Tim DeCillis is a professional session drummer experienced in rock, pop and jazz drums, as well as classical percussion and a variety of world music styles. He has a Master’s degree in music and is a very active performing drummer, playing shows regularly all over the Bay Area.

Tim was born and raised in Rochester, NY, where he began playing drums and guitar in garage bands with his friends, and eventually took up some drum lessons. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in music performance from the State University of New York at Fredonia, where he studied classical percussion, jazz drum set and vibraphone, mallet music of Central America, and West African drumming.

From there he went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he also worked as an instructor, teaching lecture courses and private lessons.

After maintaining an active playing schedule for several years in Chicago, where he performed with artists such as Frank Rosaly, Nu Directions Chamber Brass, the Jarvis Raymond Trio, Lionel O, and Project Film – Tim relocated to Oakland in 2014 and has since forged working relationships with many members of the vibrant Bay Area music scene, including Phillip Greenlief, Karl Evangelista, Jordan Glenn, William Winant, and Nathan Clevenger. Tim also plays in various rock and pop groups including Rachel Lark and the Damaged Goods, Repeater Pan, and Catch Prichard, to name a few.

As a teacher, Tim strives to create a unique lesson plan based on each student’s individual goals and abilities. Areas such as reading, rhythm studies, rudiments, limb independence, time feel, and improvisation are stressed, while always seeking to maintain the passion and inspiration to keep students motivated and, most importantly, having fun!