On December 12th and 13th, 2025, the Yamaha Music School in Hamburg-Eppendorf became the setting for an exceptional educational highlight: renowned drummer David Garibaldi, legendary member of Tower of Power, joined us for an exclusive workshop weekend dedicated to groove, precision, and musical depth. Widely regarded as one of the most influential drummers in funk and contemporary music, Garibaldi brought decades of experience, artistry, and pedagogical clarity directly into the music school environment.

The program was intentionally structured to combine shared learning and individual focus.

On Friday, two Masterclasses offered participants the opportunity to experience Garibaldi’s approach to timing, coordination, and musical decision-making in a collective setting. Both sessions were fully booked and characterized by high concentration, open dialogue, and a strong sense of mutual respect between artist and participants.

On Saturday, the focus shifted to individual one-to-one sessions. These lessons allowed for in-depth, personal exchange and provided participants with targeted feedback and practical impulses tailored to their own musical development. The intimate format enabled a level of detail and reflection that is only possible in a focused, one-on-one learning environment.

In total, 24 participants took part across the two days.

Beyond technical content, the weekend was defined by the quality of the encounter itself. Participants experienced first-hand how musical excellence is shaped not only by skill, but by mindset, listening, and long-term dedication.

For many, working directly with an artist of David Garibaldi’s stature marked a significant personal milestone—an experience that extended well beyond the duration of the sessions themselves.

As part of the Friday Masterclasses, a snare drum was raffled in each session, adding a moment of shared excitement and engagement.

The accompanying question “In which year did David Garibaldi join Tower of Power?” connected participants directly to the musical history behind the artistry. In each case, the prize was awarded to the participant whose answer came closest to the correct year, reinforcing the educational spirit of the event.

All participants received a 10-session access card for the school’s drum practice facilities, encouraging continued exploration and consolidation of what had been learned during the weekend.

This reflects a core educational principle: meaningful development requires not only inspiration, but also time, space, and continuity.

This workshop weekend stands as a strong example of how international expertise, personal interaction, and thoughtfully designed learning environments in our school can come together to create lasting educational value.

Events like this underline a clear commitment to high-quality music education—one that connects global artistic excellence with local learning communities, and transforms inspiration into long-term growth.