DAVID H. BOWN- NOT SO SHORT BIO -
David is the drum instructor and co-owner of Music Lessons Central. Established in 1997, lessons are offered for drums, guitar, bass, ukulele, mandolin, piano and vocals. While specializing in one-on-one private lessons, MLC also hosts recitals for students to share their talent and have the experience of performing in front of a live audience. Additionally, MLC has had a student band program that produced some student bands that were absolutely amazing and played a wide variety of venues around Southern California.
David has consistently had a busy roster of students of all ages, skill levels, ethnicities, and temperaments. His youngest student was only 2 years old! He has students from 5 years old and on up through retired seniors and over many years, includes some great people with blindness, autism, dyslexia, ADHD, bi-polar, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy.
As a drummer, one of David’s goals has always been to be well-rounded and able to function in a variety of musical settings and styles. As a drum teacher, his goal is to prepare his students for the same. He enjoys teaching his students how to read music, develop their coordination, music theory, sense of tempo and much more. Dave loves fostering his students’ growth as musicians and enjoys seeing (and hearing) them grow into people who have music in their hearts and who can do something that makes them feel good about themselves. Music and drumming are fun and if a person pursues it, and doesn’t give up, Dave has personally found music to be the foundation from which many good life skills and traits can be developed. These include patience, organizational skills, problem-solving skills, math, critical thinking, concentration, multitasking, memory, teamwork, following instructions, self-esteem, time management, perseverance and so much more. SO…if you’re looking for a drum teacher with a love for sharing the bountiful gifts of music, all the while having some fun, David has the dedication and experience you are looking for.
ADDITIONAL TEACHING AND PERFORMING
In the late 90’s for about three years, while teaching his private students Monday through Friday, David also taught drums to students at a school for children of the homeless. This was a great experience for the students AND their drum teacher. This project was funded through California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB) and Children’s Fund as a joint project. It was called M.U.S.I.C. (Music Uniting Students In Communities). It was a wonderful program that brought music in the form of drums/percussion, guitar, violin and piano to the kids in a classroom setting. There was some singing too! The students got to perform and the entire experience helped build some self-esteem and skills. For the school year of A/Y 1999-2000, David became the “Co-Project Director” of the program.
David worked as a drummer/teacher at the “National Guitar Summer Workshop” for two of their summer workshops. One was on the campus of USC and one was on the campus of Loyola Marymount University. As the name suggests, it’s really for guitar players but all those guitarists and bass players needed to be able to play with a band for nightly recitals/concerts. So, David was the on-site drummer to help facilitate all of their musical needs. There were a few drum students as well for him to teach but it was a guitar dominated workshop.
David has performed as a drummer/percussionist for musicals such as Godspell, Good News Scrooge, Rocky Horror Show, Seussical the Musical and more. He was the “Queen’s Drummer” in the “Queen’s Band” for 15 years at the biggest Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Southern California at Glen Helen Regional Park. Years ago, David played Hawaiian Luaus for several summers. He played for the Luau Band and then did Tahitian-style drumming for the Hula Girls and Fire Knife Dancers. For many years David has been a member of the Rheinlanders polka band performing at the Oktoberfest at the Pomona Fairplex in Pomona, CA, to massive, happy crowds on weekends in the month of October.
David is an “on-call” drummer. He has recorded in various professional studios for his own bands and/or other bands and for songwriters. He has drummed for original bands that have played with some well-known rock acts such as Blue Oyster Cult, Kansas, Lynch Mob, Armored Saint, Lizzy Borden, Helix, Missing Persons and more. In addition, David drummed at his church as a little boy, and later as a member of the Praise Band.
BACKGROUND
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
David was 9 years old and in 4th grade when he could take music and began playing drums. After becoming a member of his school band, he was chosen to be a member of the “All-City San Bernardino Elementary Honor Band.” JR. HIGH
Selected for the “Jr. High All-City All Star Jazz Band” and toured the city’s schools. Selected for the “All-City San Bernardino Jr. High Honor Band.” Auditioned and accepted for the “San Bernardino County Honor Band.” By this time, David was already a member of the San Bernardino Valley College Band under the direction of Paul L. Kardos. HIGH SCHOOL
Freshman:
Auditioned and accepted for the “All Southern California Honor Band.” After auditioning against upperclassmen, was selected to become the school’s jazz band drummer.
