BRENDON YATES
I’m originally from St. Louis, MO, and I’m a self-taught musician. My musical career started at the age of 13 with my high school band. I had no interest in joining, but my best friend didn’t want to join by himself - so we joined the percussion section.
During that time in the band, my love for music began to grow, and I taught myself how to read and understand music. I quickly became one of the top drummers in the band. My favorite part of playing percussion was being part of the marching band, specifically in regard to the aspect of rudimental drumming. I quickly became a marching percussion junkie, practicing for hours on developing my rudimental skills.
After graduating and having a strong appreciation for drum and bugle corps style marching, I spent the next 3 summers living out one of my dreams by playing in the Royalaires Drum & Bugle Corp, a local group from St. Louis. Following high school, I attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO, to study music education. Life then put me on a path toward marriage and a family, and we moved to Omaha, NE in 1996.
In 1999, with the love and support of my wife, I stepped out in faith and took my first job as a percussion instructor for Omaha Northwest High School. From there, I went on to teach at Papillion La Vista and Papillion La Vista South, as well as Thomas Jefferson in Council Bluffs, IA. During my years of teaching in various high schools, I realized that the students in the percussion section were lacking formal training and education; this turned my desire towards teaching one-on-one and providing private lessons to those who genuinely wanted to learn.
Because of this passion, I created the program Purecussion Music. I wanted to create a program that would cater to the needs of today’s elementary, junior high school, and senior high school percussionists; a program that gives special attention to the student that the band teacher couldn’t normally focus on, while also providing an affordable option in the area of private lessons.
Out of Purecussion Music, the award-winning Purecussion Music Winter Drumline was formed. This drumline competed in the local winter arts circuit, Heartland Winter Arts Assoc. (HWAA), as well as the international circuit, Winter Guard International (WGI).
My passion for music is a constant, driving force that leads me to teach those who have that same desire to learn. While my passion is for music and drumming, I am equally passionate about my family! I love my wife of 27 years, Cassandra, and my two children, BJ (who was my first student!) and Jazmyn.
My desire has always been: To enhance today’s percussionists with an understanding of their instrument and its limitations. To prepare each individual for any musical situation, while at the same time promoting discipline, determination, and confidence.
If you have a desire to learn percussion or want to grow in your understanding, I would love to work alongside you!
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