Drums, Guitar, Bass & Voice Instructor
Cooper “Strad” is a versatile and enthusiastic music instructor who teaches drums, guitar, bass, and voice. While he enjoys making music in many different ways, drums are his favorite, and his experience in marching band leadership, college ensembles, and teaching beginning musicians gives him a well-rounded perspective to share with his students.
Cooper loves helping students discover what excites them about music. He believes music has an incredible ability to communicate without words, connect people, and make us feel something deeply—and he wants students to experience that same joy and connection in their own musical journey.
Cooper believes students learn best when they're encouraged to explore music and discover what they genuinely enjoy. His goal is to create engaging lessons where students can build strong musical skills while developing their own interests, creativity, and confidence.
Whether a student is learning their first drum beat, picking up a guitar or bass, developing their voice, or discovering what it's like to perform with others, Cooper enjoys helping them celebrate progress and find their own musical passion.
What Families Can Expect
An enthusiastic, creative, and relatable instructor who encourages students to explore, have fun, build confidence, and discover the kind of music that inspires them to keep learning.
Cooper's musical background includes marching band leadership, college ensemble experience, performance, and teaching. His experience working with beginning musicians has helped shape an encouraging approach that focuses on giving students a strong start while keeping their excitement for music alive.
When he's not teaching or performing, Cooper enjoys technology, video games, and writing. He's inspired by musicians like Travis Barker of Blink-182 and especially enjoys “Adam's Song.” And if Cooper could choose any animal to take over behind the drum kit? An octopus, of course—with eight arms, imagine the possibilities!
His advice to parents reflects the heart behind his teaching: music is a gift for the brain and for life. It might sound a little loud or messy at first, but giving children the freedom and encouragement to play and explore can help create a lifelong love of music and learning.
Helping students explore, create, build confidence, and discover a lifelong passion for making music!