Drum Lessons in Minnesota

What drum lessons cost across Minnesota, and how to find the right teacher.

Marc Levesque updated 11/13/26 - 19 min read

Drum lesson prices across Minnesota
Meet teachers
How drum learning works in Minnesota
Auditions and events in Minnesota
Starting at any age
Finding the right teacher
Drum in Minnesota
Area by area
A little drum history in Minnesota
Frequently Asked Questions

Drum lesson prices across Minnesota

A one-hour drum lesson in Minnesota typically costs $60 to $95, and a half hour $33 to $52. Most towns sit close to that range. The Minneapolis area runs highest, up to $100 an hour.

Every town has two guides: a drum lessons guide, with local schools, events and places to play, and a costs guide, with that town's prices in detail.

Find your town

Town	30 minutes	One hour	Guides
Minneapolis area
Minneapolis	$33–$55	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
St. Paul	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Bloomington	$33–$53	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Brooklyn Park	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Plymouth	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Woodbury	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Lakeville	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Blaine	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Maple Grove	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Eagan	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Burnsville	$33–$53	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Coon Rapids	$33–$53	$61–$96	Lessons Costs
Eden Prairie	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Apple Valley	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Edina	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Minnetonka	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
St. Louis Park	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Shakopee	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Cottage Grove	$33–$51	$60–$94	Lessons Costs
Maplewood	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Richfield	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Inver Grove Heights	$33–$51	$60–$94	Lessons Costs
Roseville	$33–$53	$61–$96	Lessons Costs
Andover	$33–$51	$60–$93	Lessons Costs
Savage	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Brooklyn Center	$33–$53	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
Fridley	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Chaska	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Oakdale	$33–$53	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Ramsey	$33–$51	$60–$93	Lessons Costs
Prior Lake	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Rosemount	$32–$51	$60–$93	Lessons Costs
Elk River	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
Shoreview	$33–$53	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Chanhassen	$33–$51	$60–$94	Lessons Costs
White Bear Lake	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Farmington	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Champlin	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
New Brighton	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Crystal	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Otsego	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
Columbia Heights	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Hastings	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Lino Lakes	$32–$51	$60–$93	Lessons Costs
Golden Valley	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
West St. Paul	$33–$53	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
New Hope	$33–$53	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
Forest Lake	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
South St. Paul	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
St. Michael	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
Stillwater	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Hopkins	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Anoka	$33–$53	$61–$96	Lessons Costs
Ham Lake	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Buffalo	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Hugo	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Monticello	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Robbinsdale	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Rogers	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Waconia	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Lake Elmo	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
Mounds View	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Vadnais Heights	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
North St. Paul	$33–$53	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
Big Lake	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
East Bethel	$32–$49	$59–$89	Lessons Costs
Mendota Heights	$33–$51	$60–$94	Lessons Costs
North Branch	$32–$49	$59–$90	Lessons Costs
Victoria	$33–$51	$60–$94	Lessons Costs
Little Canada	$33–$53	$61–$96	Lessons Costs
St. Cloud area
St. Cloud	$31–$43	$56–$78	Lessons Costs
Sartell	$31–$43	$56–$78	Lessons Costs
Sauk Rapids	$31–$43	$56–$78	Lessons Costs
Duluth area
Duluth	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Hibbing	$31–$43	$56–$78	Lessons Costs
Cloquet	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Mankato area
Mankato	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
North Mankato	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
St. Peter	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Faribault area
Faribault	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Northfield	$32–$47	$59–$87	Lessons Costs
Other Minnesota towns
Albert Lea	$32–$47	$59–$86	Lessons Costs
Alexandria	$32–$49	$59–$89	Lessons Costs
Austin	$32–$48	$59–$87	Lessons Costs
Bemidji	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
Brainerd	$32–$49	$59–$90	Lessons Costs
Fergus Falls	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Grand Rapids	$32–$49	$59–$90	Lessons Costs
Hutchinson	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Marshall	$33–$51	$60–$93	Lessons Costs
Moorhead	$31–$44	$58–$81	Lessons Costs
New Ulm	$32–$47	$58–$85	Lessons Costs
Owatonna	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Red Wing	$32–$45	$58–$82	Lessons Costs
Rochester	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Willmar	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Winona	$32–$48	$59–$88	Lessons Costs
Worthington	$33–$51	$60–$94	Lessons Costs

Meet a Drum Teacher in Minnesota Before Weekly Lessons

The free first lesson is a low-pressure way to meet the teacher, try live online drum instruction, and decide whether weekly lessons feel right for you or your child in Minnesota.

