Testimonials
"CK's Drum Shop is the best. I'm in my mid 60's and decided to learn drumming 'late' in life. I was anxious about finding the right instructor, but found exactly what I was looking for with the owner of CK's Drum Shop. Chris is patient, highly knowledgeable, and is able to communicate complex musical ideas in theory and function, in an informative, non-threatening and enjoyable environment. Highly recommended!"
-Ralph Miro
Adult Student
Adult Student
"Chris Kent has always done excellent for me. While he was my student at Western Connecticut State University (quite a few years ago) he was already doing repair work. He kept all of our instruments in good working order. In recent years, he has done several repairs on several of my own instruments. He does good work. He is somehow able to find parts for instruments that are no longer available."
-David Smith
Professor of Percussion
Western Connecticut State University
Professor of Percussion
Western Connecticut State University
"Chris has done fantastic work on all our percussion instruments. I recommend Chris for all of your percussion needs."
-Jacob W. Wilson III
Director of Instrumental Music
Lyme-Old Lyme High School
Director of Instrumental Music
Lyme-Old Lyme High School
"Chris is a fantastic teacher, and a brilliant mentor. He has taught me everything I've known about percussion for the last six years. I think that he's the best option for a private teacher and a great percussion repair technician."
-Daniel Rockwell
Lyme-Old Lyme High School, Class of 2015
Lyme-Old Lyme High School, Class of 2015
"Chris Kent is a fabulous percussion teacher! His ability to identify opportunities for musical advancement makes for a brilliant learning experience."
-Ellie Krasney
Parent of a High School Student
Parent of a High School Student
"I have been taking drum lessons with Chris for the past 2-1/2 years. I am an adult student, with a more unpredictable schedule and different musical goals than the average school-age student. Not only has Chris been an excellent teacher, instilling confidence and a real understanding of the technique and feel of the music, but he has done his best to accommodate my scheduling issues so I can continue to progress. My children and I have had experience with many music teachers over the years, and I can say sincerely that Chris is one of the best."
-Shelley Weiss
Adult Student
Adult Student
I have been working with Chris Kent since 2003, at both the middle and high school levels. Chris is extremely knowledgable and professional about all types of percussion repair. He has set-up and maintained my marching, concert, and jazz percussion sections. I appreciate that I am able to entirely outsource this job to him. I recommend him highly!
-Katrina Gardner Gottlieb
Director of Bands - Stonington High School
Director of Bands - Stonington High School
Chris Kent does exceptional work. He is one of the most knowledgeable and kind individuals I have met in the world of percussion. Not only does he travel to our school for on site work, but he will also take the time to explain how he fixed items so if the problem happens again, I can fix it in the future. He also, somehow, keeps an inventory in his head of what the school has for parts! If we no longer have the drum shells that go along with the orphan parts, he will consign them for another school that needs them and we get extra work done or money towards a new instrument. Everyone wins!
-Kimberly Everson Rodriguez
Band Director - Middletown High School
Band Director - Middletown High School
Chris's repair work is meticulous, thoughtful, and thoroughly explained to the customer. As a percussionist who is fairly knowledgeable about drum repairs, I still go to Chris with many of my high school percussion instrument issues, simply because I know that it will be done with extreme care, efficiency, and it will be economically feasible given my budget. I always walk away from a discussion with Chris knowing more about my instruments than I did walking in, and this is because Chris takes the time to talk through what he did, and what I can do to prevent further wear and tear in the future. The bottom line for me is that Chris cares deeply about the instruments he works on--no lug, hoop, head, tension rod, wing nut, screw, snare cable is neglected--and he is passionate about furthering not only percussion education in southern Connecticut but also the education of the hundreds of area band directors for whom percussion repair is a foreign concept. Chris may be a business owner but I always feel that his business comes from his heart and soul, and this is why I will continue to go back to him for all of my repair needs.
-John L. Gage
Director of Bands - Daniel Hand High School
Director of Bands - Daniel Hand High School
