Drum Lessons in Wisconsin

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

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

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

Drum lesson prices across Wisconsin

A one-hour drum lesson in Wisconsin typically costs $58 to $84, and a half hour $32 to $46. Most towns sit close to that range. The River Falls area runs highest, up to $96 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
Milwaukee area
Milwaukee	$32–$49	$59–$89	Lessons Costs
Waukesha	$32–$48	$59–$87	Lessons Costs
West Allis	$32–$49	$59–$89	Lessons Costs
Wauwatosa	$32–$48	$59–$88	Lessons Costs
Brookfield	$32–$47	$58–$85	Lessons Costs
New Berlin	$32–$46	$58–$84	Lessons Costs
Menomonee Falls	$32–$46	$58–$85	Lessons Costs
Greenfield	$32–$48	$59–$88	Lessons Costs
Oak Creek	$32–$46	$58–$85	Lessons Costs
Franklin	$32–$46	$58–$84	Lessons Costs
West Bend	$32–$48	$59–$88	Lessons Costs
Muskego	$32–$46	$58–$84	Lessons Costs
Mequon	$32–$46	$58–$83	Lessons Costs
Germantown	$32–$46	$58–$84	Lessons Costs
South Milwaukee	$32–$48	$59–$88	Lessons Costs
Oconomowoc	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Cudahy	$32–$48	$59–$88	Lessons Costs
Hartford	$32–$49	$59–$89	Lessons Costs
Whitefish Bay	$32–$49	$59–$90	Lessons Costs
Greendale	$32–$48	$59–$87	Lessons Costs
Glendale	$32–$47	$59–$87	Lessons Costs
Shorewood	$32–$49	$59–$90	Lessons Costs
Port Washington	$32–$49	$59–$90	Lessons Costs
Cedarburg	$32–$48	$59–$88	Lessons Costs
Brown Deer	$32–$48	$59–$87	Lessons Costs
Grafton	$32–$48	$59–$88	Lessons Costs
Sussex	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Richfield	$32–$45	$58–$82	Lessons Costs
Lisbon	$32–$45	$58–$82	Lessons Costs
Madison area
Madison	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Sun Prairie	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Fitchburg	$32–$47	$58–$85	Lessons Costs
Middleton	$32–$47	$59–$86	Lessons Costs
Waunakee	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Verona	$32–$46	$58–$84	Lessons Costs
Stoughton	$32–$48	$59–$87	Lessons Costs
Oregon	$32–$48	$59–$88	Lessons Costs
DeForest	$32–$46	$58–$84	Lessons Costs
Monroe	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Green Bay area
Green Bay	$32–$45	$58–$82	Lessons Costs
De Pere	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Howard	$31–$44	$58–$80	Lessons Costs
Ashwaubenon	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Bellevue	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Allouez	$31–$44	$58–$81	Lessons Costs
Suamico	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Hobart	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Appleton area
Appleton	$31–$44	$58–$80	Lessons Costs
Kaukauna	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Harrison	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Greenville	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Little Chute	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Racine area
Racine	$32–$48	$59–$87	Lessons Costs
Mount Pleasant	$32–$45	$58–$82	Lessons Costs
Caledonia	$31–$44	$58–$81	Lessons Costs
Burlington	$32–$46	$58–$84	Lessons Costs
Kenosha area
Kenosha	$33–$51	$60–$94	Lessons Costs
Pleasant Prairie	$32–$49	$59–$89	Lessons Costs
Salem Lakes	$32–$48	$59–$88	Lessons Costs
Oshkosh area
Oshkosh	$31–$44	$58–$80	Lessons Costs
Neenah	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Fox Crossing	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Menasha	$31–$44	$58–$81	Lessons Costs
La Crosse area
La Crosse	$32–$45	$58–$82	Lessons Costs
Onalaska	$31–$44	$58–$81	Lessons Costs
Holmen	$31–$44	$58–$81	Lessons Costs
Eau Claire area
Eau Claire	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Chippewa Falls	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Janesville area
Janesville	$31–$44	$58–$81	Lessons Costs
Beloit	$32–$45	$58–$82	Lessons Costs
Wausau area
Wausau	$32–$46	$58–$85	Lessons Costs
Weston	$32–$45	$58–$82	Lessons Costs
Manitowoc area
Manitowoc	$31–$44	$58–$80	Lessons Costs
Two Rivers	$31–$44	$58–$80	Lessons Costs
River Falls area
River Falls	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Hudson	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
New Richmond	$33–$51	$60–$93	Lessons Costs
Stevens Point area
Stevens Point	$32–$46	$58–$83	Lessons Costs
Plover	$32–$45	$58–$83	Lessons Costs
Wisconsin Rapids area
Wisconsin Rapids	$32–$45	$58–$83	Lessons Costs
Marshfield	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Watertown area
Watertown	$32–$46	$58–$83	Lessons Costs
Fort Atkinson	$32–$45	$58–$83	Lessons Costs
Beaver Dam area
Beaver Dam	$32–$45	$58–$82	Lessons Costs
Waupun	$31–$44	$57–$80	Lessons Costs
Other Wisconsin towns
Baraboo	$32–$45	$58–$82	Lessons Costs
Fond du Lac	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Marinette	$32–$47	$59–$87	Lessons Costs
Menomonie	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Platteville	$32–$48	$59–$87	Lessons Costs
Sheboygan	$31–$44	$58–$80	Lessons Costs
Superior	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Whitewater	$32–$45	$58–$82	Lessons Costs