Sophomore:
Winner of the N.A.J.E. (National Association of Jazz Educators) “Outstanding Soloist” award at a music festival at San Bernardino Valley College. Auditioned with hundreds for only one available spot in the snare line and was accepted into Pasadena City College’s “Official Rose Parade Band.” A highlight in his young career. First paid gig: Hired as the drummer for the musical “Godspell” at UC Riverside (all others were adults).
Junior:
Became the drum-line captain of the marching band Auditioned and became a member of the Riverside City College “Marching Tigers.” The youngest member they had ever had. The Tigers were the #1 Jr. College Marching band in the United States (undefeated in field show competition).
Senior:
Paid drum-line instructor at 3 different schools: Sequoia Jr. High in Fontana Perris High School Centennial High School in Corona Attended regular classes at his high school, worked at Round Table Pizza, and drummed in a heavy metal band called Reign. Toured Japan with the RCC marching band where the Tiger’s represented the United States at the “All Japan Marching Band Competition.”
COLLEGE
Became a student at Riverside City College. Traveled to Honolulu with the “Marching Tigers” where they were part of the Aloha Festival celebration and parade. Already having all of his music credits, he enrolled at San Bernardino Valley College and obtained his Associates Degree, where his favorite class was nutrition. After working at Lier’s Music in San Bernardino for 9 years until it closed, while in his twenties David and a partner opened Music Lessons Central.
PLACES PERFORMED
The Budokan (Japan); Sports Arena in Chiba (Japan); Sports Arena in Sendai (Japan); Tokyo Disneyland (Japan); a school for special needs kids (Japan); LA Sports Arena (Los Angeles, CA); Charger Stadium (San Diego, CA); Anaheim Stadium AKA Angels Stadium (Anaheim, CA); Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles, CA); Anaheim Convention Center (Anaheim, CA); Los Angeles County Fair (Pomona, CA); Kamehameha High School (Honolulu, HI); Moose McGillycuddy’s (Lahaina, HI); Ala Moana Shopping Center (Honolulu, HI); The Roxy (Hollywood, CA); Arrowhead Stadium AKA San Manuel Stadium (San Bernardino, CA); Snow Summit (Big Bear, CA); Comedian/Actor Cheech Marin’s house (Malibu, CA); USC (Los Angeles, CA); Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles, CA); Disneyland (Anaheim, CA); Getty Center (Los Angeles, CA); LA County Arboretum (Los Angeles, CA); Hollywood Christmas Parade (Hollywood, CA); Sylvan Park (Redlands, CA); Fiscalini Field (San Bernardino, CA); Ojai Beverage Co. (Ojai, CA); Los Angeles Country Club (Los Angeles, CA); Via Verde Country Club (Covina, CA); Arrowhead Country Club (San Bernardino, CA); Jurupa Hills Country Club (Riverside, CA); Yucaipa Country Club (Yucaipa, CA); Redlands Country Club (Redlands, CA); Esplanade Park (Jurupa Valley, CA); National Orange Show Grounds (San Bernardino, CA); Yucaipa Performing Arts Center (Yucaipa, CA); Macy’s-Victoria Gardens (Ontario, CA); Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Patch (Redlands, CA); Mill Creek Cattle Co. (Mentone, CA); Whiskey Creek (Redlands, CA); Lake Alice Trading Company (Riverside, CA); Riverside Brewing Co. (Riverside, CA); Lake Arrowhead Village (Lake Arrowhead, CA); Chad’s Place (Big Bear, CA); The Phoenix Club (Anaheim, CA); Angels Roadhouse (Yucaipa, CA); Angels Roadhouse II (Apple Valley, CA); Angels Roadhouse (Riverside, CA); Morningside of Fullerton (Fullerton, CA); Glen Helen Regional Park (Glen Helen, CA); Landis Auditorium (Riverside, CA); Long Beach VA Hospital (Long Beach, CA); Strawberry Farms (Irvine, CA); Tobacco Lounge (Riverside, CA); various Elks Lodges in the area, and many, many, many more.