Try a free 45-minute drum lesson from home
Check whether a pad, electronic kit, or acoustic setup is enough
Get real-time feedback on timing, grip, and coordination
Continue weekly only if the teacher feels like the right fit

60+ Instructors

70,000+ Lessons taught

4.9/5 Average lesson rating

Find Your Next Drum Instructor in Minnesota

Browse drum teachers, compare fit and availability, and start with a free trial before choosing weekly lessons in Minnesota.

Instrument

Day & Time

Student Age

Student Skill Level

2 drums instructors available in the next 5 days

Colin Rosso

Top Rated 5.0

Bachelor’s in DrumsGreat with All AgesStudent Favorite

Levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Ages: Kids, Teens, Adults

✅ Background Checked💬 Speaks: English🏆 Experience: 8 yrs of teaching💻 Lesson Format: Online in Minnesota via Zoom

Available:SMTWTFSMorningAfternoonEvening

$0 ~~$50~~ / 45 minute trial

Book Free Trial with Colin

Eric Weidman

Bachelor’s in DrumsGreat with BeginnersWarm & EncouragingPopular

Levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Ages: Kids, Teens, Adults

✅ Background Checked💬 Speaks: English🏆 Experience: 20 yrs of teaching💻 Lesson Format: Online in Minnesota via Zoom

Available:SMTWTFSMorningAfternoonEvening

$0 ~~$50~~ / 45 minute trial

Book Free Trial with Eric

How drum learning works in Minnesota

How does drum fit school music in Minnesota?

Minnesota schools generally introduce band in fifth or sixth grade, but drums are one part of a percussion section rather than a separate school program. Some Minneapolis Public School District elementary schools offer band to fifth graders; Capitol Hill in Saint Paul starts in fifth grade, while North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District 622 begins in sixth. A private lesson gives you or your child time to build steady timing and basic technique before band begins, then supports the parts the school ensemble assigns.

When school music starts in Minnesota districts

Minneapolis Public School DistrictBand5

Saint Paul Public Schools, District 625Band at capitol hill5

Anoka-Hennepin Public School DistrictBeginning band and bandMiddle school

Osseo Area SchoolsBand5

Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Independent School District 196Beginning band5

North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District 622Beginning band6

Eden Prairie Public School DistrictBeginning band5

Mounds View Public SchoolsBand5

Who runs what for Minnesota drummers?

Minnesota's student music route separates school contests from honors ensembles. The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) oversees high school solo, small-ensemble and large-ensemble contests, while the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) selects All-State Band percussionists through video auditions. The Minnesota Band Directors Association (MBDA) runs Honor Bands, but those are for band students in grades 6–8 and 9–10, not a separate percussion honor group. Knowing which organization serves your goal helps you plan through your school band director rather than preparing for an unrelated contest.

Who runs what in Minnesota

Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL)

Runs: Runs high school solo and ensemble music contests.
For: Minnesota high school students

Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA)

Runs: Runs All-State auditions and ensembles, including percussion.
For: Eligible high school students through a sponsoring teacher

Minnesota Band Directors Association (MBDA)

Runs: Runs state Honor Bands for grades 6–8 and 9–10.
For: Middle and early high school band students

Auditions and events in Minnesota

How does a drummer reach Minnesota's top student honors?

For a Minnesota high school drummer, the clearest top student honor is percussion in the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) All-State Band. The student must be a sophomore or junior at audition time and belong to a secondary-school band in good standing through the February performance; a homeschool student needs shared-time membership in that ensemble. A sponsoring teacher submits the video audition, and MMEA verifies school membership before April 10. Auditions open January 1, 2027, and are due by noon March 2; final rosters are selected in mid-April. Selected students attend All-State camp July 27–31, 2027, before the February 2028 performances. The Minnesota State High School League also offers school contests, but those are a separate route.

The drum route in Minnesota, step by step

School bandJoin a secondary-school band and remain in good standing through the February All-State performance.
Video auditionSophomores and juniors audition through a sponsoring teacher; 2027 submissions are due by noon March 2.
Roster selectionMMEA selects final All-State rosters in mid-April after verifying ensemble membership.
All-StateSelected percussionists attend camp July 27–31, 2027, before February 2028 performances.

