As parents of a drummer, we have found Mike’s Drum Shop to be the best experience for our son as well as our family. George Pendergast, who is now the owner of Mike’s Drum Shop, graciously helps guide us through this world of drumming. He not only teaches many different styles of drumming, brings in clinicians, organizes events and is intimately involved in the drumming community but he is always enthusiastic, encouraging and inspiring. George is a rare combination of talent and humility, never wavering in his steady approach to life, and that serves our children well.

All of the instructors at Mike’s Drum Shop have a genuine interest in the success of their students. It is a tight group and all support one another. The Shop supports our local schools in many ways and since they know many of the schoolteachers and their programs, they therefore understand what is expected of the students at various levels.

But the best part of all is how much fun they ALL have, students and teachers alike. At any given moment, a teacher may excitedly burst out of a room “hey, come listen to this” - he is talking about one of the students! Or as a student leaves from his lesson, there will be remarks from those who have been listening “great job” or “you really shredded that song”. They are a family of drummers.

Mike’s Drum Shop is a safe environment as well as stimulating and exciting. We look forward every year to the “Drum Off” where drummers collect to hear one another as well as compete. There is a lot of clapping of encouragement from the audience and it is electrifying. It is an amazingly positive atmosphere and leaves you wanting more.

Thank you Mike’s Drum Shop, and most especially George Pendergast, for all you do for our kids and the community. You are truly a gift to Santa Barbara."
Cordes


"Joe has made drumming a blast for my son Troy. In his years of lessons, Troy has learned well enough to make the Advanced Stage Band at Laguna Blanca High School as a Freshman."
Ward Ritter


"We shop at Mike's regularly and we like all the people there. My son Ben and I take lessons from Joe and we are entertained and educated at the same time."
Mark Sarrasin


"I have been taking lessons with Joe for six plus years. I have a great time and learn a lot. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! If you are into the blues you gotta study with Joe."
Julie Marvin

"I have known Joe for almost twenty years. He has been a credit to both Roselle Music and Mike's Drum Shop. I am sure that his students love him. He is a great guy and is always upbeat. A veritable role model."
John Pappone (Zildjian)


'I want the world to know that JOE FINK ROCKS."
Matt Friscia (Former Student and Drumer for Team Rockit and The Poster Children)


" Every Saturday morning for the past five years, my sons and I have met Craig Thatcher at his studio in Mike’s Drum Shop for our lessons. Although Craig Calls himself a music teacher, he is much more than this. A teacher simply teaches: Craig inspires, he motivates, sets high standards and lives by example. Of course, on these Saturdays, we learn how to play and instrument, but we also learn how to listen to music, we learn what showmanship is, we compete with each other and we laugh. This is no ordinary experience. Craig’s positive attitude and encouragement leave us all with a deep sense of satisfaction and achievement.

This morning, Sunday, Craig had a dozon of his students in the park at 6 a.m. sharp to show them how to perform precision drumming. There the kids sit in a circle, sleepy-eyed with Craig leading them in drills on the practice pads. In a few weeks, he’ll have them performing on State Street, and in local schools, in a drum band that he has named BOOM Chaka. After today’s early morning practice Craig has his students to his house for a waffle breakfast.

Craig has spent his life playing music professionally, on stage and in recording studios, but his true love is teaching his students. Although he cares profoundly for his music and his craft, his students are what matter most. Anyone lucky enough to spend time with him will come away feeling that their life just got better. Craig is an inspiration to all who know him."
B. Korchinski


"Our 3 sons have been drum students of Craig’s for the last 5 years. Not only have they learned to play the drums from their lessons from Craig, but they have grown in many ways that reflect that Craig has a unique gift for teaching and building self esteem. With Craig the kids have enjoyed a well rounded teacher/student relationship. Craig is always fun and spontaneous but never forgets to return to the focus of the lesson. He is creative in the structure of the time that he spends with his students. He takes the kids on field trips that relate to music and teaches by opening the kids eyes and ears by introducing them to drumming videos, cd’s and DVD’s. If the boys bring along a friend to the lesson Craig puts them on a second set of drums or keyboards and includes the visitor as if he is a crucial member of the band!

Craig sets goals with the kids and they work hard over respectable units of time that allow the students to practice hard and work towards their next level of accomplishment. Craig encourages the kids, pushes them, celebrates them and helps them to support one another at occasional drum recitals where students shine in front of their families, peers, and their teacher. Craig is a great teacher, friend and role model for his students. He really cares about them. We are lucky to have found him."
R. Himovitz


"Craig has been my son’s teacher and mentor for over 4 years now. He is himself a highly accomplished musician and has been able to instill a passion and drive for excellence in his students. He often loads a group of students into his car and drives them to Los Angeles to experience an exceptional performer of group. My son has been exposed to a wide genre of music, from Funk, Punk, Rock, to Latin and Jazz because of these trips.

Craig’s fun loving and “cool” demeanor has resulted in him becoming somewhat of a hero and role-model for our son. As such his strong stand against drugs and alcohol is accepted and given greater weight than when heard from parents. Being drug/ alcohol free and having a direction and passion has made what can be and often is a difficult time for a young man and his parents a “piece of cake” for us!

I feel Craig has been responsible for a lot of the fun we have had with our teenager. I strongly recommend him as your son’s teacher/mentor."
R. Ray


"Craig conveys more than just a musical gift to his “kids”; he reaches them on a personal level too. He instills confidence, wisdom and a real sense of self-worth and accomplishment. Craig is a friend, mentor, and confidante to his kids. For us, he is a third parent and a Godsend. Matt, who never had much confidence in tackling difficult problems, approaches challenges differently since he began working with Craig. Craig has given Matt the gift of believing he can do almost anything when it comes to music, while tackling difficult problems outside of music as well."
G. Raphaelian