Cosmo School of Music Drum Teachers

Jared Gershon is a passionate and dedicated music educator with a deep love for teaching. He earned a master’s degree in music production from the prestigious Berklee College of Music and has since had the opportunity to work with Zubin Thakkar, a renowned musical director known for his ongoing work with pop star Shawn Mendes. These experiences have honed Jared's skills in music production, arrangement, and performance, which he now brings into his teaching practice.

At the Cosmo School of Music, Jared inspires students of all ages to discover their musical potential. He has a unique ability to connect with learners, fostering a supportive and engaging environment where students can thrive. Jared's teaching philosophy emphasizes creativity, technical proficiency, and a deep understanding of musical concepts.

In addition to his role as an educator, Jared has extensive experience directing and playing in live bands. He leads ensembles ranging from smooth jazz trios to lively 12-piece party bands and performs globally at over 100 gigs annually. His expertise in band direction allows him to create cohesive and exciting performances, which he uses to inspire his students and showcase their talents.

Jared’s commitment to education, combined with his extensive musical knowledge and professional approach, makes him a standout music teacher. His dedication to fostering a love of music in his students and his ability to create dynamic and engaging learning experiences leave a lasting impact on all who have the privilege of learning from him.

Craig Gaudaur started playing drums at the age of nine. Constantly tapping on everything with his hands, his parents decided to switch him from guitar to drums. With a pink sparkle 5-piece Coronet drum kit, his obsession with drums began. Eventually, he transitioned to a Pearl Export drum kit, aiming for a Neil Peart-sized setup, and consistently challenged himself to learn new styles and techniques. He had an incredible private lesson teacher named Kevin Ball, who guided him through his musical journey. Craig chose to audition for the prestigious Humber College School of Music Performance Program and, with Kevin's expert teachings, was one of the few fortunate students accepted into the program in 1991.

After Humber, Craig began playing in dozens of bands and became a drummer/percussionist in over 20 community theatre musical productions. He also worked as a DJ and MC, played in a 22-piece swing orchestra, an 11-piece funk band, and several wedding bands, continually exploring his love for performing and recording music. During this time, he met his wife, Jenn, in one of those musicals, where she was an actor and Craig was part of the orchestra pit. Together, they form a band called Advance to Guru, with two full-length records and two EPs to their credit. When Craig isn't teaching drums, he co-owns an online radio station with Jenn called Revolution Radio Canada, where he serves as a DJ, MC, content creator, and podcast host. He finds it impossible to stay away from music; even his hobbies revolve around it.

Craig is excited to be part of the faculty at the Cosmo School of Music. His teaching philosophy is simple: learn the drums at your own pace, have fun, and keep progressing. Let Craig know what you would love to achieve with this instrument, and he will work with you to make it happen. He looks forward to guiding you on your musical journey.

Alek Sekulovski has played, taught, and recorded drums for over 30 years. He holds a master's degree in jazz and pop drums, having studied under Ron Savage (Berklee College of Music) and Hristo Yotchov (SAM). He is also one of the founding members of the Jazz Academy at the University of Goce Delčev Stip in Macedonia.

In addition to his live and studio work, Alek maintains a busy teaching schedule with online lessons and educational sessions in his private studio, helping drum students around the globe. He has recorded over 90 albums and performed thousands of live shows, including television and theatre performances across the United States, Canada, Scotland, England, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Poland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Slovenia, Croatia, Germany, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Sweden, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands, France, and the United Arab Emirates.

Alek has appeared at major music festivals, including the Berlin Jazz Festival, Istanbul Jazz Festival, Skopje Jazz Festival, Sziget, Rio Loco, Barbican Art Festival, Rotterdam World Music Festival, Roma World Music Festival, and the BBC London 1 Radio show. Notable venues where he has performed include Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, Nublu, Blue Note, Live on the Park, Moods, Bourbon Street, Pizza Express, Jazz Bistro, Global, Le Belle Villoise, Quasimodo, BrotFabrik, Take Five, Bozar, and Le Cargo.

Throughout his career, Alek has collaborated with numerous contemporary artists, including Greg Hopkins, Toni Kitanovski, tuba jazz legend Bob Stewart, Vasil Hadzimanov, Gustavo Aguilar, the New Birth Brass Band, Hector Zazou, Frank London, Two Rooms Project, Vickie Van Dyke, Francesco Bearzatti, Teodosi Spassov, Kostas Theodorou, Davor & Voda, Zim Zum 4tet, Rob Tardik, The Freeman Brothers, DuffMusiq, Gyles, the Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra, Izzet Kizil, Project Zlust, Foltin, Ljubojna, Tanec, and many others.

Giles Jarvis recently moved to Canada from England, where he taught drums and music theory. He is a professional session drummer who has played and recorded with the technical progressive heavy metal band Mantora for the past decade. Giles studied at the Brighton Institute of Modern Music (BIMM) in the United Kingdom, graduating in 2008 after focusing on music theory and drumming across various genres. Currently, he performs with a function band called Boots of Hazard, as well as a Police cover band, Da POLICE.

With a wealth of knowledge and experience, Giles is passionate about teaching. He believes in a comprehensive music education, and his lessons are designed to prepare students not only for exams and music recitals but also to think independently behind the kit. He strives to keep learning enjoyable while developing both technique and understanding.

Antonio Iglesias has over 15 years of experience in live music and more than ten years of teaching piano and percussion. He draws upon his expertise to help students develop strong skill sets and explore opportunities beyond the classroom. With a Bachelor of Arts from the Conservatory of Music in Havana, Antonio utilizes his educational background to ignite his students' passion for music while fostering good habits.

With a high level of musical competence and professionalism, Antonio plans lessons and teaches theory based on students' individual goals, preparing them for performances and examinations. He is passionate about teaching instrumental techniques and dedicates time to evaluate student work, promoting growth. Antonio values both classical and contemporary music, focusing on essential concepts such as rhythm, tempo, and pitch. He believes that having fun is fundamental to learning.

Playing drums since the age of 12, Mark Oakley is active in performing and teaching various styles. In addition to teaching, Mark works as a live sound and recording engineer for events ranging from weddings and corporate functions to concerts and festivals. He also operates his own recording studio, where he has recorded numerous albums and composed music for commercials and modern dance performances.