Recommendations

Brian Gill

I have known Todd Ukena for eight years, but I have known OF Todd Ukena for 20+ years.  His reputation as a composer and educator has been well known throughout the international percussion community.  I had the honor of seeing it firsthand when he was a private instructor for my percussion students during my time as an educator in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Mr. Ukena exhibits a rare quality - that of an accomplished professional percussionist who maintains his performance craft at a high level.  He achieves this lifelong passion by constantly seeking more knowledge, experience, and opportunities to develop.  He is an effective and efficient communicator for all of his students, instilling his passion to exceed.  In short, his students never stop learning because he never stops learning.

Mr. Ukena gets to know each and every one of his students individually as a unique person with unique needs.  He then creates a custom style of teaching with a specific set of instructional goals so that each student has the opportunity to reach their highest potential.

If you are a parent of a percussionist and there is an opportunity for your child to learn from Todd Ukena...TAKE IT!  He is one of the greats!

Brian Gill
Assistant Principal  
Lake Belton High   School

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Todd Ukena was my daughter's private lesson teacher from sixth grade beginner band through her senior year in high school.  Mr. Ukena's unique and innovative lesson techniques quickly made him one of my daughter's favorite teachers. He ensured she learned the proper techniques, but made it fun for her. He not only taught her percussion techniques, but was genuinely interested in her life outside of band. 

Each of his percussion students became among the best in the band program in our district, also ranking high in Region Bands and Solo contests. My daughter won two Outstanding Soloist medals, a result of Mr. Ukena's lessons through the years.

If you are looking for an innovative, effective percussion lesson teacher, look no further than Todd Ukena.

Mary Tatum

parent

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I was Mr. Ukena’s student throughout all of middle school and high school and I have only positive things to say about him. The instruction I received during these seven years was of an exceptional quality and was always changing, matching the areas I was focused on and growing more advanced as I gained more experience. 

While I was a student, we covered a wide variety of topics and material focused on creating a well rounded percussionist while still allowing me to have greater focus on the areas that interested me the most. On top of all this, Mr. Ukena was always extremely kind, professional, and dedicated to making sure I received the best instruction possible all with a light and fun approach.

 I am confident that I would not be the musician that I am today without Mr. Ukena’s instruction, and highly recommend him as a teacher for any level of student. 

Cole Stephens

Granbury HS graduate

2019

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In most cases, bridging the gap between self-taught and being properly/classically trained can be very challenging. This tends to happen because the student is already advanced in his/her playing. This creates a lot of layers to navigate through. The student must be willing to walk through the process without giving into their “natural” talent or their “ear”, and your perspective teacher must have a unique skill set, and a lot of patience to handle the delicate balance of those two worlds. For me, that man was Todd Ukena.

My story with Mr. Ukena began at my elementary school talent show, I think. I’m getting too old to remember Lol… Fast forward to Jr. High. I’m in the school band, Mr. Ukena is one of the band directors, and I was his “Prized Pupil!” LOL… He knew I could play drums, but we didn’t have a Jazz band. However, our High School did, and he was the director. He started inviting me to their rehearsals and would let me sit in. I also performed with him, a few times I believe, during some of their concerts. Mr. Ukena played keys/piano, extremely well I might add, and he had this synthesizer, a Sequential Circuit Six-Trak I believe (which was also my first introduction to playing with a Sequencer). He had figured out how to sequence a song on it. So he wrote this kind of fusion jazz number, and asked me to perform it with him. That was truly an Amazing experience!

