Students looking for private drum lessons in East York can study with Graham C. at Elite Music Academy’s 2069 Danforth Ave location, near Woodbine Station. This Danforth East studio is convenient for families coming from East York, Danforth Village, Woodbine, and nearby Toronto neighbourhoods.
The studio is easily accessible by TTC, with Woodbine Station close by and nearby street parking available for families driving to lessons. This makes the location practical for children, teens, and adults who need a consistent weekly lesson time without travelling across the city.
Our 2069 Danforth Ave location also serves students from surrounding east-end communities, including Woodbine-Lumsden, Woodbine Heights, Upper Beaches, The Beaches, and East Danforth. For families in Toronto’s east end, this location offers a convenient option for private drum lessons close to home.
Hello! My name is Graham, and I am currently completing my degree in Jazz Performance at the University of Toronto, specializing in drum set. My musical background has helped me develop a strong foundation in rhythm, musicality, listening, and performance. I aim to create lessons that are engaging, structured, and tailored to each student’s individual goals and experience level.
I have studied with respected musicians including Ethan Ardelli and Ernesto Cervini, and have performed in ensembles led by Kelly Jefferson, Jim Lewis, and John Macleod. As an active performer, I regularly play at venues such as The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar, Jazz Bistro, and Emmet Ray, and have also performed at festivals including the Markham Jazz Festival and the Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival.
While my foundation is rooted in jazz, my playing and teaching experience extends across multiple styles including rock, funk, and contemporary music. Drawing inspiration from drummers such as Philly Joe Jones, Billy Higgins, and Bill Stewart, I help students develop strong timing, coordination, groove, and musical awareness that can be applied across many musical settings.
As a teacher, I focus on helping students connect technical development with real musical application. Whether a student is just beginning, preparing for performances, or looking to grow as a drummer, my goal is to make lessons enjoyable, practical, and meaningful. I work with students of all levels and adapt lessons to suit each student’s learning style, interests, and goals.
Because of his strong background in jazz performance, live playing, and musical development, we feel that Graham is a strong fit for a wide range of drum students, including kids, teens, and adults learning at beginner to advanced levels. Students looking to build strong rhythm, coordination, technique, and musical awareness will benefit from Graham’s thoughtful and engaging teaching approach.
Graham is especially well suited for students who want to build a strong technical foundation while developing musical creativity and confidence behind the drum set. His ability to connect technical exercises to real musical situations helps students better understand not only what to practice, but how those skills apply in actual music.
If this sounds like the type of learning environment you are interested in, and if you are looking for private drum lessons in East York or nearby Toronto neighbourhoods, we strongly encourage you to book an introductory lesson with Graham. His combination of performance experience, strong musical training, and thoughtful teaching approach makes him an excellent fit for students looking for drum lessons that are both structured and engaging.
Prior to committing to ongoing lessons, we encourage students and parents to begin with an introductory lesson so they can meet the teacher, discuss goals, and assess the student’s current level. During this first lesson, Graham can also recommend lesson frequency, lesson length, and areas of focus moving forward.
To continue after your introductory lesson—or if you have any questions—please contact our scheduling team at [email protected]. Our team will be happy to assist you with lesson scheduling and availability.
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For students interested in expanding beyond private drum lessons in East York, our group programs can be an excellent complement to one-on-one training depending on the student’s age, experience, and goals. Adult students may enjoy programs such as Adult Jam Sessions (18–35) and Adult Jam Sessions (35+), where musicians develop ensemble skills and gain real band experience in a supportive environment.
Younger students may benefit from programs such as Band Rock Pop & More, where they learn how to rehearse, collaborate, and perform with other musicians. During the summer months, students can also participate in our Summer Camps and seasonal band programs, which provide additional performance opportunities and hands-on musical experiences.
These programs give students valuable opportunities to apply what they learn in lessons in real musical settings, build confidence, enjoy the collaborative side of music, and make new friends.
Have questions about lessons, scheduling, locations, or finding the right teacher? You can explore private drum lessons in East York, browse all of our available teachers, and discover additional lesson options across Toronto and the GTA.
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July 8-12
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July 15-19
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July 22-26
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Piano/Keys spot (3 spots left out of 4): Click here.
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Aug 12-16
Sax violin spot (2 spots left out of 2): Click here.
Drum spot (0 spots left out of 3): Click here.
Guitar spot (8 spots left out of 8): Click here.
Bass guitar spot (3 spots left out of 3): Click here.
Piano/Keys spot (2 spots left out of 4): Click here.
Singer spot (3 spots left out of 4): Click here.
March break camp: Click here.
July 8-12
Sax violin spot: Click here.
Drum spot: Click here.
Guitar spot: Click here.
Bass guitar spot: Click here.
Piano/Keys spot: Click here.
Singer spot: Click here.
July 15-19
Sax violin spot: Click here.
Drum spot: Click here.
Guitar spot: Click here.
Bass guitar spot: Click here.
Piano/Keys spot: Click here.
Singer spot: Click here.
July 22-26
Sax violin spot: Click here.
Drum spot: Click here.
Guitar spot: Click here.
Bass guitar spot: Click here.
Piano/Keys spot: Click here.
Singer spot: Click here.
Aug 12-16
Sax violin spot: Click here.
Drum spot: Click here.
Guitar spot: Click here.
Bass guitar spot: Click here.
Piano/Keys spot: Click here.
Singer spot: Click here.