Meet a Drum Teacher in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin.

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 Wisconsin

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

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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin via Zoom

Available:SMTWTFSMorningAfternoonEvening

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

Book Free Trial with Eric

How drum learning works in Wisconsin

How does drum fit school music in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin schools provide music instruction through elementary and middle grades, but the age for joining band differs by district. Band begins in fifth grade in Sheboygan Area School District, while Franklin Middle School in Green Bay and DeLong Middle School in Eau Claire offer it in sixth; LakeView K-8 in Kenosha starts in fifth. Drums fit the percussion section, so a student can build steady time and reading skills privately before band begins, then bring them into school rehearsals.

When school music starts in Wisconsin districts

Green Bay Area Public School DistrictBand at franklin middle school6th grade

Appleton Area School DistrictBand at houdini elementary6th grade

Kenosha Unified School DistrictBand at lakeview k-85th grade

Eau Claire Area School DistrictBand at delong middle school6th grade

School District of La CrosseBand6th grade

Sheboygan Area School DistrictBeginning band5th grade

School District of JanesvilleBeginning band6th grade

West Allis-West Milwaukee School DistrictElementary band5th grade

Who runs what for Wisconsin drummers?

Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) runs district Solo & Ensemble Festivals, where a drum set player can earn a Class A starred first rating and advance to the State Festival. The Wisconsin Music Teachers Association (WMTA) also sponsors district and state auditions, including private-studio students, while the Wisconsin Music Educators Association (WMEA) supports music educators and student opportunities. For percussionists, the Wisconsin Concert Band Association (WCBA) offers All-State High School and Junior Band opportunities, so families can distinguish school-based pathways from association events.

Who runs what in Wisconsin

Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA)

Runs: Runs district and state Solo & Ensemble Festivals and State Honors.
For: School and eligible homeschool students in grades 6–12.

Wisconsin Music Teachers Association (WMTA)

Runs: Sponsors district and state student auditions, including private-studio entries.
For: Students in grades 1–12.

Wisconsin Music Educators Association (WMEA)

Runs: Supports music education through educator resources and student opportunities.
For: Students and music educators statewide.

Wisconsin Music Educators Association (WMEA) Band Council

Runs: Supports wind and percussion students and band educators.
For: Band students of all ages and abilities.

Wisconsin Concert Band Association (WCBA)

Runs: Offers All-State High School and Junior Band opportunities.
For: High school and junior band students.

Auditions and events in Wisconsin

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

For a Wisconsin drummer, the clearest school route begins with district WSMA Solo & Ensemble in grades 6–12. A drum set student performs for an adjudicator, and a Class A starred first rating earns a place at the State Festival, held in late April or early May. High school percussionists in grades 9–11 can also audition for WSMA High School State Honors, provided they are regular members of an ensemble at a WSMA member school. Auditions are in February; selected percussionists attend band camp in June and rehearse and perform in Madison in October. These steps make school ensemble participation the foundation for the state's highest student honor.

