Jeffrey Samataro

Drums, Percussion
Director of Music Engagement

  • Growing up Jeff played with many local groups, studied drums and piano privately with many different instructors, and was an active member in his high school’s music program. He was an all state musician in both classical and jazz music and was awarded the Arthur J. Mirabile Scholarship to study music at the collegiate level.

    Jeff attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in Music Performance with a minor in Psychology. Jeff has studied with numerous world renowned drummers including Steve Michaud, Dave Dicenso, Dave Elitch, Ralph Peterson Jr, and Terri Lyne Carrington.

    “Music has affected my life in such a positive way, I want to pass that positivity onto the next generation of young percussionists.”

    After graduating in 2011, Jeff has been actively pursuing teaching while at the same maintaining a vigorous performance schedule. Jeff’s passion for teaching has taken him everywhere from private studios in Southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts, to music tutoring programs for under-privelleged kids in Jamaica. Jeff served as the band director at Hampstead Academy in Hampstead, NH for 6 years and was a professor of percussion at Southern, NH University for 7 years. Jeff has judged auditions for NH Jazz All State as well as other festivals and competitions. He has worked in the public school system and was a percussion instructor at Windham High School and Souhegan High School for a number of years.

    Jeff performs with The Conniption Fits based out of Lebanon ,NH. The band was voted “Best Rock Trio” by New Hampshire Magazine and performs over 120+ shows a year. Jeff has played on numerous albums and recordings and has been a part of numerous tours.

    Currently, Jeff is the Director of Music Engagement and the primary drum instructor at Ted Herbert Music School where he’s been for over 10 years and teaches over 50 private students a week.

    For more information about Jeff please visit his website HERE

Adam Rhan

Drums, Percussion

  • Adam Rhan developed his unique sound and teaching style from a young age.

    “I’ve always loved playing drums and percussion. I want all my students, first and foremost, to have fun and to see that if you channel that fun through continuous practice, the results will come.”

    Having studied drumset and percussion with Peter Erskine, Dave DiCenso, Benjamin Toth, Michael Burritt, and others, Adam has the skill set to teach all playing styles and adapt to any learning style.

    Adam refined his leadership skills early in his career by working diligently through high school and college. In High School, he led the Londonderry Marching Lancer Drumline during the 2011 Rose Bowl Parade and placed second in New Hampshire for Jazz All State the same year. Adam received his Bachelor’s Degree in Percussion Performance from Keene State College under the direction of Christopher Swist, Amy Garapic, and Murray Mast. While at Keene, Adam had the opportunity to coach and conduct chamber ensembles and premiere numerous percussion ensemble pieces. In his final year at Keene, Adam was awarded “Musician of the Year” which is given to only one recipient in the music program every year.

    After graduating from Keene State College, Adam was accepted to the Hartt School of Music’s Graduate Percussion Program. Under the direction of Benjamin Toth, Adam was awarded their Talent Scholarship and a paid Teaching Assistant contract. During those two years, Adam developed his teaching and performance practices in percussion further by instructing undergraduate percussion students in small and large group ensembles. He continued to mature his playing in Classical, Steel Pan, Middle Eastern, West African, and Jazz drumming in numerous ensembles offered at the Hartt School of Music.

    Today, Adam teaches at Bedford High School coaching their Marching Drumline, Silver Jazz Band, and Percussion Ensemble. He continues to refine his drum set performance through the New Hampshire Jazz Orchestra as Principal Percussionist