Note-worthy Experiences Music Studio
F E A T U R E
Interview with Kevin Fortunato
F E A T U R E
Interview with Kevin Fortunato
When did you begin playing drum set, and why?
I was around 11 or 12 years old when I began playing drums. My older brother played bass and he had a band that practiced at our house every day. Since he didn’t want the gear crowding his room, he suggested that I allow the practices to happen in my room, so there was a drum set in my room as a result. Every day after their band practice ended I’d try to emulate what I saw and heard the drummer playing, and thus the journey began.
Who were your teachers?
Before attending, and graduating, Berklee College of Music I studied privately with Master Bob Gullotti for 5 years at his house once or twice a week. Bob taught all styles of music, technique, and coordination, from Jazz and Latin, to Classical, Rock, and Funk – it was all
covered. While at Berklee I studied with Bob Kaufman, Jon Hazilla, John Ramsay, Ian Froman, Dave Dicenso, Steve Wilkes, and Dave Weigert. Each teacher had their own style and method. None of them taught the same material, or in the same manner, so it was beneficial to receive
all the different styles and personalities.
When did you begin performing and teaching?
I was in high school when I began playing professionally. It was a few years after high school that I began teaching. For me, performing and teaching kind of went hand in hand. Because I could play on a high level, people began asking for lessons due to hearing me perform. At that time Bob Gullotti was my role model, so I ran lessons the way that he did, and students loved it. Thus my reputation grew, as did my student load. But equally important was how much I enjoyed passing on the knowledge and traditions.
What can students expect from you as a teacher and mentor?
Professionalism and consistency come to mind. I’m always on time, and I have an enormous catalog of material that I’ve gleaned from all the years as a student, a performer, and as a teacher. Students can expect a great sense of humor from me, as well as a patient and relaxed disposition. I believe one of my great strengths is that I’ve taught for so many years, and have seen so many different methods of learning something, that I usually have a suggestion on how to complete an assignment for every student regardless of their ability, knowledge, or insight.
Students can also expect me to have an open mind about their musical passions – I’ve helped students with every style of music from Jazz and Rock, to Reggae and Metal. They can also expect me to listen, intently, to what’s on their mind and in their hearts.
What do you like to do when you’re not teaching or performing?
I have a wonderful wife and daughter, so naturally family life is of the most importance to me. We’ve traveled extensively – we spend a great portion of our summers visiting her family in Taiwan. We’ve been to most Asian Countries, as well as several trips to Europe, Canada, and of
course all over the United States. Beyond family, food, and travel, I’m kind of an investment nerd – I spend hours each morning going over the happenings in the stock market, researching and planning my investment choices, and setting up my portfolio for success. It’s really fun
stuff.
To learn more about Kevin, visit his Teacher Page.
I was around 11 or 12 years old when I began playing drums. My older brother played bass and he had a band that practiced at our house every day. Since he didn’t want the gear crowding his room, he suggested that I allow the practices to happen in my room, so there was a drum set in my room as a result. Every day after their band practice ended I’d try to emulate what I saw and heard the drummer playing, and thus the journey began.
Who were your teachers?
Before attending, and graduating, Berklee College of Music I studied privately with Master Bob Gullotti for 5 years at his house once or twice a week. Bob taught all styles of music, technique, and coordination, from Jazz and Latin, to Classical, Rock, and Funk – it was all
covered. While at Berklee I studied with Bob Kaufman, Jon Hazilla, John Ramsay, Ian Froman, Dave Dicenso, Steve Wilkes, and Dave Weigert. Each teacher had their own style and method. None of them taught the same material, or in the same manner, so it was beneficial to receive
all the different styles and personalities.
When did you begin performing and teaching?
I was in high school when I began playing professionally. It was a few years after high school that I began teaching. For me, performing and teaching kind of went hand in hand. Because I could play on a high level, people began asking for lessons due to hearing me perform. At that time Bob Gullotti was my role model, so I ran lessons the way that he did, and students loved it. Thus my reputation grew, as did my student load. But equally important was how much I enjoyed passing on the knowledge and traditions.
What can students expect from you as a teacher and mentor?
Professionalism and consistency come to mind. I’m always on time, and I have an enormous catalog of material that I’ve gleaned from all the years as a student, a performer, and as a teacher. Students can expect a great sense of humor from me, as well as a patient and relaxed disposition. I believe one of my great strengths is that I’ve taught for so many years, and have seen so many different methods of learning something, that I usually have a suggestion on how to complete an assignment for every student regardless of their ability, knowledge, or insight.
Students can also expect me to have an open mind about their musical passions – I’ve helped students with every style of music from Jazz and Rock, to Reggae and Metal. They can also expect me to listen, intently, to what’s on their mind and in their hearts.
What do you like to do when you’re not teaching or performing?
I have a wonderful wife and daughter, so naturally family life is of the most importance to me. We’ve traveled extensively – we spend a great portion of our summers visiting her family in Taiwan. We’ve been to most Asian Countries, as well as several trips to Europe, Canada, and of
course all over the United States. Beyond family, food, and travel, I’m kind of an investment nerd – I spend hours each morning going over the happenings in the stock market, researching and planning my investment choices, and setting up my portfolio for success. It’s really fun
stuff.
To learn more about Kevin, visit his Teacher Page.