The drum route in Wisconsin, step by step

District Solo & EnsembleGrades 6–12 drum set players perform at a district festival; festivals run November and January through April.
State Solo & Ensemble qualificationA Class A starred first rating at the district festival qualifies a student to advance.
High School State Honors auditionEligible grades 9–11 students audition in February; selected percussionists attend camp in June and perform in Madison in October.

The Wisconsin drum year

AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJul

WSMA District Solo & Ensemble FestivalWisconsin School Music AssociationStart the piece May to Aug

Start the piece May to AugNov

WSMA Middle Level State HonorsWisconsin School Music AssociationStart the piece Oct to Jan

Start the piece Oct to JanApr 3

WSMA State Solo & Ensemble FestivalWisconsin School Music AssociationStart the piece Oct to Jan

Start the piece Oct to JanApr 24

Working on the event piece, 3 to 6 monthsEvent

What do auditions ask you to prepare?

Wisconsin percussion auditions ask for focused preparation rather than a long recital. For WSMA High School State Honors, you perform an unaccompanied three-minute solo excerpt; percussionists have a 15-minute audition interval and bring their own mallets, sticks and brushes, while drums, timpani and marimba are provided. A teacher can help select and shape an excerpt, then build consistency and control over several months. In weekly lessons, three to six months is a reasonable preparation window for an event piece, especially when you are balancing school band music too.

Homeschool and private school students

Homeschool students can participate in a Wisconsin public school district's extracurricular music activities on the same basis as district pupils, with usual participation fees. WSMA also allows homeschool families to obtain family membership so eligible students in grades 6–12 can enter district Solo & Ensemble; a Class A starred first rating can lead to State Festival. High school State Honors eligibility is narrower and requires membership in a school ensemble, but homeschoolers can also form a band for ROCKONSIN, open to grades 7–12.

Starting at any age

Starting a child on drum

Many children are ready to begin drums around age six or seven, when they can follow a steady beat and coordinate both hands and feet. Wisconsin schools often begin band in fifth or sixth grade, so private lessons can give your child a head start on rhythm, basic notation and practice habits before that choice arrives. A teacher can begin with sticks and a practice pad, then build toward a drum set as coordination grows, while continuing to support school band once it starts.

A teen in Wisconsin

A teen can start drums without waiting for a school opening, then use private study to prepare for band or percussion opportunities. Wisconsin school band begins as early as fifth grade in some districts and sixth in others, while WSMA High School State Honors auditions take place in February for grades 9–11. Weekly lessons give you or your child a steady place to work alongside rehearsals and school demands, with a teacher helping keep technique moving forward through the audition season.

Starting or coming back as an adult

Adults in Wisconsin can join New Horizons Music Fox Valley in Appleton, which welcomes players of any experience without an audition, or attend an open house for New Horizons Band of Southeast Wisconsin in Waukesha. Cedarburg Civic Band also welcomes adult players for its seasonal rehearsals and concerts. It is not too late to begin or return; a teacher can meet you at your current level and help you build the skills to play with others.

Finding the right teacher

What should a good drum teacher do?

A good drum teacher helps you develop timing, control and a sound technique while choosing music that matches your goals, age and personality. For a Wisconsin student considering band or WSMA auditions, that includes learning to prepare a short solo excerpt and handling the instruments and accessories percussionists bring. Fit matters because the right pace keeps a child engaged and helps an adult return without feeling behind. Lesson With You lets you choose a teacher yourself or ask us to recommend one, and every teacher holds at least a bachelor's degree in percussion.

How do live online drum lessons work?

A live Zoom drum lesson gives your teacher real-time feedback on your timing, stick control and coordination, while you hear and respond as you play. Set a phone or computer where the teacher can see your hands and enough of the kit to follow your movement; a practice pad works well when space is limited. Your lesson is one-on-one each week with a dedicated teacher who gets to know how you learn, without a commute and with access to a teacher who fits rather than whoever is closest. Students in Milwaukee and Verona have the same choice of teacher and lesson.

