Krakatoa - Testimonials of the Instructor,
Techniques Class, Drum Circle,
and Song-Building Class & Community Band
Playing and singing with Krakatoa gives me a supportive, creative outlet for my love of music. Mike Burris is an enthusiastic and inspiring teacher who is constantly developing new ideas for improving our group and increasing the variety of our drumming experiences.
Best of all, Krakatoa is not just a group of musicians, but a community of friends, and our performances are a blast! - Donna B.
Being new to drumming we weren't sure what to expect when we ventured out to our first practice session at "Mike's Place." Mike however, is so successful at integrating beginners that we immediately felt a part of the group!
We've even been a part of Krakatoa's recent gigs! Great fun! Wonderful people! - Sandy & John R.
Being a part of Krakatoa is lots of fun and a great outlet. It keeps us inspired and active, and I guess we're appreciated because our performance turnout is great. It's fun to share in our community and support the creative efforts at Studio Connections. It gives us all something to look forward to.
It allows us to thank Mike Burris, our Instructor and friend for his time, effort and creative inspriration.
Kindly, Betty L W-S.
I had always wanted to play drums and a couple of years ago I was at a party where a band was playing. The drummer allowed me to play on his drums and I was hooked. I decided to run away and join a rock & roll band, but saw this as impractical. I found Mike Burris and joined his group and have been playing for about a year and have performed 4 times. It's great fun!! You learn a lot about music, not just drums but also percussion instruments. The whole idea is to make you comfortable in any musical setting so you can "jam" with the best.
Mike's a great teacher and I highly recommend him for your drumming needs.
Sincerely, "Breeze" Louise C.
As a professional musician I am always looking for ways to improve in my musicianship. Krakatoa is not only a fun way to learn musical concepts, but there is a sense of "extended family" amongst the group. Playing drums & percussion puts the people in the group into the same groove...connecting with one another through the heartbeat of the music.
Sincerely, Amber G.
Krakatoa has been an incredible musical experience for me. Mike Burris' high energy and artistic aptitude are incomparable. The comfortable and innovative environment of the group easily blends the novice with advanced musician. Come join our experience of the Krakatoa explosion.
Sally S.
I've been drumming with Krakatoa for over a year and it's been a great experience. Mike, our Instructor, is a talented drummer & percussionist and his teaching method makes learning fun. The Krakatoa members are the best - kind, encouraging, and a lot of fun. I've been around musicians most of my life and never thoutht I would play with them. But here I am in a band, drumming at drum circles, and jamming with my friends.
Thanks Mike for sharing your love of drumming & percussion with us. Your dedication and endless enthusiasm is an inspiration to us all.
Robyn B.
Coming from an instrumental background of only ever watching as opposed to playing, if you would have asked me only 6 months ago if I would consider playing in a band, I would have laughed - a lot. "Introverted, shy, cowardly" are words that usually described the performance side of my personality, that is apparently until you put a drum in front of me and show me how to play. Now, if you come to one of our Shows, you cannot miss me. I am the one with the biggest drum, wailing away with a big Cheshire-cat grin on my face. What an experience!
The Krakatoa Song-Building Class & Community Band is awesome, a family atmostphere with emphasis on putting on a great Show, while maximizing our enjoyment - this is how I would describe it. Our Instructor is great, showing you the techniques, being patient while you get the hang of it, encouraging your creativity, cheering you on the way, but there to reel you back in and get back on track if you go off on one.
I am so glad I overcame my insecurities, and gave it a go. No looking back now! Lloydie.
I love playing percussion instruments and this is exactly what I was looking for. I have a lot of fun and the people that are involved are great. I am learning a lot and I enjoy playing all the different instruments that are available. The website is great and very helpful. Michael is very enthusiastic.
Kindly, Gabriel V.
Just want to communicate that I loved Krakatoa last night. It is amazing how you took a beginner like me and incorporated me into the class like I was a regular! I was amazed and jazzed that I had an opportunity to jam for the first time in my life. It was a dream come true for me and I want to say THANK YOU!
It sure helps when you get that rocking back & forth motion going that you teach! I listened to the radio this morning on the way to work and could hear so much more going on than I ever have. It was fun paying attention to the Build-ups and recognizing the different Skill-Sets you teach. Bringing my unconscious mind to unfold into musical consciousness is quite an awakening!
Your class is fabulous and I'm loving it. I have never had as much fun musically as I have in your class. It helps that you are an awesome teacher, fun, and have great energy.
Blessings to you! Tracey C.
I have been attending the Krakatoa Monday night Classes for only 3 months to date and am really enjoying myself. I have had no other instrumental training since my school days and never expected to be playing drums, cowbells, rasps, etc. at this point of my life! The other Classmates have made me feel like a real part of them and are great fun to play with.
Our Instructor, Mike is a saint to put up with the ignorance of a beginner such as myself and to believe that I could actually achieve sufficient skill to play with the Community Band in their Shows. The training adapts to suit the needs of the students (see the new Techniques Class on Monday evenings!), explaining and demonstrating in a way we can all understand. This website has a wealth of information and FREE ONLINE Videos so we can practice at home, which is a great advantage to many of us. Also, the Instructor's obvious love of drumming carries us along with his own enthusiasm.
Everyone enjoys playing their chosen instruments so the atmosphere at the Shows is electric, especially when everyone gets into a "groove!" There are so many smiling faces in the Community Band as well as the audience, with a lot of foot-tapping going on!
Thanks for the support, Pat K.