Teacher Profile: Ben Tufts

About Ben Tufts

Ben Tufts has played over six hundred shows in the past four years, with over sixty bands and artists, covering most of the continental U.S. 2017 marks his eighteenth year teaching orchestral percussion, drum-set, piano, and electric bass in the DC metro area. A self-described musical omnivore, Tufts's holistic approach to teaching has evolved directly from his 25+ years of wide-ranging experience playing classical, jazz, rock, metal, punk, latin, folk and theatre.

Ben holds a Bachelor’s in Music Education from Longwood University, and a Masters in Music Performance from the University of Maryland. He studied for several years with Steve Fidyk of the Army Blues, and has taken lessons with Joe Morello and Jim Chapin. He accepts students of all ages and levels. His students have been accepted to programs of study at Berklee, Peabody Conservatory, Shenandoah Conservatory, Belmont University, George Mason University, James Madision University and more. He has been on the percussion faculty at the Franklin Band and Orchestra Camp for ten years, and coaches youth rock bands during the summer.

Ben’s teaching philosophy balances fundamentals and fun—to make sure the student builds a strong skill set within the context of the music they love. Most importantly, he believes that the best teacher teaches a student how to teach themselves, and demonstrates why a love for music is a lifetime gift we give ourselves.