Vatan Singh Rajan

14 Years of performing and teaching experience

Vatan is as committed to teaching as performance and composition. teaching drum set and music theory since 2012 as a private instructor and at several institutions to musicians of all ages and skill levels - from beginners to professionals. This includes several workshops at charitable organizations.

Music education has been the most important experience of Vatan's life, who considers it a life goal to pass on that knowledge and enthusiasm to students. Honoured by 3 music degrees with compositions taught at conservatories worldwide, Vatan strives to distill an elite conservatory education into fun, efficient lessons.

Vatan's philosophy focuses on comprehensive education packaged into engaging, enjoyable lessons. Classes will make careful use of students' favourite music to teach concepts in compelling, memorable ways.

Testimonials

'Vatan is an incredibly knowledgeable and experienced drummer, with the talent not only to play with the best in New York, but also to communicate these talents to students at any level. I've learned a lot, and look forward to studying with Vatan further.'

- Ben Weitz, Advanced Drum Set Student, Professional Drummer (Apocalypse Truck)

'Vatan is the best I have ever worked with, making my lessons fun, challenging and reinvigorating my desire to seriously pursue playing at a high level. Vatan has surrounded me with exceptional jazz musicians which has accelerated my rock skills, and pushes and challenges me. I have been thrilled with the results.'

- Mark Leavitt, Advanced Drum Set student, Professional Drummer (Jeff Can't Make It)

'Absolutely thrilled to have Vatan as my drum teacher, whose expertise, patience, and encouragement have truly transformed my drumming skills, especially starting from zero. Each lesson is tailored to my progress, making learning both effective and enjoyable. I highly recommend Vatan for anyone looking to master the drums.'

- Dana Kaumenova, Drum Set and Composition Student

Teaching Style

Lessons with Vatan are tailor-made for each student, with hours spent studying and analysing their musical goals and favourite music to incorporate them into lesson plans. Every class is entirely unique, created from scratch for each student with their favourite songs, artists, and genres to convey musical concepts effectively.

Vatan has learned from working with some of the best musicians in the world - including Grammy winner Rachel Z - that a musician's greatest asset is infectious enthusiasm, and is deeply invested in each student's progress.

Vatan holds a Performance Diploma from the Global Music Institute, and a Bachelor's degree in Jazz Performance and Master's degree in Composition from The New School - including extensive coursework in music education and pedagogy - and has isolated the most crucial aspects of classical conservatory training for accelerated learning. The artist's microtonal works are also taught at conservatories worldwide - most notably at Mannes School of Music.

Audition prep and coaching

With 14 years of experience in music academia, Vatan is uniquely equipped to help students with conservatory ambitions navigate the application and audition process. The artist has received scholarships from The New School, The New England Conservatory, Berklee College of Music, New York University Steinhardt, and the Aaron Copland School of Music, served on several admissions committees and audition panels, and is a composer whose works feature in conservatory curricula worldwide.

Having been both a student and faculty member at conservatories, Vatan is acutely aware of the challenges students face during their applications and auditions and is committed to assisting them wherever possible through one-on-one coaching, application reviews, and audition preparation.

Scholarships available

Vatan was raised in an environment with little support fot he arts, and one of the artist's core mission is expanding access to quality music education, and that that cost should never be a barrier. Vatan will work with students to subsidise the cost of lessons whenever required, adopting a pay-what-you-can model for students and families who demonstrate financial need.

institutions

Graduate Music and Theory Tutor, The New School (2023-present)

Conservatory Music and Theory Tutor, The New School (2017-22)

Lead Drum Instructor, School of Rock White Plains (2022-23)

Lead Drum Instructor, Guitar Center Union Square (2022-23)

Guest Instructor, Mirambika Free Progress School (2018)

Course Assistant, Global Music Institute (2014-15)