I've been suprised and thrilled by how much stronger my rhythm skills are since taking a drumming class with Yari. I was improvising recently with friends, and complex syncopated rhythms were pouring out of me. It was such a pleasure! Yari did such a wonderful job opening up the doors to the joyful and primal world of rhythm.

Astraea Bella
Oakland, CA
Psychotherapist

Learning to play the djembe has been one of the highlights of my year. Having no musical training (or talent!), I never imagined how much fun drumming could be or how quickly I could make progress. The classes I have taken with Yari have been just like him, heartwarming. The patient, supportive style with which Yari teaches, the exciting rhythms we have learned, and the warm vibe of the other students brings me back each week without fail. I would recommend drumming with Yari to anyone who wants to both feel and enjoy this wonderful, primal music.

Terry Cumes
San Francisco, CA
Managing Director
Intrax Internships Abroad

My experience of drumming lessons with Yari has been completely amazing. The lessons are fun, interesting, varied and effective – I learn so much and have the experience of making vast progress each session we have.  Yari is a truly wonderful teacher; he is attentive, enthusiastic, encouraging, engaged, and fun.  He makes you feel completely comfortable, and creates individually tailored lessons, paying attention to your musical preferences, and also to areas that challenge you, and works patiently to support you in “getting” the techniques and rhythms.  He is also extremely generous -- he creates  reference sheets from each lesson tohat support you in practicing, and even makes himself available by phone should you have any questions.  Yari lives and breathes music, and playing alongside him gets you connected to the very essence of music.  I highly recommend drumming lessons with Yari to everyone, regardless of skill level.  It is a phenomenal, rich and empowering experience, and will not only have you fall even deeper in love with music and rhythm, but will support you in knowing yourself as capable and competent in the musical realm itself.

Eva Ackerman - restaurant manager

Taking drumming classes with Yari was a great experience.  As a beginning student, I learned many different ways to play the drums and had a lot of fun in the process.  Yari brings his passion for music in to each class he teaches, making it easy for students to get in to a rhythmic groove.  His teaching style is informative, playful and inspirational.  I would highly recommend Yari's drumming classes to any student who wants to learn in an instructive, joyful and uplifting environment.

Catherine Garvey ~ yoga teacher & director of sales

I attended Yari's Beginning Drum class in June of 09.  I have known Yari for 15 years and have seen his career grow and evolve over that time.  He started out as an elementary mulitple-subjects teacher.  Being a musician and teaching music has fulfilled Yari and it shows as he teaches, performs and connects with his audience and students.  Yari's classes are full of joy, love, learning and friendship.  Stress melts away as you attend his classes and a lightness fills your soul.  Not only do you learn about music, but you learn to be a child again, playing with a wonderfully accepting group of adults committed to producing positive energy and rhythym.  Yari is the master of this group and he is able to create the vibes necessary to bring you back to that simple place where nothing else matters except a smile, a willingness to let go of yourself and be a little silly once again.  I would highly recommend his class for anyone who wants to learn how to groove.
 
Naomi Shelan ~ educational consultant