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 Wisconsin

Where to hear drum

Across Wisconsin, student listeners have several ways to hear percussion in context. In Madison, the Wisconsin Union Theater presents classical and jazz performances during its 2026–27 season, while Madison Opera stages three operas each year and offers eligible students rush tickets for under $21. In Eau Claire, Tuesday Night Blues brings free live music every Tuesday from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with all ages welcome. These different settings help you or your child hear how rhythm supports many kinds of live performance.

Where to play with others

Percussionists have several ensemble routes beyond school band. Students in grades 8–12 can join the UW–Milwaukee Youth Wind Ensemble and Percussion Program, which rehearses in fall and spring. Madison Community Orchestra welcomes percussionists, while Central Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra offers middle- and high-school students a symphonic performance experience. These groups serve different ages and settings, so you or your child can work toward playing with others in a wind ensemble, community orchestra or youth orchestra.

Drum around Wisconsin, area by area

Milwaukee area

Milwaukee offers young percussionists an ensemble route through Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, whose auditions include a prepared solo for percussion. For a concert outing, Festival City Symphony's Saturday Classics concerts are free, with a suggested $5 donation for children and students. Together, these options let a student hear orchestral percussion in performance and work toward playing it with a youth orchestra.

Town guides: Milwaukee, Waukesha, West Allis, Wauwatosa, Brookfield, New Berlin, Menomonee Falls, Greenfield

Madison area

In Madison, students can hear orchestral percussion at Madison Symphony Orchestra concerts, with student rush tickets available for $15. Free performances at Madison College include its World Drumming Ensemble, as well as band and orchestra groups. The range gives you or your child a chance to hear both ensemble percussion and world drumming without making every musical outing an expensive commitment.

School year: Sep 1 to Jun 10, 38 lesson weeks (Madison Metropolitan School District)
Town guides: Madison, Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, Middleton, Waunakee, Verona, Stoughton, Oregon

Green Bay area

Green Bay Youth Orchestras offers several youth orchestra levels, giving young musicians a local ensemble route to explore. For a listening outing, the Civic Symphony of Green Bay’s Music for Young Listeners concert in late February costs $7 per ticket, with scholarships available to reduce or cover student admission. It is a family-friendly way to hear orchestral music together.

School year: Aug 31 to Jun 3, 38 lesson weeks (Green Bay Area Public School District)
Town guides: Green Bay, De Pere, Howard, Ashwaubenon, Bellevue, Allouez, Suamico, Hobart

Appleton area

Appleton has a percussion opportunity for older students in the Valley Troubadours' Front Line Jazz Band, an audition-only group for ages 14 and up that includes set and auxiliary percussion. Mile of Music brings free original music to all-ages venues in downtown Appleton, so a young drummer can hear a range of live styles. Fox Valley Symphony concerts also offer student rush tickets on the day of the performance.

School year: Sep 1 to Jun 4, 38 lesson weeks (Appleton Area School District)
Town guides: Appleton, Kaukauna, Harrison, Greenville, Little Chute

Racine area

Racine offers a listening option beyond orchestral concerts: First Presbyterian Church's summer Music & More concerts are free and take place Thursdays at noon. For a drummer, the changing program offers a chance to hear how rhythm supports live music in a different setting. The series is a simple way for you or your child to make live listening part of a summer routine.

School year: Sep 1 to Jun 10, 39 lesson weeks (Racine Unified School District)
Town guides: Racine, Mount Pleasant, Caledonia, Burlington

Kenosha area

Kenosha's live music options include free concerts and recitals by Carthage College faculty and students in the county. UW–Parkside presents free Friday noon concerts during fall and spring semesters, with no ticket required. These performances give a young drummer a chance to hear live instrumental music while exploring a range of performance settings in Kenosha.

