About Tim DeCillis
Tim DeCillis is a seasoned musician, educator, and composer, with experience in rock, pop and jazz drums, as well as classical percussion and a variety of world music styles. He was born and raised in Rochester, NY, where he began playing drums and guitar in garage bands with his friends, and eventually took up drum lessons. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in music performance from the State University of New York at Fredonia, where he studied classical percussion, jazz drum set and vibraphone, mallet music of Central America, and West African drumming. From there he went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he also worked as an instructor, teaching lecture courses and private lessons. Since relocating to Oakland in 2014, Tim has continued to play regularly with many bands and ensembles spanning various genres, such as the Nathan Clevenger Group, Rachel Lark and the Damaged Goods, and Catch Prichard. As a teacher, Tim strives to create a unique lesson plan based on each student’s individual goals and abilities. Areas such as reading, rhythm studies, time feel, and improvisation are stressed, while always seeking to maintain the passion and inspiration to keep students motivated and, most importantly, having fun!
