Mika Scott Resume

Background Summary

I began teaching music to children in 1981 while at Cabrillo College while I completed 32 units of ECE training.  I continue to teach privately and for a variety of schools and organizations as well as leading teambuilding events for corporations.  In addition, I have performed live with members of the Grateful Dead, Hamza El Din, Zero and Steve Miller.  Along with my teaching activities, I play percussion and drums for the Tom Finch Group, and serve as the live music director and resident musician for Berkeley Dance Jam.  Through the use of movement, stories and rhythm games, I integrate a playful and interactive approach to teaching music.

Current Pursuits

  • Owner/Founder DrummingMagic – corporate teambuilding events, school programs and private instruction and workshops for adults, children and families in drums and percussion (11/91 – present)
  • Live Music Director and resident musician, Berkeley Dance Jam –weekly non-profit dance organization (3/09 – present)
  • Music Instructor, Marin Academic Center (MAC School) - special education music program, San Anselmo (10/09 – present)
  • Director, Drum Program, Grace Patterson Elementary School, Vallejo,  (2001- present)
  • Performer/Recording Artist – active local performer providing drum and percussion talent to numerous Bay Area bands (1986 – present)

Previous Employment

  • Music Director, Red Hill Academy – directed musical curriculum for residential high school, San Anselmo (9/08 - 6/09)
  • Music Director, Sunny Hills Gardens – directed musical curriculum for residential high school, San Anselmo (2/05 – 9/08)
  • Homeless Outreach Worker, Berkeley Mental Health (1994 - 2007)
  • Drumming/Movement/Drama Teacher, various summer camps including: Ross Valley Summer School, Marin Primary Summer Camp, and Discovery Museum
  • Music Teacher, Oakland Montessori School (9/00 - 6/02)
  • Director, Washington After-School Drum Club (9/99 – 6/03)
  • Percussion Teacher, East Bay Center for the Performing Arts - after school outreach program (11/93 – 6/01)
  • Percussion Teacher, Young Performers International (YPI) -  after school programs in San Francisco and Oakland (10/00 – 6/01)
  • Recreation Counselor, Richmond Gateway Project – program for at risk youth (2/92 – 8/93)
  • Rehab Counselor/Substance Abuse Counselor/Nursing Aid, Gladman Memorial Hospital (8/89 – 8/91)
  • Relief Counselor, Bonita House - residential treatment home (1/88 – 1/90)
  • Rehab Activity Leader/Mental Health Worker, Villa Fairmont - chronic mental health facility (11/84 - 1/87)
  • Psychiatric Aide, Harbor Hills - chronic mental health facility (1/83 - 1/84)

Additional Volunteer Activities

  • Live Music Producer and organizer, Berkeley Dance Jam (12/98 – present)
  • Dance Organizer,  Northern California Dance Collective (NCDC) - plan and run winter/summer dance camps  (6/01 – present)

Training and Education

  • Independent Study - drums, percussion, voice, guitar, keyboards and audio engineering (1978 – present)
  • ORFF Level 1 - music teacher training at Mills College (2002)
  • Drum Facilitators Mentor Training - Arthur Hull (2000)
  • ECE Training – 32 units Cabrillo College in Aptos, CA - studied music, general and early childhood education (1980 – 1983.)

 References available upon request