There were also times when he’d let my “ear” lead the way. One time at this Christmas Concert we did, I was on bells with 2-3 other people. We played “Angels We Have Heard On High”, and there’s this counter melody in the chorus that I just decided to start playing, for whatever reason. It sounded cool, so Mr. Ukena let it ride. LOL!! I tried to play what the chart said, but my ear kept saying, “that other line sounds better!” Hilarious… 

I mentioned these stories because I feel it’s absolutely imperative to have a teacher that really knows exactly what each student needs, and knows how to structure/organize their lessons so that they can learn in a way that best suits them individually. In my case that meant creating special opportunities for me to express my natural talent as well as what I was being taught. Though I was pretty quick at picking things up, he still knew exactly how and when to push me. He knew my ear was my default/cheat sometimes vs reading the chart (properly learning the parts), so he really helped me break that habit. That balance of knowing how to properly motivate, encourage, and pull greatness out of you, are just some of Mr. Ukena’s many strengths.

I can tell you from personal experience that you will not find a more giving, devoted, qualified, and gifted teacher than Mr. Ukena. He’s a Master as his craft, and by that I mean, Google him. Lol! He’s the real deal, and he continues to learn and grow so that he can help aspiring drummers, percussionists, musicians of all ages and/or skill levels, become the absolute best they can be. I can’t imagine what kind of drummer/musician I’d be if it weren’t for Mr. Ukena's guidance, and amazing tutelage. I still use things I learned from him to this very day. That’s the kind of teacher you want! So do yourself a favor and sign up for his lessons. Become the best you can be by learning from the best… You’ll be so glad you did… 

- Jason “JT” Thomas

(Snarky Puppy/Mark Lettieri Trio/FORQ)  

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Todd Ukena is a master at his craft and someone I learned so much from as a teacher of the arts over the years. His passion for students is what drives his success and his ability to unlock the potential of each one of them. In Todd's mind, each student is unique and the journey to achievement is unlocked through his unyielding desire to help them become the best that they can be. 

One of the aspects that makes Mr. Ukena such a great teacher is his ability to remain a constant learner. After years of being in the profession, he is still a sponge for knowledge, wanting more and seeking more information and tools to equip his students. He pushes himself to adhere to each student's learning style. 

He doesn't just teach the content, he assures understanding and comprehension of the content. His students know more than a wealth of information but a skill for learning and understanding that keeps them learning, long after his students leave. 

There are no roadblocks with Todd. If there isn't material out there that is specifically tailored to his students struggle or learning style he creates it. Todd has composed and compiled so much material based on his students' needs and gaps. His students are what influence his content and desire to bridge the space that current material doesn't cover.

In the most innovative, passionate, and inspiring ways, Todd is a fantastic educator and master at what he does. Any student should be lucky to have such an influence in their corner.  

Tanner Trigg

Hebron HS Percussion Director  2015-2018

Aledo HS  Percussion Director  2011-2015

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In the past six years that I have been in percussion I have had many different teachers and influences; however, Mr. Ukena stands out from all the others. His drive to make the person he is working with better is unmatched. He has worked with me for six years now and I have loved every bit of it. From his persistence to his encouragement, his charisma makes his lessons one of a kind, and something I looked forward to every week. He really took the time to get to know me personally and even helped me by advising me in situations in my life. All of the mornings he would walk into the band hall he would always greet his students with a smile and ask us how we were doing. This always made me feel like I had a friend as well as a lesson teacher with Mr. Ukena.

Although his personality is great, he is also a master of his craft. For all age groups, he makes the material he is teaching easy to understand. He provides very helpful advice in any area of percussion. Whether a student needs help on something, or there is a skill a student wants to improve, Mr. Ukena knows exactly how to help that student in their own personal way. He is experienced in both old school and modern styles of playing and uses both styles to further a student’s knowledge in percussion and make them a well-rounded student. 

Going through the grade levels in percussion I had many dreams. For example, two of my dreams were to make the snare line of the high school drumline and to be the drumline captain at some point. With Mr. Ukena’s help, I accomplish both goals and many more. Whether it be all region success, or success on my solo, Mr. Ukena helped me through any problem I had. I recommend ever student who gets the opportunity to take lesson from him should jump on that opportunity.

