessary to begin lessons.
*Note that for virtual lessons, you will need access to drums of some sort or at least a drum pad.
What should I expect during my first lesson? Do I need to prepare anything?
Please come to your first lesson prepared to discuss your interests (in terms of instruments, styles, etc) and goals for these lessons. Craig's lessons are individually tailored to each student to provide the best instruction possible, so it's important to understand what you're looking for.
What instruments and styles can I learn in lessons with Craig?
Craig is a well-versed percussionist who actively performs and teaches drum set and percussion (timpani, marimba, rudimental and concert snare drum, xylophone, and hand percussion). He teaches all styles of drum set performance, from jazz and chart reading to Top 40, country, and rock and roll.
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any additional questions!