Lance Beckford
As a music educator, Lance Beckford has been involved in teaching in various settings since 2003. A drum line instructor, assistant band director, private teacher, adjudicator, and clinician are the hats he has worn throughout the years. Working under the tutelage of Ed Wolfe at San Dimas High School gave Lance more than enough "field experience" to prepare him for the education industry. Beckford thanks all of his music teachers for being the very example he wants to be to his students. Lance is in the final stages of earning a Bachelor of Music Education degree at Azusa Pacific University. He continues to teach as a freelance educator around Southern California for the Vic Firth Education Team, and enjoys teaching privately at Gard'ís Music in Glendora, California.
Lance has been a performing musician for twenty years. His professional career as a drummer and hand percussionist began after graduating from Musicians Institute (Percussion Institute of Technology) in Hollywood, California as Outstanding Student of the Year in 2006. While at MI, Lance studied with Jeremy Strawn, and Chuck Silverman. Other studies have been with Will Kennedy, Rob Carson, Bill Schlitt, Mark Converse, and Hilary Jones among others.
Beckford is a freelance drummer and percussionist for studio and live settings. Most frequently, you can see him performing with Smooth Jazz Bassist Michael Haggins, Vaudeville Singer/Songwriter Adjoa Skinner, and R&B artist Terron Brooks. Lance also plays at his home church, Christ'ís Church of the Valley (CCV) in San Dimas, California and thanks them for presenting great opportunities to expand his music.