Drum Fantasy
Camp wrapped up an amazing 17th annual U.S. camp
(19th overall) on August 6, 2025. Instructors
Dennis Chambers, Peter
Erskine, Gavin Harrison
and Dave Weckl provided an
all-legends experience to a completely full camp.
The band featured bassist Hagar
Ben Ari (Scary Pockets/The Late Late Show with James Corden), keyboardist
Stu Mindeman (Kurt Elling), singer Chrissi
Poland (Michael Bolton/Moby), and guitarist
Vinny Valentino (George Benson/Vital Information).
At our concert, we also welcomed Nick Crane
(trumpet), Austin Drake (trombone)
and Jonathan Mones (saxophone).
As is customary at DFC, the camp opened at Noon with
a roundtable discussion with our four drumming
instructors. They played, told stories, taught
valuable lessons and took questions from the
audience. Then, at 8pm, the instructors and band
took the stage for an incredible concert. One
highlight of the show: all four instructors and the
band performing "Caught Up" (Usher) to pay homage to
our good friend Aaron Spears (see the video in the
right column).
The next four days included four days of classes
with each of the drumming instructors. Vinny and
Hagar joined Dennis Chambers' class during the
afternoons, getting everyone up to play and to get
feedback. Dennis blew everyone away with his playing
and his thoughtful answers to attendees' questions.
Dave Weckl got everyon up to play as well. He
addressed many of the things he is known for:
impeccable technique, attention to detail, and
creating a great sound naturally. Meanwhile, Peter
Erskine took the academic route with a huge packet
filled with great exercises. Peter's legendary
teaching chops and sense of humor shined all week.
Gavin Harrison focused on the needs of his students
- answering questions about specifc tunes he (and
others) have recorded, charting the parts on a white
board, and performing them so that everyone could
understand. He also humorously described what we at
DFC like to call his "giggle fills," the fills that
make us laugh at the complexity/creativity in
Gavin's playing. Simon Phillips stopped by to join
Gavin's class on the last day.
Dave Weckl ran his amazing studio class at Fever
Studios (North Hollywood) on August 7. Both sessions
were full. Dave walked everyone through his process
for setting up, micing, recording and mixing in a
studio space.
