Vito Roccoforte is a music industry veteran, a founding member of The Rapture, member of Poolside, a global DJ, an accomplished electronic musician/producer and has been playing drums since he was a child. He has recorded with Paul Epworth, Dangermouse, Timbaland, James Murphy, Tim Goldsworthy and Phillipe Zdar on labels such as Universal, Motown, Mercury, DFA and Sub Pop. He has shared stages with Daft Punk, The Cure, LCD Soundsystem, Franz Ferdinand, The White Stripes, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Sex Pistols, The Fall and many more. In addition to touring and playing music Vito also teaches drumming and electronic music production.
A Message from Vito
Hi! I grew up in a two-teacher household, and before becoming a full-time musician I worked extensively in childhood education as an assistant teacher in elementary schools (Kindergarten, First, and Fifth grade). During that time, I also worked as a math and reading tutor for children ages five through twelve.
Like many drummers of a certain age, my passion was first sparked by Animal on The Muppet Show. Fueled by that same untamed enthusiasm, I started “playing drums” on anything and everything around the house—so much so that my parents quickly agreed to sign me up for lessons.
I loved those lessons, but they were pretty old-school: mostly sitting still and practicing rudiments on a pad. What I really wanted was the blur of energy, the excitement of playing in a band, to channel Animal battling Buddy Rich, and to get inside the Queen and Devo songs I loved on the radio. Instead, I got abstract drills—and eventually, I got bored and quit. It wasn’t until years later that I returned to the drums, always wishing those first lessons had been more creative and engaging, because I know I would have stuck with it.
With over a decade of teaching experience, I still carry the memory of my own early lessons—always making sure to get students behind a real kit from the start and engage their creativity right away. Watching their imaginations spark continues to remind me why I was drawn to both music and education all those years ago. That inspiration is what led me to open my studio, where I bring together my years of recording and touring to teach the skills needed to play on stage, in the studio, and with other musicians.
Feel free to contact me here to learn more or to get started.
