1^st lesson free

Stefanos

5 (6 reviews)

Rate $118
Response 1h
Students
Number of students Stefanos has accompanied since arriving at Superprof
7
Number of students Stefanos has accompanied since arriving at Superprof

5 (6 reviews)

$118/hr

1^st lesson free

Drum
Jazz Drumming
Conga
Bongo Drum
Timbales

Berklee graduate and professional drummer teaches personalized drum set lessons for all levels, combining strong fundamentals with a global rhythmic perspective!

Drum
Jazz Drumming
Conga
Bongo Drum
Timbales

Lesson location

- online

Super tutor

Stefanos is one of our best Drum tutors. High-quality profile, verified qualifications, a quick response time, and great reviews from students!

About Stefanos

Hi, I'm Stefanos Athinaios, a professional drummer/percussionist, composer, and educator based in New York City. I graduated from Berklee College of Music, where I studied drum set and percussion with a focus on jazz fusion and world music. I also minored in Effortless Mastery, a program with an emphasis on playing with less tension, greater freedom, and more presence. My studies have also included direct work with musicians like Dave DiCenso, Mark Walker, Danilo Pérez, and Victor Wooten.

I've been teaching for over a decade, working with more than 200 students of all ages and levels, from kids just starting out to advanced players and working professionals, including students with learning differences. I don’t believe in “difficult students.” Every student has their own way of learning, and part of my job is finding the approach that helps them connect. I've also led workshops and masterclasses for institutions including Berklee, Silkroad, and El Sistema programs, focusing on rhythmic literacy, ensemble playing, and cross-cultural approaches to rhythm.

As a performer, I’ve played festivals and jazz clubs worldwide, performed with orchestras, and contributed to 200+ recordings for artists, film, and TV. On many of these projects, I’ve also worked as a musical director, co-composer, and arranger.

Teaching drums isn’t just about drilling patterns. My goal is to help you develop the coordination, time feel, and confidence to express yourself behind the kit. Most importantly, I want you to enjoy the process and have fun playing.

About the lesson

No two students get the same lesson plan. We start by figuring out your current level, your goals, and what will make the biggest difference in your playing, then build a structured but flexible path from there.

A typical lesson includes a short warm-up, a quick check on last week’s material, and focused work on one specific concept. We then apply it to real music through a song, groove, fill, or improvisation, so it actually sticks and starts to feel like yours.

Depending on your goals, we can work on:
* Groove, timing, and playing with a click
* Hand/foot coordination and independence
* Technique, control, and relaxation
* Fills and moving around the kit
* Reading and rhythmic interpretation
* Style vocabulary: rock, funk, jazz, Latin, and beyond
* Improvisation and musical phrasing
* Learning songs and building your own parts
* Audition, performance, and recording prep

My background in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Afro-Cuban, and West African percussion also feeds into these lessons, bringing rhythmic vocabulary and phrasing that a standard drum-set curriculum rarely covers. 
For younger students, I use age-appropriate, interactive materials that keep lessons engaging while building strong musical foundations. Adult beginners progress without being buried in unnecessary theory, while more experienced players can go deeper into coordination, vocabulary, time feel, and developing their own voice.

I provide personalized exercises, notation, and play-alongs as needed, so you leave every lesson knowing exactly what to practice.

Send me a message with what you want to play, what currently feels difficult, or what you’d most like to improve. I’m here to help you identify the clearest next step and build the lessons around your goals.

Reviews

All of our reviews are collected by us and are 100% reliable. They correspond to a real experience had by the students of Stefanos.

5 (6 reviews)

C

Claudio
- 5
Perfect! Stefanos is an excellent teacher and a very kind person! He cares a lot about tailoring a custom plan for each student and, in my case, we rapidly converged on useful learning goals.
Read more Read more

C

Claudio

Perfect! Stefanos is an excellent teacher and a very kind person! He cares a lot about tailoring a custom plan for each student and, in my case, we rapidly converged on useful learning goals.
R

Roni
- 5
Perfect! Stefano is a fantastic drums and percussion instructor, engaging, knowledgeable. He’s worked with both me and my son, and he’s great with both kids and adults. His classes are structured yet fun, and his expertise across drumming and ethnic percussion really stands out. He makes every class engaging while building real skills, and his knowledge across drumming and ethnic percussion adds great depth to the experience. Highly recommended!
Read more Read more

