Chris Sawyer Bio

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Chris Sawyer is a dynamic drum, percussion, and piano teacher based in Austin, TX. 

Chris was an All-State percussionist in high school, played drumset and vibraphone in the jazz band, and marched tenors with the Connally Cougar band and Indoor Drumline. After graduating with honors, Chris achieved his goal of attending the prestigious North Texas College of Music in Denton, TX, earning a degree in Music Education in 2008. Chris received world class instruction from Mark Ford, Paul Rennick, Christopher Deane, and Ed Smith on a variety of percussion instruments and styles, while performing in a diversity of ensembles. Chris was a member of the 2005 UNT Drumline exhibition at PASIC in Indianapolis, and was a performer on the UNT 2:00 Steel Drum Band's 2007 album "Special Brew"

Chris has been living, teaching, and playing in his hometown of Austin, TX since 2008. He initially spent 4 years as a middle school band director, and now has 12+ years as a private instructor working with schools and organizations in Austin and surrounding school districts. Chris has experience playing classical and jazz piano, marching and concert percussion, steel drums, African hand drumming, South Indian konnakal, Latin American and Brazilian musical styles, and all pitched percussion instruments including marimba, vibraphone, and keyboards. 

Chris performs on drums regularly with local indie band DD Dagger and Brazil-inspired community group Austin Samba. He has recorded albums with Continental Drift, an Austin TX based Afrobeat collective, and DD Dagger's 2023 release "Wishing Well". His current side projects include composing for percussion, restoring vintage instruments, experimenting with electronic music, and developing jazz piano chops for personal enjoyment. 

Chris has established consistent lesson methods and utilizes natural reward systems that motivate students to excel early and master their goals regularly. Lessons will always be fun and productive, leaving the student with a sense of empowerment, curiosity, and hopefully a desire to practice!

Chris resides in Austin, TX with his loving partner April and his fuzzy and playful cat, Hayzely.