Many drum students credit the instructors for not only engaging them in the learning process, but also for knocking down barriers that might otherwise inhibit them from realizing their potential. I kinda screwed myself up because I expected to bust out all kinds of fills, and I got disillusioned with what I thought wasn't happening. The staff is so good, you feel like the worst drummer when you first get here. They find out where your weak points are and they work to build you up where you need it most. Knudtson chuckles lightly, explaining later that there's at least some truth to Clemen's theory.
People are ready for the creative elements at different points in their education.
An environment like this can be pretty scary. But I want my staff to be very nurturing. Some people come in here without ever having played in front of anybody. So after someone plays, everybody claps, regardless of how well that performance goes. Not at all.