R

Roni

Perfect! Stefano is a fantastic drums and percussion instructor, engaging, knowledgeable. He’s worked with both me and my son, and he’s great with both kids and adults. His classes are structured yet fun, and his expertise across drumming and ethnic percussion really stands out. He makes every class engaging while building real skills, and his knowledge across drumming and ethnic percussion adds great depth to the experience. Highly recommended!
See more reviews

Recommendations

Recommendations come from relatives, friends and acquaintances of the teacher

M

Myriam

As a jazz pianist exploring cross-cultural rhythms, Stefanos has been exactly the teacher I needed. He has a deep knowledge of different rhythmic concepts, but what stands out most is how he teach me to develop my own patterns and find my creative voice rather than just copying his. He's kind, respectful, and somehow always knows when to push me further. Lessons are well-structured, fun and always keep me hooked. Would definitely recommend him!
Read more

M
Myriam
As a jazz pianist exploring cross-cultural rhythms, Stefanos has been exactly the teacher I needed. He has a deep knowledge of different rhythmic concepts, but what stands out most is how he teach me to develop my own patterns and find my creative voice rather than just copying his. He's kind, respectful, and somehow always knows when to push me further. Lessons are well-structured, fun and always keep me hooked. Would definitely recommend him!
A

Alexander

What fun, creative and interactive ways of teaching Stefanos has! Throughout our lessons he always finds how to keep me focused and to the task without wasting time. His technique is exceptional for traditional instruments, but knows how to transfer them to a classic drum set or more advanced pads. Stefanos above all is very friendly and supportive - we've had 6 lessons so far and I am definitely not looking to stop any time soon. Try him out!
Read more

A
Alexander
What fun, creative and interactive ways of teaching Stefanos has! Throughout our lessons he always finds how to keep me focused and to the task without wasting time. His technique is exceptional for traditional instruments, but knows how to transfer them to a classic drum set or more advanced pads. Stefanos above all is very friendly and supportive - we've had 6 lessons so far and I am definitely not looking to stop any time soon. Try him out!
O

Oliver

Stefanos is a phenomenal musician. He has a wealth of knowledge, whether it’s his ability to play multiple percussion instruments or his vastly diverse experience in rhythm. I came to him seeking lessons on daf but what I got was so much more. Not only are his lessons an extremely resourceful, his teaching is also fun and engaging. I would highly recommend!
Read more

O
Oliver
Stefanos is a phenomenal musician. He has a wealth of knowledge, whether it’s his ability to play multiple percussion instruments or his vastly diverse experience in rhythm. I came to him seeking lessons on daf but what I got was so much more. Not only are his lessons an extremely resourceful, his teaching is also fun and engaging. I would highly recommend!
M

Maria

Stefanos is the kind of person who makes learning as safe as it can be! He really tries to help you grow in your playing and enjoy the process!
Read more

M
Maria
Stefanos is the kind of person who makes learning as safe as it can be! He really tries to help you grow in your playing and enjoy the process!
View more recommendations

Rates

Rate

$118

Pack prices

5h: $550
10h: $1015

free lessons

The first lesson with Stefanos will allow you to get to know each other and discuss your needs for future lessons.

30mins

online

$102/h

Details

- I also offer between-lesson support for brief questions about practice or lesson material.

- Discounted 5- and 10-lesson packages are available for in-person students who want to commit to regular lessons.

- A travel fee may apply to lessons at the student’s location, depending on distance, and will always be agreed in advance.

Berklee graduate and professional drummer teaches personalized drum set lessons for all levels, combining strong fundamentals with a global rhythmic perspective!

Lesson location

Super tutor

About Stefanos

About the lesson

Reviews

Recommendations

Rates

Rate

Pack prices

free lessons

online

Details

Stefanos's Video

Similar Drum tutors in New York

Evan

Mike

Justin

Cauan

Holly

Tyrone

Felix

Fairuz

Allen

Jitse

Johan

Davy

Peter

Frank

Jacob

Floyd

BASTOS

Valentina

Jose

Andy

Berklee graduate and professional drummer teaches personalized drum set lessons for all levels, combining strong fundamentals with a global rhythmic perspective!

Lesson location

Super tutor

About Stefanos

About the lesson

Reviews

Recommendations

Rates

Rate

Pack prices

free lessons

online

Details

Stefanos's Video

Similar Drum tutors in New York

Evan

Mike

Justin

Cauan

Holly

Tyrone

Felix

Fairuz

Allen

Jitse

Johan

Davy

Peter

Frank

Jacob

Floyd

BASTOS

Valentina

Jose

Andy

Share

Verified qualification

levels

All languages in which the lesson is available

Reviews

Reviews

Recommendations

free lessons

Report this listing