School year: Sep 1 to Jun 3, 37 lesson weeks (Kenosha Unified School District)
Town guides: Kenosha, Pleasant Prairie, Salem Lakes

Oshkosh area

Oshkosh Youth Symphony offers a youth orchestra route for percussionists, with audition materials for musicians entering its Symphony Orchestra. Adults who have finished high school can play with Oshkosh Area Community Band without an audition or membership fee. That gives families a youth ensemble option for a developing player and a welcoming community ensemble for an adult drummer.

School year: Sep 1 to Jun 3, 38 lesson weeks (Oshkosh Area School District)
Town guides: Oshkosh, Neenah, Fox Crossing, Menasha

La Crosse area

La Crosse offers free outdoor listening through Moon Tunes at Riverside Park and La Crosse Concert Band performances there on most Wednesday evenings in June and July. Da Capo Concert Band is another community ensemble in town, with a modest contribution requested at the start of each half-season. A percussionist can hear band repertoire in concert and see how community groups keep playing together.

School year: Aug 20 to May 28, 39 lesson weeks (School District of La Crosse)
Town guides: La Crosse, Onalaska, Holmen

A little drum history in Wisconsin

Wisconsin has a notable drum history through Viola Smith, born in Mount Calvary, who joined the Smith Sisters Orchestra as its drummer at 13 and later toured with the all-women jazz band The Coquettes. Madison's drum and bugle tradition reaches back to the Madison Scouts' formation in 1920 and first public performance in 1921. For students, this history shows percussion as both a vital ensemble role and a path to a distinct musical voice, from coordinated corps playing to expressive jazz drumming.

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 Wisconsin?

Choose a teacher whose approach fits your goals, experience and way of learning. Lesson With You offers one-on-one weekly Zoom lessons with a dedicated teacher, and you can choose one yourself or ask us to recommend a fit; every teacher has at least a bachelor's degree in percussion.

Do live video drum lessons really work?

Yes, live video lessons let a teacher hear your timing and see your hands and playing position in real time. With a camera aimed at your kit or practice pad, you receive direct feedback each week without commuting, and you can work with a teacher who fits rather than only the closest option.

When do Wisconsin schools start teaching drums?

Wisconsin schools teach music in elementary and middle grades, while band entry often begins in fifth or sixth grade. Sheboygan begins band in fifth grade, for example, while Franklin Middle School in Green Bay offers it in sixth, so drum lessons can build skills before school band starts.

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

The main route is through school ensemble participation and Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) events. A student can advance from district Solo & Ensemble with a Class A starred first rating, while eligible high school percussionists in grades 9–11 can audition for State Honors in February.

Can homeschool students enter Wisconsin music contests?

Yes, homeschool students can obtain WSMA family membership and enter district Solo & Ensemble in grades 6–12. A Class A starred first rating can advance to State Festival, and homeschool bands in grades 7–12 can also enter ROCKONSIN.

What age should a child start drum lessons?

Many children are ready around age six or seven, when they can coordinate both hands and follow a steady beat. Starting before fifth- or sixth-grade band gives your child time to develop rhythm and basic reading skills before joining a school ensemble.

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

No, adults can begin or return to drums at any age. Community groups such as Oshkosh Area Community Band and New Horizons Band of Southeast Wisconsin in Waukesha give adults a way to play with others, and lessons can start at your current level.

How much are drum lessons in Wisconsin?

Drum lessons in Wisconsin typically cost about $65 an hour, or $32 to $46 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 Wisconsin

Meet a Drum Teacher in Wisconsin Before Weekly Lessons

Find Your Next Drum Instructor in Wisconsin

Colin Rosso

Eric Weidman

How drum learning works in Wisconsin

How does drum fit school music in Wisconsin?

Who runs what for Wisconsin drummers?

Auditions and events in Wisconsin

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

What do auditions ask you to prepare?

Homeschool and private school students

Starting at any age

Starting a child on drum

A teen in Wisconsin

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 Wisconsin

Where to hear drum

Where to play with others

Drum around Wisconsin, area by area

Milwaukee area

Madison area

Green Bay area

Appleton area

Racine area

Kenosha area

Oshkosh area

La Crosse area

A little drum history in Wisconsin

Start Drum Lessons With a Free Trial

More for Wisconsin

Frequently Asked Questions