Ryan Cazares

Aledo HS graduate 2020

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 Todd Ukena was my lesson teacher for seven years while I was a part of Granbury High School’s percussion program. I would highly recommend investing in his private lessons to help your child develop correct playing techniques, and the basics of percussion. Not only is he able to help beginners, but he also teaches lessons all the way through high school. Moreover, he has helped me learn and perform many audition pieces and solos to the best of my ability through my senior year. I can confidently say that he had a positive impact on my playing abilities, as well as my entire school experience. Seeing Mr. Ukena for my lessons never failed to brighten up my week!

 His approach to teaching incorporates a relaxed, low pressure environment that makes it easy to enjoy drumming. Not only does Mr. Ukena make it a point to commit to his students in regards to their percussive studies, but he also makes personal connections with all of his students. 

Furthermore, this connection also allows his students to enjoy their lesson and always have a trusted adult that they can go to in time of need. Overall, I highly recommend Mr. Ukena as a private lesson teacher for your student whether they are a beginner or a high school student wanting to further improve their percussive skills. 

Amerson Meyers

Granbury HS graduate 2020

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I will never forget the first time I met Mr. Ukena. To give a little bit of background on myself, I was in the 7th grade and a member of the top band at Aledo Middle School. I was arguably the best player in my grade, and was subsequently very confident and cocky about my playing. A TMEA All-Region Contest was set to be held in early February, and the directing staff wanted to provide a clinic in which the private lesson teachers would demonstrate how to professionally play the audition material. Low and behold, Mr. Ukena was the percussion clinician, and he had about 30 of us around a snare drum and was asking for volunteers to play the snare audition. Being as confident as I was, I was very eager to play the piece for him and to show the others how great I sounded. After I finished the piece, Mr. Ukena made some suggestions about my playing that I did not like at all. In fact, the day after the clinic, I went up to my percussion director and asked what his opinions were on Mr. Ukena’s suggestions. Of course, my director told me to trust Mr. Ukena and to try his ideas come audition day. I was reluctant, but finally agreed to use the techniques that Mr. Ukena taught me. Sure enough, I ended up having the best audition in the entire region, and earned first chair. I was very excited, but also humbled by Mr. Ukena’s teachings on that clinic day. From then on, I never doubted Mr. Ukena’s advice again. Although I was not able to switch to his lesson schedule that year, I immediately switched over to him for my 8th grade year. Consequently, I ended up getting first chair in the region that year as well, and that was all thanks to Mr. Ukena’s advice. 

Mr. Ukena’s lessons not only helped me in the concert percussion world, but the marching world as well. As a kid, I was always interested in the world of marching percussion, and as I grew older, that interest turned into an obsession. Mr. Ukena recognized this during my 8th grade year, and did a very important thing. He asked me, “what do you want to work on?”, which is a question that is surprisingly not often asked by the school’s private lesson teachers. I told Mr. Ukena that I really wanted to be on the drum line my freshman year, and that I would like to work on material that would help me reach my goal of playing the tenor drums. For the rest of the year, we spent countless hours working through marching snare drum and other rudimentary exercises. When the time came for the annual solo contest, Mr. Ukena also suggested that I play a very advanced snare drum solo along with the required marimba solo. There is no question that without his guidance and dedication, I would not have gotten my dream spot in the drum line. Mr. Ukena went on to support me and my playing throughout my high school years, as he helped me secure a spot in multiple types of region band contests, helped me get the lead drum set role for the jazz band, and helped me earn the spot of drum line captain. He continually pushed me to better myself in a way that not only challenged me, but in a way that made me truly passionate about drums. 

Towards the end of my high school career, I was very much looking forward to college marching band and the experiences that it held. Most colleges do not take their marching band programs very seriously, and the audition process for most schools is quite easy compared to high school. Unfortunately for me, I chose to go to The Ohio State University, a school that takes their marching band very seriously and one that has an incredibly challenging audition process. Mr. Ukena could tell that I desperately wanted to be a member of their band, as I would show him videos of the band almost every week. From that moment on, we worked on something Ohio State related every lesson, and I give him and his advice a lot of credit for helping me make the Ohio State marching band. After I made the band, Mr. Ukena would always watch the Ohio State football games just so he could text me a picture of myself on national television. He continued to keep in touch with me throughout college, and inspired me to teach at a local high school, where I taught many of his techniques to my students. 