The Minnesota drum year

AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJul

MFMC State Student AuditionsEntry fee: $25 per categoryStart the piece Jul to Oct

Start the piece Jul to OctJan 25

Young Artist CompetitionRochester Chamber Music SocietyStart the piece Oct to Jan

Start the piece Oct to JanApr 10

Working on the event piece, 3 to 6 monthsEvent

What do auditions ask you to prepare?

For the 2027 Minnesota Music Educators Association All-State percussion audition, prepare one snare etude and one mallet etude from Etude Set 2; the mallet selection may be played on any mallet percussion instrument. Scales are not required. Each component must be a separate video in one continuous take, and metronomes are not allowed, so the student needs secure internal time as well as accurate notes. In weekly lessons, three to six months is a practical span for shaping an event piece, recording it cleanly and correcting details before the March 2 deadline.

What else is there to enter?

Beyond All-State, Minnesota's State High School League runs regional solo, small-ensemble and large-ensemble contests, with each region setting its events and host school. These suit students who want a school-based performance goal, not only a state honor audition. The Minnesota Percussion Association holds annual indoor percussion preliminaries and championships, which give ensemble-focused players another competitive setting; its 2027 events are scheduled for April 3 and April 10. These routes suit students who want to perform with peers as well as those pursuing an individual audition.

Drum events in Minnesota, 2026–27

2027 All-State Auditions

Minnesota Music Educators Association

When: Auditions open January 1, 2027; deadline March 2, 2027. All-State camp July 27–31, 2027; February performances February 17–19, 2028.
Entry: $1,050 per student for 2027–28 All-State camp
Who: Minnesota high school students; see MMEA eligibility policies

MFMC State Student Auditions

Minnesota Federation of Music Clubs

When: Application deadline January 25, 2027; recording deadline January 31, 2027
Entry: $25 per category
Who: Minnesota high school juniors and seniors; teacher must be an MFMC member

Young Artists Competition

Golden Valley Orchestra

When: Auditions January 12 or 19, 2027; concert April 25, 2027
Entry: $60 per audition application
Who: Junior: up to 15; Senior: 16–19

Young Artist Competition

Rochester Chamber Music Society

When: April 10, 2027
Entry: Ask the organizer
Who: Students enrolled in Minnesota pre-college programs (K–12)

Homeschool and private school students

Minnesota resident homeschool students may take part in extracurricular activities through their resident district on the same basis as public school students. For MMEA All-State percussion, a homeschooled student must join the corresponding secondary-school band through shared-time participation and remain in good standing; a private teacher can sponsor the audition, with MMEA verifying band membership. That district band connection is the first step for a homeschool drummer pursuing this honor.

Starting at any age

Starting a child on drum

A child can begin drum lessons once they can follow a steady beat and manage short, focused practice, often before fifth-grade band starts. In Minnesota, some districts begin band in grade 5 and others in grade 6, so private lessons can bridge that gap rather than waiting for a school opening. A teacher builds coordination and pulse on a practice pad before expanding to a full kit, then helps your child read rhythms and contribute confidently when school band begins.

A teen in Minnesota

A Minnesota teen who wants the state's leading school honor should plan around school band membership and the All-State audition cycle. The audition is open to sophomores and juniors, and an accepted student must remain in good standing in a secondary-school band through the February performance. Weekly lessons fit alongside rehearsals by building the student's snare and mallet work steadily, while the school director or sponsoring teacher coordinates the audition route.

Starting or coming back as an adult

It is not too late to start or return to drums as an adult in Minnesota, even if your goal is simply to play with other people. The Bemidji Area Community Band welcomes adults at every skill level, though its concert-band instrumentation is winds, brass and percussion rather than a drum-set group. A teacher can meet you at your current level, whether you are learning basic timekeeping or rebuilding reading and coordination, and help you work toward playing percussion with an ensemble.

Finding the right teacher

What should a good drum teacher do?

A good drum teacher gives you more than a set of exercises: they hear where timing or coordination slips, then shape practice around the student's age, goals and confidence. In Minnesota, a student considering All-State needs a teacher who can build both snare and mallet skills over time, while a younger beginner may need a patient introduction to pulse and reading. Fit matters because weekly practice works best when the student trusts the teacher's pace and feedback. Lesson With You lets you choose a teacher yourself or ask us to recommend one; every teacher holds at least a bachelor's degree in percussion.

