Today we’d like to introduce you to Luke Woodle
Hi Luke, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a musical family and was encouraged to play the drums at the age of 9. It was a great outlet to channel my passion for Guitar Hero and a more realistic goal to become a professional musician rather than join the NBA. I played drumset through middle school and high school and got to travel for many amazing performances. Afterwards I snuck my way into the University of Southern California to study music in Los Angeles, where I studied with Peter Erskine, Aaron Serfaty, Ndugu Chancler, Will Kennedy, Bob Mintzer, Vince Mendoza, and Russ Ferrante. I went on to do my masters degree there as a teaching assistant to Erskine where I taught drumset classes to music majors, music minors, PhD students, and everyone in between. I finished my degree remotely when the pandemic hit, and eventually moved to Nashville with my (now) wife and have lived here for almost 3 years.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was a challenge moving to Nashville where we didn’t know anyone. But the people here are generous and open-minded so it didn’t take long to find other musicians and artists. The biggest struggle was probably when we got our dog, Dizzy, as a puppy. Nothing in life can prepare you for taking care of a puppy.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a drummer, educator, and composer. I teach a private roster of students in-person and online, and play a steady gig 3 times per week at Skulls Rainbow Room in Printer’s Alley. I usually place another 2 to 3 nights a week, so between live performance, teaching, and recording I stay busy. Many people know me as a “jazz drummer” but I pride myself in being a very diverse musician with abilities to give the drums a good smash when needed. I play regularly with musicians in pop, rock, R&B, country, worship, and everything in between. Nashville is a good place for that kind of musician.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
One of my favorite childhood memories are the times we would visit Japan to see my mother’s side of the family. I would help them farm crops and they would pay me in video games – a fair exchange for a young boy with a PS2.
Pricing:
- Lessons – $75/hr or $50/half hr. In-person and online!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Lukewoodle.com
- Instagram: @luke_woodle
- Youtube: @LukeWoodleMusic
