Tiago Brandão — Drum Lessons in Jacksonville & St. Johns

About

Hi, I'm Tiago.

I've been a working musician for more than 20 years — playing drums on stages, in studios, and now teaching here in Florida. I've spent my career around music in every form: as a performer, a producer, and an instructor.

I teach at Jacksonville School of the Arts and offer private lessons at students' homes, at music studios, and online. My goal is simple: help you play the drums in a way that feels good — confident, musical, and yours.

Lessons are available in English, Portuguese (native), and Spanish — learn in the language you're most comfortable with.

U.S. EB-1 Visa · Extraordinary Ability in Music Latin Grammy Voting Member 20+ years of experience Lessons in English, Portuguese & Spanish

Lessons

Three ways to learn.

— 01

At your home

I come to you. Lessons happen on your own kit, in your own space — ideal for younger students or anyone who prefers practicing where they live.

— 02

At a studio

Lessons booked at a rehearsal studio — a great option for focused, distraction-free sessions when home isn't ideal.

— 03

At the music school

I currently teach at Jacksonville School of the Arts — a great option if you prefer a structured environment with other musicians around.

Who it's for

Beginners to seasoned players.

First-time players

Never touched a drum kit before? That's where I love to start. We'll build rhythm, coordination, and confidence from the ground up — no judgment, no rush.

Kids & teens

Lessons tailored to younger students — patient, engaging, and tuned to the music they actually love. Great for school band, recitals, or just for fun.

Intermediate & advanced

Looking to tighten your timing, work on dynamics, prep for a live gig, or break through a plateau? Lessons designed around what you actually need.

An approach built on feel, not just technique.

Rhythm, timing, and groove — the foundation everything else is built on.
Musical interpretation and dynamics, so what you play actually feels like something.
Listening skills — learning to hear the music around you, not just keep up with it.
Repertoire across rock, pop, Brazilian and Latin music, metal, and beyond — your taste shapes the lessons.
Performance prep for bands, school recitals, auditions, and live shows.

Students

In their own words.

I have been taking my grandson to Tiago for drum lessons for a year and a half now. After every lesson, I ask him how it was and his answer is always "Great!" Tiago is able to combine a very fun lesson with the knowledge to keep a brisk pace of progress. My grandson is now 7, and can read music and happily practices every day. I would highly recommend Tiago to any student who wants to learn drums.

Jackie Post Brock's grandmother

I want to share how amazing my drum teacher, Tiago is! He makes every lesson fun and exciting. His clear explanations help me understand everything easily, and he encourages me to try new rhythms. Thanks to Tiago I've learned so much and feel more confident in my drumming after every class, which I really look forward to! If you want to learn drums and have a great time, Tiago is the best teacher! I feel so lucky to be his student.

Dennis Hurski Student · 11 years old

He is a really good teacher and he teaches very well. It's really nice that he also can speak Spanish and teaches me in Spanish. Overall he is a really good teacher, and he's really nice. I really enjoy his drumming lessons too.

Zay Gonzalez Student · 13 years old