Eric Smeaton Music

Professional Instruction for Drummers and Songwriters

Local, National and International Lessons - Online and In-Person

 Eric’s zeal and enthusiasm for life and learning, and genuine desire to make a positive impact in the world is evident in everything he does - be it performing, songwriting or teaching. 

Denzal Sinclaire: One of Canada's greatest Jazz singers, Arranger, Composer and Teacher  |  https://bcentertainmenthalloffame.com/sinclaire-denzal/

 Eric is highly organized, approachable and fun, both as a musician and as a person. He has a wealth of information and skill as a percussionist, and is always a great pleasure to work with. 

Michael Newnham: Maestro/ Conductor of the Peterborough Symphony  |  http://michaelnewnham.ca/

 I have known Eric for more than 20 years, as a professional percussionist and as a teacher. As a drummer, he always shows impeccable ability to read, prepare and conduct concerts and musicals as well as playing with a Jazz Band! As a teacher, I can speak about his commitment to good education, inviting his students to explore world percussion, including Latin American, African and Native styles. He is an example of a modern teacher with dimension and great vision. He shows the world of music to young students and encourages them to discover rhythm and sound, without neglecting the technical part of playing, certainly assets difficult to find in every music teacher. 

Rodrigo Chavez: Premier Canadian Latin percussionist, Band Leader and virtuosic Acoustic guitar player  |  http://www.cassavalatin.com/bandmembers.html

 Eric 

Dr. Paul Vaillancourt: Professor of Percussion/ University of Columbus, Georgia  |  https://music.columbusstate.edu/faculty/paul-vaillancourt.php

 "...your ability to be relaxed when it was time to relax, and be serious when it was time to make music always impressed me and served me well later..." 

Dave Robbins: One of Canada's Premier drummers, Professor and composer  |  http://daverobbins.com/bio/

 I have known Eric as a fellow student, friend, and band mate for more than 25 years. We have played together in a multitude of settings, including dance halls, jazz clubs, and theatres with a big band; and intimate parties, restaurants, and even living room concerts with smaller combos. Eric is a consummate musician who possesses the technique to dazzle, but is mature enough to exercise restraint if it doesn't serve the music. He is a multi- instrumentalist with an encyclopedic knowledge of music and its inner workings. Eric possesses a rare combination of talent, humility, and an innate ability to teach. 

Jeff Pighin: Renowned Saxophonist, Instructor, Pedagogue and Band Leader of Swing Shift Big Band  |  https://swingshiftbigband.com/s3/

 The value of an honest testimonial is that it is based in truth. It is easy to offer a personal opinion, as the father, of one of Eric’s drum students. My son was keen to demonstrate competence to Eric, on a weekly basis and execute the lessons that were always within his reach,... But Eric constantly challenged him to expand in ability. As a former educator myself, I understood that part of my job was to inspire students. Eric’s wide experience, in a variety of musical genres, proved invaluable in introducing my son to an eclectic array of music and musicians and he still mentions his former teacher, when telling me that it was Mr. Smeaton who taught him "how to play that". I will always be grateful that our paths crossed and that my son got the very best drum education possible from a very fine musician, person and inspirational teacher. Douglas Saunders Teacher/Musician/Song Writer. 

Doug Saunders: Musician, songwriter and Father of former student