Lesson Center

PERCUSSION

Charlie has a Percussion Performance degree and minor in Audio Engineering from the famed Berklee College of Music in Boston. While there, he studied privately with Alan Dawson (Dave Brubeck) and Keith Copeland (Stevie Wonder). After graduating from Berklee, Charlie went on to study with David Garibaldi (Tower of Power) and Roy McCurdy (Cannonball Adderly-Kenny Rankin) in Los Angeles, CA. Charlie has over 25 years teaching experience utilizing the same techniques he learn from his various instructors. From 2012 to 2016, Charlie was head audio engineer and music director for KCWI's morning show "Great Day" in Des Moines. Charlie performed audio mixing for Live bands on the show which included National acts that were performing in Des Moines. Charolie has played all over the United States, Europe, Canada, and Caribbean Islands. He has been fortunate to perform with national artists including Sonny Rollins, Gary Burton, Steve Swallow, Lawrence Welk Orchestra, Carrie McDowel, Des Moines Big Band,Des Moines Symphony and others! He has experience in recording jingles, albums, radio spots and other various projects in his career. Charlie loves teaching and performing all styles of music from Jazz, Rock, Blues, Rudimental and much more. He is also co-leader of the band "Flipside" which has played coast to coast and beyond for the past 25 years. In 2019, Charlie was inducted to the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Stacey Ramirez received a Master of Music degree from the University of Illinois and a Bachelor of Music degree from Drake University both in Percussion Performance. She has taught percussion in private lessons, master classes, and summer camps at a number of Des Moines area and Illinois schools since 1994. She is also Adjunct Professor of Music at DMACC-Ankeny and West Campuses. Her students have won first chair positions in their school band, have achieved perfect scores at solo and ensemble contest, and played in the All-State Music Band and Orchestra. Stacey has performed throughout the Midwest and New York City with the Kolot Ensemble, Des Moines Symphony, Cedar Rapids Symphony (Orchestra Iowa), Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, Milwaukee Choral Artists, Music Under the Stars, Des Moines Playhouse, Mosaics Chamber Ensemble, and the Des Moines Choral Society. Stacey teaches all instruments in school band percussion, four-mallet marimba, drum set, music theory and history. She believes in preparing students, not only for high school band, but so they can become life-long percussionists. Stacey is endorsed by Aquarian Drumheads.

Mr. Van Haecke, or Mr. V by some, has been playing drums for over 20 years. He is currently the drumline instructor for Urbandale High School and Saydel High School where he teaches, writes and sometimes re-writes music for the drumlines’ on-field battery and frontline ensembles. He occasionally teaches a drum class at Woodside Middle School and once a week can be found teaching at Brody Transistional School. In the past he has been involved with the Central Iowa Wind Ensemble, Des Moines Community Orchestra, Pikes Peak Philharmonic (Colorado), Valley High School Marching Drum Camp, Iowa State University Fall Drumline, Iowa State University Spring Drumline Club (Groove), and productions with Ballet Des Moines and Des Moines Playhouse.