Overall, Mr. Ukena is not only a fantastic instructor, but someone who truly cares about his students’ wellbeing. He has been an important person in my development not only as a player, but as a person. I sincerely hope you and your student decide to take lessons from him, as he is one of the finest instructors in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. 

Ryan Dunson

Aledo HS graduate 2016

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Mr. Ukena was my private lesson instructor for most of my musical career. He has a great sense of humor and does very well with encouraging his students. He holds each of us to a high standard and expects us to work hard. Mr. Ukena does an excellent job at meeting students where they are at and pushing them to become better percussionists. 

He knows a lot about everything it seems like, and shares his knowledge with anyone willing to listen. He has a great personality and loves to talk about your dreams and is willing to give advice about unrelated things if necessary. I could tell that he wanted me to be successful and I tried my best not to disappoint him. 

He cares about each and every one of his students and it’s not hard to tell. If I had to do it again, I would pick him every single time.

Alyssa Hickerson

Aledo HS graduate  2019

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I took lessons from Mr. Ukena from seventh grade until I graduated high school. I fully credit him for helping me accomplish all I did as a percussionist. I had fantastic school percussion directors, but not one of them could compete with the individual time and attention Mr. Ukena gave me. His genuine commitment to me and my learning as a student was evident in everything he did. He took the time to get to know me as a person, not just a student. 

He let my pacing dictate the lessons. He let my interests and goals dictate how we would spend our time. It was incredibly beneficial to me to have that set time to work on what I knew I needed, and it had proven effects of success. I made the all-region band every year of high school, advancing to area twice. Twice I was selected as an outstanding solo musician at the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Competition. I was in the top band ensemble in the school every single year. Almost eight years later I still play in my college band, and I credit that and all my successes to Mr. Ukena’s guidance. 

I strongly recommend his teaching not simply because he will help students learn, but because he will take a genuine interest in students as a person and teach much more than percussion.

Elissa Tatum

Aledo HS graduate 2018

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As a student of Mr. Ukena, I gained great and useful knowledge about percussion and how to apply these learning tactics to everyday life. Mr. Ukena has taught me not only to take things slow and figure it out, but also how to push beyond my limit and reach higher standards. I enjoyed having Mr. Ukena as a lesson teacher and a great friend.

Phil Tilleman 

Granbury HS graduate 2019

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Todd Ukena is a leader in his field and well respected as a composer and percussion instructor. 

As my son’s private instructor, he expertly guided him to be highly competitive in his field. He is innovative and pushes himself and his students to be in a continuous state of growth. Mr. Ukena arranged for outside lessons with university professors and gave my son an outstanding foundation for his current path of percussion studies at The University of North Texas. 

As a music educator myself, I understand the importance of having a quality private instructor, especially when the student aspires to study music at the university level. 

I highly recommend Todd Ukena and we are very thankful for the outstanding influence he had on our son.

Elizabeth Woody Baker

Mary Martin Elementary Music Director

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I am SO thankful I had Mr. Ukena as a lesson instructor! He brought such a depth of knowledge and energy to his lessons that I didn’t find in any other instructors during my seven year career as a percussionist.

I smile thinking back to some of the funnest lessons we had over the summers when there wasn’t much to prepare for and we got to spend time pushing my hands to crazy tempos and just drum for the enjoyment of it. I could feel just how passionate he was about percussion and it made my learning so much more exciting. 

He cared not only about me as a percussionist, but also me as a person, and I’m very grateful I got to learn from him. 

Zac Steer

Aledo HS graduate 2014

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