Christmas 1979 is when it all started for Chicago’s # 1 Drum Lessons owner Mike Semerau. Born March 24th, 1975 in Chicago, IL living on the Northwest Side. Mike took only 2 yrs. of drum lessons from drumming great Erik Lekberg from Chicago who was playing regularly with pop/rock sensational band called Ghost Swami.



Erik taught Mike Semerau how to read drum notation, and the basics of drumming. Mike took Ochrestra band in High School enhancing his love for every style of drumming. From 1981 to present Mike learned and still is learning from watching and emulating some of the greatest drummers such as: Terry Bozzio, Buddy Rich, Neil Peart, Louie Bellson, Mike Mangini, Thomas Lang, John Bohnam, Ringo Starr, Dave Wekyl, Lenny White, Gene Krupa, Alex Van Halen, Frankie Banali, etc. the list is endless.



Learning various styles, then implementing into his own, Mike Semerau has been creating a fun and unique way to learn the drums. Every lesson Chicago’s # 1 Drum Lessons teaches is an original secret composed by Mike himself. Mike teaches students how to also teach themselves as they learn from him. