Caleb van Gelder

Caleb van Gelder is a drummer/percussionist and multi-instrumentalist, focusing on healing, jazz, world, experimental, and electronic music as a composer, collaborator, and educator. He has developed a prolific career as a performer and educator, having performed with the likes of Carole King, Camila Meza, Ryan Keberle, and Azar Lawrence, while maintaining a fervent and diverse teaching schedule the past 16 years. His music education experience includes directing general music and concert band programs at Sussex School and Seeley Lake Elementary in Montana, working with special needs children with Center for Music by People with Disabilities program, in Missoula, MT, as well as private piano and percussion lessons with youth and adults alike. Living in New York City since 2016, Caleb has been a teaching artist for Timbalooloo (2 years), currently teaches for Marquis Studios, focusing on the D75 (special needs population), and Barrow Street Nursery (ages 2-5). Caleb’s education work focuses on a vast range of topics, including general and world music studies, concert band, choir, West African drumming, Latin percussion, drum set, songwriting, and music production (recording, mixing, mastering, and sound design).

What parents and teachers say about Caleb's classes:

“Trustworthy, very talented, wonderful with kids , creative. Caleb is an asset to any school and his music program is a must.”

Joni Christie, Arts Teacher AT PS224Q, Flushing, NY USA

“Caleb Van Gelder’s passion for music, teaching and percussion are beyond exuberant!! His use of creativity within teaching pedagogy brings life and brilliance to his teaching.”

- Matthew Nord, Tangled Tones Music Studio, Missoula, MT USA

“In Caleb’s engaging music lessons, students have the opportunity to experiment with different percussion instruments, drumming techniques and digital music tools. He writes curricula that integrates music into academia subjects such as math and excels at creating an inclusive space for students of all abilities.

– Amy Appleton, Program Director at Creative Art Works, Former Director of Education at Marquis Studios, Brooklyn, NY USA

“Caleb is a wonderful children’s music teacher. Engaging, patient, and very talented. My daughter loves singing and making music with him in class and virtually”

-Jennifer Rosenthal, parent , New York, NY

We have had the pleasure of having Caleb van Gelder as our daughter’s music teacher these past 3 years. He has the ability to captivate the children’s attention when he presents all different styles of music.”

• Wendy Amsterdam, parent, New York, NY

My music classes are tailored to the desires and needs of each student. No matter what age, ability, or experience level, there is always a way to teach music successfully to anyone with the desire to learn. I pivot from the four tenants that I have used successfully for more than a decade: imitation, exploration, improvisation, and composition, and work with each individual to bring out their very best. Whether we are learning djembe, snare drum rudiments, drum set coordination, basic piano, music production, or composition, these four tenants give us the learning ground we need to master any musical skill!