The Quick Version:
Jarrod currently serves as Head Instructor at DrumShack Abilene, bringing with him years of experience as a performer, educator, and mentor.
He has taught percussion at both the collegiate and high school levels, performed in jazz ensembles, opera orchestras, chamber groups, and musical theater productions, and continues to perform professionally throughout the region. Just as importantly, Jarrod remains deeply connected to the percussion community, bringing a wealth of experience, relationships, and perspective into the lesson room.
Legit…This guy is no joke.
Now…(Cody here)…Let’s settle in and learn a little about Jarrod.
When I sat down to talk with Jarrod, it didn’t take long to realize he had more than enough credentials to be a great candidate for Head Instructor at DrumShack. But really stood out to me had little to do with his résumé.
At the time, I was actively looking for another teacher to join DrumShack Abilene.
It had been a busy few years, and after pouring so much of myself into my students, I needed someone I trusted to teach my students the way I would want them taught. So I asked Jarrod a simple question:
C: “What do you enjoy most about teaching?”
…his answer stayed with me ever since
“What I enjoy most about teaching is seeing people grow outside of just the drums.”
Growing up in the Jim Ned area, Jarrod struggled in middle school band. Reading music didn’t come naturally to him, and before long, he found himself falling behind his classmates. In fact, he came close to failing altogether. His band director gave him an ultimatum: if he wanted to continue, he needed private lessons.
That decision changed the course of his life.
What started as a way to simply “catch up” quickly became a genuine love for percussion. Through years of one-on-one instruction, Jarrod discovered that having the right teacher wasn’t just about learning notes and rhythms. It was about having someone who could slow down, explain things differently, build confidence, and help a student realize they were capable of more than they thought.
Jarrod went on to study percussion performance at McMurry University, training with the same mentor for nearly a decade. Those experiences shaped not only the musician he became, but also the teacher he strives to be today.
meet
Jarrod Light
He went on to describe how learning a complex instrument teaches humility, focus, discipline, and confidence. I’m paraphrasing slightly here, but the spirit of what he said remains intact.
In that moment, I got the sense that Jarrod wasn’t just a great drummer.
He understood the process of learning, and he genuinely cared about helping students navigate it.
What makes Jarrod’s story so meaningful, however, is that his own musical journey almost ended before it truly began. Jarrod wasn’t always amazing…
Whether a student wants to make their school drumline, pursue music professionally, or simply learn for the joy of it, Jarrod brings both high-level experience and genuine enthusiasm to every lesson.
At the end of the day, Jarrod believes music education is about much more than becoming a better drummer. It’s about learning how to learn, building confidence, solving problems, and discovering what you’re capable of. For students who may be struggling the way he once did, he’s living proof that the right guidance can change everything.