previous performers
Claus’ individual style is a mixture of stunning technical skills, ostinato-work, a wide variety of musical styles and open-handed playing – bridging the gap between “just drums” and real-world musical applications.
His educational packages OPEN-HANDED PLAYING VOL. I + II (released with Wizdom Media/Alfred Publishing; co-authored by Dom Famularo and with prefaces by Billy Cobham, Simon Philipps, Will Kennedy and Kenny Aronoff) gained worldwide recognition including a FOUR-STAR review in the “Modern Drummer” and have been nominated “Best Educational Book 2013”.
His book DAILY DRUMSET WORKOUT went to 3rd printing in less than a year from its original release – again being nominated “Best Educational Book” in the UK and with Modern Drummer Magazine. His double DVD DRUMMING KAIROS is one of the most comprehensive packages in drumset education, focussing on MOELLER TECHNIQUE.
His most recent publication CAMP DUTY UPDATE with credits from Steve Gadd, Steve Smith, John Wooton, Vic Firth or David Garibaldi covers the rich historic side of our drumming heritage in previously unknown dimensions. In 2016 Claus was also nominated “Best Educator | Clinician” with MODERN DRUMMER.
In Germany, Claus maintains a busy teaching schedule including the University for Music and Performing Arts in Frankfurt; he is also the first European drumset player to be honored with a DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR degree at KEIMYUNG UNIVERSITY in Daegu, South Korea and being announced DISTINGUISHED EXPERT at China’s oldest University SHANGHAI CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC. He is constantly contributing to the biggest European drum magazine.
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Claus Hessler
Besides being seen as “legitimate MOELLER TECHNIQUE successor” of Jim Chapin, Claus is mostly known for his unique OPEN-HANDED approach to drumset playing and has performed at numerous DRUM EVENTS across “planet drum”, sharing stage with players like Steve Smith, Alex Acuna, Walfredo Reyes Jr., JoJo Mayer, Johnny Rabb or percussion fame Luis Conte Claus has been performing in a variety of musical styles with bands/artists like the Grammy Award winning New York Voices, Barbara Dennerlein, Mike Stern, African Balafon great Mamadou Diabate, Sting’s Rhani Krija and Dominic Miller, Herb Ellis or Larry Coryell to his credit. Most recent musical activities include his work with FLUX: Run – Seven To Heaven
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Mikey Sorbello
Australian born drummer Mikey Sorbello truly convinces with his high energy playing, with a creative new approach while still paying tribute to drumming roots and simply huge distinctive sound.
Probably best known for his work with musical group the Graveltones as a ferocious hard hitting drum slayer he is also known for his softer side supporting a plethora of American and English based songstresses and Songwriters. No matter the genre Mikey displays the one crucial thing, Feel, "it's not what's played, it's how it's played".
With an unusual setup that pays tribute to the very earliest of drum sets Mikey has pushed forward whilst bringing the very roots of drumming with him.
"Mikey has a unique playing style which reflects his personality. I feel personality and individuality are very much needed in today's players. If you learn one thing from Mikey it will be how to find your own personality and style."
-Ash Soan-
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From the beginning Mikey set out to challenge what is normal and find a voice that embodies his influences from young and old which is why he is the first call for many blues and roots artists from all over the world. He currently performs Globally with the 360 Allstars alongside some of the world's most celebrated Beatboxers, Basketballers, BMX flatlanders and Break Dancers. Jesse Dayton (Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell)
Mostly focused creatively in the studio these days working with new artists creating their sounds, Mikey is building a bright career as a creative developer and co-writer.
Tom Corcoran
Tom Corcoran has been playing drums for over 25 years. He was the winner of Irish jazz futures award and received a scholarship as part of the international student program to study drums at LA Music academy. While in LA, Tom studied under Joe Porcaro, Ralph Humphries ,Mike Shapiro and Gary Hess.
Tom was very active doing workshops, teaching and doing drum clinics around Ireland from 2005 - 2008 before he left to live in the States.
In 2010 due to his father’s ill health and untimely death, Tom returned home to Ireland to take over the family farm and business, putting his own music career on the back burner.
Tom still managed to find time to play whenever he could. Playing with The Magic Carpet Trio, CSL Parker, The Ramos project, Adam Nolan trio and many more. His performance at the Galway Drum Show is only the beginning for Tom and we are sure he will come back with a bang.
Conor Guilfoyle
Conor Guilfoyle is one of Ireland’s foremost drummers and educators who has toured and recorded with some of the world’s finest jazz musicians. He currently teaches on the jazz programme in Dublin City University. His publications include:
Keeping the drummer occupied (LukaCon music)
Rhythmic Reading for Drummers (Schott music)
Performance Patterns (LuKaCon Music)
Odd Meter Clave (Schott Music)
Conor endorses Zildjian cymbals.
Alex Mey
Alex Mey [aka Alex Reis]
Musician / Producer / Songwriter
Sponsored by:
TAMA DRUMS, MURAT DIRIL CYMBALS, SNAREWEIGHT
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Alex Mey is a prolific producer and drummer, and a rising name in the international drumming scene, taking his creative and musical approach to drum grooves and innovative foot technique.
He started playing at the age of 14 and with only a few months of tutoring started performing and doing concerts. His passion and dedication showed from an early age and quickly found him getting called to play with more bands and artists, hitting the stages from the start. Since then Alex has played all over the place with various artists and bands, making some remarkable accomplishments early on
Winner ForumMusicCamp 2009, the national Best Musicians Under-18 Contest
Winner on the National Drummer Contest 2014
Alex’s journey through learning
was self-taught, be it alone at
home with drum-videos and
exercise books, which led to very
interesting paths of discovery
rather than repetition. Years later,
in order to further develop and
solidify his playing he attended
classes with renowned drummers
such as JP Bouvet, Miguel
Casais, Hugo Danin, and various
clinics and from house-hold
names such as Keith Carlock,
Anika Nilles, Russ Miller, Mike Johnston, Craig Blundell, Chris Johnson, Richard Spaven, and more, absorbing from each drummer what he liked the most about their unique approach, to then express into his own.
With his growing experience and discipline to achieve bigger and bigger goals, along with his creative drum videos, great communication and a growing international presence, he was invited to go on his first solo clinic tour in China, in partnership with Murat Diril Cymbals. During almost two weeks he travelled across Beijing, Nanjing, Bengbu, Nantong, Jianhu and Hangzhou) playing his own program with his favourite techniques, grooves and exercises for hundreds of students and a full two-day masterclass for teachers only. It included concepts on pursuing of new ideas and sounds around the kit, exploring the nuances of R&B and soul music with the energy of rock and pop, and Alex’s exciting new heel-toe technique for ultimate single pedal speed and multiple strokes.
This great opportunity was incredibly successful and led to be invited as Murat Diril Cymbals’ guest artist for the NAMM SHOW 2019, in Los Angeles, and, in the same year, to be guest performer at the enormous asian equivalent - MUSIC CHINA, on November 2019, in Shanghai.
His freelance drumming work, includes touring and live performances in Portugal and abroad with multi- platinum and award winning artists such as:
Pedro Abrunhosa, José Cid, Bárbara Bandeira, Bispo, Luís Represas, BIYA, ELEVNS (UK), Aurora, Lookalike, Enoque, Jos Eckert (UK) and many more.
Recently Alex has been perfecting his sound and recording techniques, also focusing on production and songwriting, taking on his solo career and writing for other artists, taking bigger and more exciting steps into the mainstream music scene.