Introduction
Percussion is often misunderstood as a purely rhythmic, one-dimensional pursuit. But for Leila Kaneda, owner of Kaneda Percussion, it is a deeply musical discipline that demands full-body control and a personalized approach to instruction. In a recent interview with Peekwire, Kaneda shared her insights on teaching percussion to students of all ages and backgrounds in the Columbia Gorge and Portland region.
Adapting to the Student, Not the Age
Kaneda primarily works with middle and high school students, as well as adults, but she emphasizes that age is not the primary factor in her teaching. "My teaching style doesn't typically adapt purely by the age or experience of the student," she explains. Instead, she focuses on each student's abilities, motivation, and personality. "I adapt my teaching based simply on how their brain works."
She recalls a student who struggled with auditory learning. While the student excelled at reading notation and writing in rhythms, they had difficulty playing by ear or matching sounds to physical sensations. Kaneda responded by accelerating their strengths while doubling down on auditory skills—using their favorite songs to teach pulse and beat. "Three months later, their auditory learning skills caught up to everything else," she notes, "which is exactly what they needed to just take off in their musical journey."
The First Lesson: Finding Strengths
For absolute beginners, Kaneda does not jump straight into technique. Instead, she starts by figuring out what instruments they gravitate toward and what skills they already have. "Beginner or not, everyone is better at some skills than others," she says. She identifies easy wins to build confidence while mapping out longer-term goals. More concretely, the first lesson often covers how to stand, hold a mallet or stick, and strike the instrument properly—along with showing students what is possible and where they can go.
The Biggest Hurdle: Reading and Coordination
When asked about the most common challenge for students learning marimba or mallet percussion, Kaneda points to reading music. For those who already read, the difficulty shifts to hand-eye coordination—reading while maintaining good technique and musicality. She helps students by easing them into it with simple, repeatable exercises. "Things like reading music without looking at the keyboard and being able to play accurately—those get developed over time with consistent practice," she explains, "and it tends to be one of the biggest hurdles for beginner/intermediate players."
Preparing for Auditions and Performances
Kaneda's approach to audition preparation is collaborative. She talks with the student, reviews the required repertoire, and assesses where they are in the learning process. "From there, we have a clear goal and work toward developing their skills and confidence to perform it well," she says. If a piece is not well suited to the student's experience level, she offers alternatives but ultimately lets the student decide. This respect for student autonomy is a hallmark of her teaching philosophy.
Surprising Discoveries: Musicality and Body Control
New students often arrive with a narrow view of percussion. "Most people think percussion is just drums and within that it's just one dimensional," Kaneda observes. "But there is so much musicality that each instrument offers, regardless of the number of pitches you can get from it." She highlights that technique and muscle engagement play a huge role in producing a musical sound. The other common surprise is the level of physical control required. "It requires a lot of control over your entire body, not just your arms or legs that are hitting the instrument."
Conclusion
Leila Kaneda's teaching approach is a reminder that effective music education is not one-size-fits-all. By tuning into each student's unique learning style and motivations, she helps them build both skill and confidence. For those in the Columbia Gorge and Portland area looking to explore percussion—whether for fun, auditions, or personal growth—Kaneda Percussion offers a thoughtful, student-centered path forward. To learn more about her offerings, visit Kaneda Percussion. For additional context on percussion education, check out resources from Percussive Arts Society or NAMM Foundation.