Contact: 757-676-6244

Email: curiousarts@gmail.com

With over 25 years of experience, Andrew Payne can take you from your first pair of sticks to your first professional tour. Andrew studied music in the Virginia Beach school system until he graduated in 1988. During that time he exceeded in every musical opportunity available to him including marching band, concert band, All City Jazz Ensemble and more, winning numerous awards and leadership roles along the way. Andrew then attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA earning two scholarship awards: the Professional Music Scholarship and the Buddy Rich Scholarship. In 1997, Andrew won the drum set position with CCM recording artist Rebecca St. James and was quickly promoted to Music Director for her various tours. In 2000 he hit the road with former Stryper front man Michael Sweet before signing on as a solo performer/opening act for Andre Kole’s World of Illusion tour. Currently, Andrew is the primary recording drummer for Soundmark Studios and holds product endorsements from several manufacturer’s including Pro-Mark Drumsticks.

Regarding his passion for teaching, Andrew says, “I love teaching. There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing a student progress from their first lesson to their first concert. Whether it’s a young person who discovers the benefits of achieving goals for the first time or an adult who realizes that they’re not ‘too old’ to become a great player, seeing a student succeed is a wonderful experience.”

Areas of study include various music styles, advanced coordination & ostinatos, double bass, odd times/polyrhythms and electronic percussion.