Ben Dicke gives percussion and drum set lessons for the music department.
Ben Dicke earned a BM (2013) in drum set performance from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, where he studied with Ian Froman and Terry Lyne Carringtion, focusing on traditional and contemporary jazz vocabulary and technique. He continued his education in 2015 with legendary jazz drummer and educator Bob Gullotti of the Fringe. He has performed with numerous Americana, R&B, and jazz artists on stages across New England and the US. Since moving to St. Louis in 2018, Ben has become an active member of its thriving jazz scene, performing regularly in the region, most notably as a member of the Kendrick Smith Quartet. Always inspired by the greats of the past as well as those with whom he shares the stage, Ben continues to push the tradition with his honest and expressive performances. With over fifteen years of teaching experience, Ben has developed a comprehensive curriculum for his students focusing on rhythmic training, hand and body technique, time keeping, stylistic vocabulary, and improvisation. Above all, he emphasizes cultivating students’ sense of curiosity and creativity.