"I studied with two teachers in my drumming life before starting with Max. Simply put, he is an extraordinary teacher!

I had always struggled with my reading, but with Max's teaching style and support, I made more progress in weeks than I had in years.
But it was not just about reading chops. Max has a way of analyzing problem areas in my playing and developing exercises that target those areas and build my skills quickly.  Additionally, when I need to work out a part for a song I needed to learn for a gig or just a style I wanted to improve on, Max's ability to break things down to "teachable" bites, helped tremendously.
Max is a great guy to study with and an amazing drummer in his own right.  His feel, his chops and his understanding of drumming are second to none."

-Mark S.

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"If you want your child to follow through on something, you need to find a great teacher. Well look no further .  Max has a gentle touch, a great personality, & his enthusiasm toward his craft is contagious. My son has been taking lessons with Max for almost 2 years!  He is always ready to take the drive and up for the lesson.  There are closer alternatives , actually a drum center about 2 min from my house but the commute is well worth it. Max is committed to helping kids become better drummers and its a beautiful thing."

-Fritz S.

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"Max is a wonderful person, teacher and professional.  He worked with my two son's at the Nyack location for a year.  Both of my sons were excited to see him and learn to play the drums.  He has an easy going personality and really bonded with my boys.  I would highly recommend him to anyone at any age."

-Grace B.

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"Since i was in elementary school i've started playing music and percussion specifica"lly. In all these years I've had many teachers come and go who taught well, but not like Mr. Max. Through my lessons with Mr. Max I have seen a huge improvement with both my drumming skills and performance presentation. I can tell he is very passionate, very patient, and overall the best percussion I've ever had. He makes every minute of rehearsal fun and helpful. And he always finds some way to help you no matter what area you struggle in. I would definitely recommend Mr.Max to any music enthusiast!"

-Sebastian M.

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"Max is the man.  
I've been studying drums with him for a couple of months now and already I'm able to play things I never thought possible for myself.  I've been playing self-taught for 13 years now, and with terrible technique, so Max had me start from the basics, which was something I had previously never wanted to do.  Max presented these basic concepts (stick control, thinking about grip, dynamics) in a way that made me actually want to learn them and made me see how I could immediately apply them to my current playing.  Now I'm reading music again, increasing my rhythmic vocabulary, playing jazz (what?!?!), learning challenging solos, and the rock/hip hop stuff I've been playing for years suddenly sounds better!  
In a very short time Max's teaching has brought my playing to another level.  
Plus, he plays drums for one of the coolest bands in NYC, Midnight Magic."

-Will W

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“I hired Max Goldman to be a counselor, jazz drummer and teacher, for (Montclair State University affiliated) Stokes Forest Music Camp at the New Jersey School of Conservation, Branchville, NJ in 2007.  He was a perfect fit for the camp.  He worked with the jazz instructor and students throughout the two week experience.  I observed him teaching lessons, participating in the counselors’ recital and helping the drum students during jam sessions and classes.  I remember speaking to him about how much I enjoyed his tasteful and subtle playing.  Based on his total performance, I asked him to teach the following year.  I highly recommend Max.”

Sincerely,
Lou Kosma
Music Director and Orchestra Conductor
Stokes Forest Music Camp
Member of Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

 

“Max Goldman performed in the Danny Fox Trio last year at UMA. Their clinic was thorough, interesting and informative relating to their original music, and included an instructive, accessible analysis of some of the pieces they would be playing. The students and faculty who attended this clinic were treated to many insights large and small about the compositional process in current jazz, and what strategies are necessary to create meaningful improvisational concepts.

I was also impressed with their satisfying evening performance, which gave further proof of the graceful virtuosity of the trio and the refreshing take they have on current jazz performance practices. I recommend them highly.”

Steve Grover
Music instructor
University of Maine At Augusta Jazz and Contemporary Music Program

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“Max was superb as a clinician.  In addition to his impeccable and highly artistic musicianship, he was clear, friendly and informative in his demonstrations and responses to student questions.”

Richard Nelson, DMA.
Associate Professor of Music
University of Maine at Augusta.

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