Damon Newsom

Salesman / Shipping / Customer Service / Phil Collins Impersonator

Damon has been an official member of the Bentleys team since 2010. Damon currently plays Mapex, Ludwig, (and soon) Odery drums and uses Sabian and Supernatural cymbals. Damon is always available and looking to be a part of new musical projects. Damon plans on going pro within weeks from now.

David Newman

instructor / honkey-tonk attached jazzman / photoshop prankster

David has been playing drums and percussion for over 20 years. He studied jazz and Western percussion at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he received his BA. His percussion credits include performances with the San Louis Obispo Symphony, Pacific Repertory Opera, San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival, and an appearance at Carnegie Hall. He also has extensive professional experience as a drummer in a variety of genres, including jazz, rock, latin, country, reggae and many more.

Chris Millar

Instructor / Blues Guy / Russian Enthusiest / Entrepreneur

Chris has been playing the drums since 1965 and has been a professional musician most of his life. He has had a lifetime of musical experience and has performed with jazz ensembles, rock bands, blues and soul bands, and symphony orchestras in addition to numerous studio dates. Chris has also toured throughout the US and has 23 European tours under his belt. Chris has been teaching for 28 years and has been at Bentley's for 19 years.

Aaron Wall

Instructor / Gentleman / The One and only mc awall

Aaron has been playing drums and latin percussion for over 15 years and has been teaching for 12 years. He played percussion in the Warner-Brothers movie "Torque" (2004). In 2003 he co-wrote the main title song for the Warner Brothers film "The Adventures of Pluto Nash", starring Eddie Murphy. He also composed / performed an original score for the film "The Next Grand Scheme" (2004). Aaron has played in jazz / salsa groups at Fresno State and Fresno City College. He is currently band leader of the group 40 Watt Hype.

 Jacob Page

Instructor

Jacob began his obsession with the drums as a student at Bentley’s Drum Shop at the age of nine. He is a passionate student of drum history, and prides himself on his ability to play in many styles. He plays in several local groups including “The Jazz Extension” as well as other performing groups. He never met a rudiment he didn't like and spends all of the money he earns teaching to feed his growing ride cymbal addiction.

Katie “Kate” Steinhauer

Instructor

Katie has had a love for music that started when she was very young. Katie has 14 years of playing experience and 6 years of teaching experience. She is trained in various styles on drum set, concert percussion (including mallets) and Latin percussion (including steel drums). Katie has played for many bands, orchestras and musicals, including “RENT” and “Hair”. For the past 7 years Katie has been involved as the drummer for the popular senior review “New Wrinkles.” As well as touring the western states, Katie broke out and toured the U.K. in 2009 with a Los Angeles based brass band, and this past October she also recorded with them. Katie has spent many summers teaching drums to inner city kids at non-profit camps. Currently, Katie holds the drum set chair for the FCC Jazz Big Band and Latin Jazz band and is also a member of the Spanish rock band “Distrito Torre”.

Matt Lopez

Instructor / USC Trojan Football Fan

Matt Lopez studied music at Fresno City College, Cal. State LA, and the L.A. Music Academy. For over 16 years, Matt has been playing drums including performances with various Jazz combos, Jazz Big Band, Afro-Latin Ensembles and Brazilian Ensembles. His biggest drumming influences are Jeff Porcaro, Carlos Vega, Chad Smith, and David Garibaldi. Besides teaching, Matt is currently working on leading his own jazz combo and writing new music.

Tyler Schaneman

Salesman / Customer Service / Shipping / Ebay / Website

Donald Johnson

Store Helper / Funky Drummer

Donald has been coming to the shop since he was 3 years old and finally picked up the sticks at 5. He has been a member of the Bentley's Drum Shop family since early 2010. He uses PDP drums and hardware and Zildjian Cymbals. His favorite drummer is Thomas Pridgen, and outside of drums he also plays piano.

Pete Ruacho

Events Specialist

Pete has been playing drums since the 5th grade, and has been part of the Bentley's Drum Shop Family for 7 years. The drummers that influence him to play are Shannon Lucas, Richard Christy, John Theodore, Chad Sexton, Paul Mazurkiewicz, Carlton Barret and many others. He loves anything metal and  currently is in a metal band called Gristle. Pete plays whatever he can get his hands on but he loves the Pearl Eliminator Pedals.

Mark Temple

King of All Social Media for Bentley's Drum Shop. Mark has been a part of the Bentley's Drum Shop folklore since 1999. He volunteers his time to the store to help whenever he can. He was Postal Demolition Derby 2005 Champ. Currently, he plays, practices, and rehearses as much as possible so he can become more than the "Norm" of the store.