How do live online drum lessons work?

A live Zoom drum lesson lets the teacher hear timing and dynamics in real time and see the student's hands, sticks and playing surface. At home, a phone or computer camera should show the setup clearly, with the microphone close enough to pick up the instrument; a practice pad is useful when a full kit is not practical. The teacher can demonstrate, listen, then give immediate feedback without either of you commuting. Lessons are one-on-one weekly with one dedicated teacher, so the student builds a steady working relationship. In Minneapolis or Bemidji, you have the same teacher choice and lesson experience.

What $35 a week gets you at Lesson With You

A teacher with a degree in percussionEvery Lesson With You drum teacher holds at least a bachelor's degree in percussion.

ColinBachelor’s in Drums

EricBachelor’s in Drums

Meet the teachers below

The same teacher every weekLive, one-on-one lessons with one teacher who knows your goals.

Practice goals every weekEach lesson ends with what to practice before the next one.

Switch or pause anytimeSwitch teachers at no cost, or pause with 24 hours' notice. There's no term to sign up for.

Drum in Minnesota

Where to hear drum

Families can hear percussion in several live settings across Minnesota. Anoka-Ramsey Community College's Coon Rapids campus lists free public jazz and chamber ensemble performances during the 2026–27 season, and Hamline University performances in Saint Paul are free and open to the public. In Northfield, St. Olaf Music Department events are free unless otherwise noted. These concerts let you or your child hear percussion supporting ensembles in different musical settings.

Where to play with others

Outside school bands, young percussionists have focused ensemble options in several parts of Minnesota. MBI Indoor Percussion in Hastings is a competitive ensemble for performers age 22 and under. In Winona, the middle school jazz band includes drums in its rhythm section and is open to seventh- and eighth-graders by fall audition. Adults can consider the Bemidji Area Community Band, which welcomes musicians of every skill level for its summer concert band; percussionists can ask what parts are needed.

Drum around Minnesota, area by area

Minneapolis area

In Minneapolis, percussionists can explore Minnesota Youth Symphonies, where they may audition for jazz as well as orchestra, band or wind ensembles. Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies also has percussion openings and monthly seminars. In Saint Paul, students of all ages can reserve free tickets to eligible Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra concerts, while young people 20 and under can use Minnesota Opera's youth rush offer on performance day.

School year: Sep 8 to Jun 11, 37 lesson weeks (Minneapolis Public School District)
Town guides: Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Plymouth, Woodbury, Lakeville, Blaine

Duluth area

Duluth Superior Symphony Youth Orchestra includes a Percussion Ensemble, giving young players a focused group option alongside its orchestral ensembles. Children and college students can hear the Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra at reduced ticket prices. Duluth's Music in the Park series brings free outdoor Tuesday concerts in summer, giving a young drummer a chance to listen for how rhythm supports a full group.

School year: Sep 8 to Jun 10, 39 lesson weeks (Duluth Public Schools)
Town guides: Duluth, Superior, Hibbing, Cloquet

Rochester area

Rochester Catholic Schools offers students opportunities to participate in winter drumline. Rochester Symphony Kids presents a Saturday-afternoon Peter and the Wolf concert, while the Riverside Music Series brings free Sunday-evening performances to Mayo Park in summer. These give young percussionists an ensemble context and a chance to hear how percussion works within a larger musical story.

Town guides: Rochester

Mankato area

Mankato East High School forms percussion ensembles based on student interest, and its jazz bands accept grades 9–12 band members by audition. The Serendipity Music Series offers free midweek, midday performances for the Mankato-area community. Students interested in playing with others can explore the school ensembles, while the community performances offer a way to hear a range of live music.

School year: Sep 8 to Jun 10, 39 lesson weeks (Mankato Area Public Schools)
Town guides: Mankato, North Mankato, St. Peter

Faribault area

Faribault's free Concerts in the Park bring live music to the Historic Central Park Band Shell on Thursday evenings in summer. The outdoor concerts give families in Faribault a community setting to hear live music, while students can listen closely to how percussion supports an ensemble.

Town guides: Faribault, Northfield

Owatonna area

Owatonna Community Band is a volunteer summer ensemble with no auditions, rehearsing in June and July and performing through August; a percussionist can ask about the parts needed each season. Downtown Thursdays offers free live music on the first Thursday from June through September. The mix gives a player a possible community performance outlet and a regular local chance to listen.

