Drummer ■ Educator ■ ComposerI perform as a drummer in diverse musical settings, teach drums, percussion and other instruments to a wide range of ages, and compose and present my own music.I am currently the percussion instructor at Fenwick High School and adjunct faculty member at Wheaton College. I also teach drums, guitar and piano to a studio of private students in the Chicago area. I get a huge amount of satisfaction in seeing my students succeed at their goals.I also maintain an active performing career. I have played at many of Chicago's top venues, including the Green Mill, Andy's, Lincoln Hall and more. In 2016, I won the Luminarts Jazz Fellowship, a Chicago jazz improvisation contest with a $5,000 prize. My original jazz quartet, Many Blessings, has performed at venues including the Chicago Jazz Festival and Constellation, and our recent album garnered critical acclaim from national and international press outlets.A short list of some groups I have performed with: ►Jazz: Scott Burns, Victor Garcia, Matt Ulery, East Hubbard Jazz Orchestra, Jim Gailloreto►Soul/R&B band The Right Now►Performing Arts Groups: Blue Man Group, Baby Wants Candy, Chicago Tap Theatre, I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues►Private event bands: Velocity (Arlen Music), Ring of Music, Connexion BandIn addition to my work as a musician and educator, I have 7 years of experience in the Internet radio industry in my former role as Jazz program director for AccuRadio.com.I discovered my passion for music growing up in Tucson, AZ. I attended Northern Illinois University, where I performed with masters like John Clayton and Charles McPherson. I then earned my Master's in jazz studies at DePaul University, where I studied closely with Dana Hall.I continue to have a deep curiosity about jazz, the drums, and music theory. Every day, I dig deeper into these passions in my own creative pursuits and in my work with students.Contact me at lwgillan@gmail.com