Michael Faeth

Drum Set Instructor

Michael lives in Fresno, CA, where he was raised and first began playing the drums over three decades ago. He has had the pleasure of playing with many different bands and appearing on several full length albums, as well as a 7” single released on Sub Pop. He has performed on stages across the USA and in Canada and England, including the CMJ Music Festival in New York, NY, the Bumbershoots Arts Festival in Seattle, WA, and All Tomorrow’s Parties in East Sussex, England.

Michael is the author of the beginning drum book "On The Drums". He has released recordings of his own, including My Brother’s Equations in 2022, and has an official artist channel on YouTube devoted to his music and drumming.

Josh Ompad

Drum Set & Marching Percussion Instructor

Josh began his musical journey playing piano at 4 years old before switching to percussion in 7th grade.  He played concert and marching percussion throughout HS and after graduating from Buchanan HS in 2007, was brought back the following season to teach the drumline.  Josh went on to drum at Fresno State in the Bulldog Marching Band, as part of the snare line from 2009-2013. (GO DOGS!)

Over the last 15 years, Josh has taught at a number of schools here in the Central Valley including: Alta Sierra Intermediate, Buchanan HS, McClane HS, Mission Oak HS, Pixley MS, and Beyer HS.  Currently, Josh coaches the drumline with his wife, Ariell, at Firebaugh HS and MS.  He is also the percussion caption head for Edison HS. 

Music has always been a driving force in Josh’s life.  Passionate about music and enthusiastic about percussion, he was always drawn to marching percussion in particular for its demand and required discipline. Josh coaches with a ‘mindset-first’ approach and always encourages a competitive edge.  His favorite sports are Winter Percussion, Basketball, and Football.  In that order. 

Why teach percussion? It’s his way of giving back to an art that has shaped his entire life.

Stan Schaffer

Drum Set Instructor 

Stan is a 40-year veteran of the Fresno music scene. He received his music performance degree from Fresno State, and studied drum set with local legend Brian Hamada. He has played orchestrally with the Fresno Philharmonic and for touring acts passing through such as Ice Capades, Eartha Kitt, Phyllis Diller.

His local projects include Beatles tribute The Beetles, Jeremy “Elvis” Pearce, and the Memphis Sons. Stan works at remaining a versatile drummer/vocalist, and is an on-call player for numerous styles!

He has co-written and recorded with the group Poplord (iTunes/Spotify), and has enjoyed teaching drums for over a decade!

Miles Hernandez

Drum Set & Marching Instructor / Guitar Hero

Miles started playing drums at 10 years old all because of Guitar Hero. After playing the drums on the game he played a real kit at a music store and the rest was history.

He did Marching and Concert percussion through middle and high school at Clovis East High. Also jazz ensemble and Jazz combos from middle school to Fresno City College. During his progression, he's been a part of many musical acts including; Monsanto (Latin/funk) TOMA! (Latin/funk) Perception (Metalcore) Farooq (Hardcore) A Better Way (Pop Punk) Cornerstone Church (contemporary worship) and Selma Arts (Musical Theater). Playing everything and excelling at all styles is what Miles strives for.

Roman Rivera

Drum Set / Marching / Percussion Instructor

Roman, inspired by his Father and Uncle who play drums, started playing at the age of 8. He found his passion for marching percussion in 6th grade, which he has been focusing on for 8 years now.

He played percussion in the Buchanan High wind ensemble, Drum set in the jazz band, and was section leader of the Buchanan High drum line. He went further by taking two Drum Corps International tours playing snare drum with Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets.

He graduated from Buchanan High in 2016, and was hired back after to teach the drum line. He has also taught Valley Thunder Youth Drum line along side Donny Marvin for 3 years, and has composed many pieces of battery percussion music of all skill levels.

He uses Pearl and Yamaha Marching drums, Remo Heads, and Innovative Percussion Drumsticks.

Jim Chaffin

Drum Set Instructor / Minnesota Vikings Fan

Born in Madera, Jim began playing at the age of 12. In high school, he joined with some friends and formed the influential Christian punk/thrash group The Crucified.

Jim has extensive recording and live performance experience since the early 90's with groups such as The Blamed, Left Out, Final Threat, Uthanda, Fasedown, Deliverance, Once Dead, Living Sacrifice, Mortal, The Prayer Chain, Grave Robber, and Michael Knott.

He currently plays with local cover groups Sarge Loda and Hired Gun; as well as in his church's worship band. Punk, Metal, Thrash, Rock, Worship or Country, Jim has played it and lived it.

Paul Flores

Drum Set Instructor / Pittsburg Steelers Fan

Since the age of 9, Paul has been playing drums and percussion. His influences include John "Bonzo" Bonham, Alex Van Halen, Mitch Mitchell, Troy Lucketta, Todd Sucherman, Will Calhoun, Sheila E., Billy Cobham and Danny Carey.

Throughout his years, he has played in many numerous original, cover, & tribute bands, but his main passion is teaching drums.

Paul plays Ludwig Drums, Paiste Cymbals, DW Hardware, and Vater Drumsticks. Born in Fresno, raised in Lindsay and just recently moved back to the Central Valley.

Ethan Foster

Drum Set Instructor / Recording Enthusiast

Ethan has been drumming since the age of 9. He loves all kinds of percussion from various cultures, including marching drums, but is truly himself when he's on a set grooving to some Stevie Wonder or Modest Mouse.

You can see Ethan perform locally in various musical theater productions, with several of Fresno City College's ensembles, or in his other musical projects, ranging from groups Zoo Pigeons, Old Dogs/Young Children, and several other projects.

Ethan runs a home studio where he writes and records music as often as he can.

He plays Noble & Cooley Drums, DW Hardware, Meinl Cymbals, Remo Drumheads and swears by Meinl Drumsticks. His favorite drummers are JP Bouvet and Jason McGerr. 

Aaron Wall

Drum Set & Percussion Instructor / Gentleman / The One And Only MC Awall

Aaron has been playing drums and latin percussion for over 15 years and has been teaching for 12 years. He played percussion in the Warner-Brothers movie "Torque" (2004). In 2003 he co-wrote the main title song for the Warner Brothers film "The Adventures of Pluto Nash", starring Eddie Murphy. He also composed / performed an original score for the film "The Next Grand Scheme" (2004). Aaron has played in jazz / salsa groups at Fresno State and Fresno City College. He is currently the band leader of the group 40 Watt Hype.