School year: Aug 31 to Jun 4, 38 lesson weeks (Owatonna Public Schools)
Town guides: Owatonna

Willmar area

In Willmar, Prairie Winds Summer Band performs free Wednesday-evening concerts at Rice Park in June and July, giving a percussion student a chance to hear concert-band parts in context. Spicer's Tasting Grove Summer Music Series adds free Thursday-evening live music from May through August. Both settings make it easy to listen for the way percussion supports a larger group.

School year: Aug 31 to May 28, 37 lesson weeks (Willmar Public Schools - District 347)
Town guides: Willmar

A little drum history in Minnesota

Minnesota has a continuing percussion tradition in indoor performance. The Minnesota Percussion Association holds annual preliminaries and championships, with its 2027 preliminaries in Elk River and championships in Rochester. Minneapolis also has a drum-making history through Franklin Drum Company, which handcrafts custom drums using locally sourced shells. For a student, that means percussion here is more than a school-band role: there are focused ensemble events and a local connection to the craft of the instrument, alongside the everyday work of learning to listen, keep time and support a group.

Start Drum Lessons With a Free Trial

Try a free 45-minute drum lesson from home
Check whether a pad, electronic kit, or acoustic setup is enough
Get real-time feedback on timing, grip, and coordination
Continue weekly only if the teacher feels like the right fit

60+ Instructors

70,000+ Lessons taught

4.9/5 Average lesson rating

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find a good drum teacher in Minnesota?

Choose a teacher whose approach fits your goals, age and learning style, and who can help you build steady timing and technique. Lesson With You offers one-on-one weekly Zoom lessons with teachers who hold at least a bachelor's degree in percussion, and you can choose someone yourself or ask us to recommend one.

Do live video drum lessons really work?

Yes, a teacher can hear your timing and dynamics and watch your hands during a live Zoom lesson, then give feedback as you play. A clear camera view and a workable practice setup help, and weekly lessons avoid a commute while keeping the same teacher involved.

When do Minnesota schools start teaching drums?

Most school band routes begin in fifth or sixth grade, and drums are learned as part of the band's percussion section. Some Minneapolis elementary schools and Capitol Hill in Saint Paul start band in fifth grade, while North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District 622 starts in sixth.

How does a drummer reach Minnesota's top student honors?

A Minnesota percussionist can audition for MMEA All-State Band as a sophomore or junior, with a sponsoring teacher submitting a video audition. The student must remain in good standing in a secondary-school band through the February performance, and homeschool students need shared-time band participation.

Can homeschool students enter Minnesota music contests?

Yes, resident homeschool students may participate in their district's extracurricular activities on the same basis as public school students. To audition for MMEA All-State percussion, a homeschooled student must join the corresponding secondary-school band through shared-time participation.

What age should a child start drum lessons?

A child can start when they can follow a steady beat and focus for short practice periods, often before fifth-grade band begins. Lessons before school band build coordination and rhythm reading so the child is ready to join when the district offers it.

Is it too late to learn drums as an adult in Minnesota?

No, adults can start or return to drumming at any age and build toward playing with others. A teacher can meet you where you are and help you develop the timing, reading and coordination needed for your goals.

How much are drum lessons in Minnesota?

Drum lessons in Minnesota typically cost about $71 an hour, or $33 to $52 for a half hour. Lesson With You charges per lesson with no term to sign up for, and the first lesson is free.

Drum lesson prices across Minnesota

Meet a Drum Teacher in Minnesota Before Weekly Lessons

Find Your Next Drum Instructor in Minnesota

Colin Rosso

Eric Weidman

How drum learning works in Minnesota

How does drum fit school music in Minnesota?

Who runs what for Minnesota drummers?

Auditions and events in Minnesota

How does a drummer reach Minnesota's top student honors?

What do auditions ask you to prepare?

What else is there to enter?

Homeschool and private school students

Starting at any age

Starting a child on drum

A teen in Minnesota

Starting or coming back as an adult

Finding the right teacher

What should a good drum teacher do?

How do live online drum lessons work?

Drum in Minnesota

Where to hear drum

Where to play with others

Drum around Minnesota, area by area

Minneapolis area

Duluth area

Rochester area

Mankato area

Faribault area

Owatonna area

Willmar area

A little drum history in Minnesota

Start Drum Lessons With a Free Trial

More for Minnesota

Frequently Asked Questions