Kyle Bergh Drum Instructor

Kyle began his career in music at a very young age and showed a great deal of natural ability, especially in the area of percussion. At the start, playing the drums was the instrument he was most passionate about and showed a great deal of musical potential with because of his natural talent to keep a steady beat. As a young child Kyle used every surface he could find to play rhythms on with his hands but his “real” drum career began at the age of 9 when he started drum lessons. Kyle was young but his love for the instrument encouraged him to learn quickly, starting out, first, on the snare, which, eventually, lead him to learn solely on the drum set. As Kyle became more seasoned with his craft his lessons and playing continued on through high school and his adult life.

Kyle’s whole family was very musical and shared many memories together as they gathered around the piano when “Dad” played. But, Kyle was particularly gifted and had many natural talents. His desire to share music with others began to develop and grew into song-writing when he picked up his mother’s guitar. His love for music took to pen and paper and it was an exciting part of his musical journey. He quickly learned chord structures and became very knowledgeable about the guitar as an instrument. Whether he was playing the drums, his main instrument, the guitar, or the piano, he always enhanced the sound as a whole any way that he could. He performed in multiple talent shows and recitals throughout his middle school and high school careers, backing up singers and guitar players with his creative drumming skills on the drum set, while demonstrating his guitar, vocal, and piano talents, as well.

Throughout his life Kyle was always very involved in his church and lead faithfully on the praise team for years on the drum set. This experience played a huge part in his musical career and musicianship, as well as, in his own personal growth. He was part of a children’s band called “Kid’s Connection” where he lead on the drum set for years and grew into leading songs on the acoustic guitar and singing. Mission work at home and abroad with this band was a vital part of his life as it became clear that sharing music with others was a calling he wold like to pursue more. Kyle is very thankful for all the experiences and opportunities that opened up to him as a musician and a Christian.

In 2000 Kyle’s mother and father opened a private music school/recording studio where he taught snare and drum set to children eager to learn. He acquired some guitar students but his main focus was always on the drums. While in high school Kyle participated in all-state choir, conference band, and competed with drum solos. He earned several placement awards with drum and voice ensembles. When Kyle graduated from high school in 2004 he received the “John Phillip Sousa Award” for excellence in music and performed a song he had written for his fellow classmates at the graduation. He worked hard on developing his craft and attended drum camps at a near-by University during the summers following graduation. He soon thought it best to attend a 2 year music performance school in Iowa.

While studying in college his focus was on the drum, working on the many different styles, but learning piano and music theory, chord development and layering, were all part of his studies. Not only did Kyle take drum lessons as part of his education but he took voice and piano lessons, as well. He sang with the touring concert choir and participated in a small singing ensemble. The opportunities he had to accompany the guitar ensemble on the drum set had a very positive effect on his music career. Although he is self-taught on the the guitar and has a great ear for the piano he understands the theory and composition behind them both. He learned the importance of theory in school but believes that “hearing the music” is an important element to being a well-rounded musician.

Kyle has continued to serve on the praise team throughout his adult life. Drum has always been his first love and main instrument of choice but he has thoroughly enjoyed singing with various groups in the Sioux Falls area. His love for tight harmonies was why he joined the “Sioux Emperians”, a barbershop ensemble, in 2019, and singing tenor for the Sioux Falls Symphony Choir was a lot of fun. Both groups were helpful in keeping him up with music reading and the enjoyment of music overall. Performing on the Levitt stage with an original song is a high-light for his summers and being part of the community. As Kyle reflects back on his life he feels content, fulfilled, and enriched because of his love and passion for music. Sharing the gift of music is a highlight in his younger adult life and he hopes to continue that experience in the years ahead to help future generations become all that they can be through the gift of music.