ABC Academy of Music

Lessons & Classes

for All Ages

Gordon Fry

Toronto Drum Kit and Percussion Teacher

Gordon Fry2022-09-09T15:05:59-04:00

M.Mus (UofT) in-progress
B.Mus (Eastman)

Gordon is a percussionist and educator interested in performing, creating, and engaging within a multitude of musical styles, invested in how music might be embodied in a variety of forms through joyful exploration.

From Tampa, Florida, Gordon became acquainted with music through piano lessons, eventually moving on to drum set and marching percussion in high school. In 2019, Gordon completed his undergraduate studies at the Eastman School of Music under the tutelage of Michael Burritt. At Eastman Gordon performed and premiered works with the Eastman Wind Ensemble, Eastman Percussion Ensemble, and Musica Nova in addition to serving for two years on the board of the student-led new music ensemble, Ossia.

He is also interested in the intersection between music and technology and has contributed to creative projects with the Eastman Audio Research Studio and the University of Toronto Percussion Ensemble.

Gordon is currently working towards completing his Master’s degree at the University of Toronto under the instruction of Aiyun Huang.

Get to know Gordon…Beyond the Bio!

Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends, watching movies, reading, spending time outside, tossing a frisbee and playing Spikeball

Musical influences: Rush, Mutemath, Max Roach, My Brightest Diamond, Son Lux, Rachel Podger, Michael Burritt, Steve Schick, Paul Rennick, Sarah Kirkland Snider, Jess Ray, Mark Andre…

Favourite food: Kanafeh (Middle-Eastern dessert)

Least favourite food: Brussel sprouts

Favourite music: Rock, Jazz, Contemporary Classical, Indie-folk, Electronic

Favourite song: One favorite is Humble Heart by Jess Ray

Favourite movie: Another favorite is Tree of Life by Terrence Malick

Favourite movie music: Bernard Herman in Vertigo, Ennio Morricone in Once Upon a Time in the West

Favourite musical theatre/opera: Hamilton, Invisible Cities by Christopher Cerrone

Best quote from your teacher: “Listen…”

Favourite quote: Romans 8:37-39

Favourite book: The Giver by Lois Lowry

Best thing about teaching at ABC: Sharing music with the students.

Latest Homework from Gordon

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Preferred Books for Gordon’s Students

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STICK CONTROL

Cover of Stick Control for the Modern Drummer

George Lawrence Stone’s Stick Control is the bible of drumming. In 1993, Modern Drummer magazine named the book one of the top 25 books of all-time. In the words of the author, it is the ideal book for improving: control, speed, flexibility, touch, rhythm, lightness, delicacy, power, endurance, preciseness of execution and muscular coordination, with extra attention given to the development of the weak hand.

Reading, Rudiments, and Rock Drumming

Cover of Joel Rothman's Reading, Rudiments, and Rock Drumming book

This beginner book contains the basic 3 R’s of drumming-Reading, Rudiments, and Rock, in an easy to learn format.

Intermediate Snare Drum Studies

The Art of Bop Drumming

Cover of The Art of Bop Drumming by John Riley

The definitive book on bop drumming—a style that is both the turning point and the cornerstone of contemporary music’s development. This comprehensive book and audio presentation covers time playing, comping, soloing, brushes, more jazz essentials, and charts in an entertaining mix of text, music, and pertinent quotes.

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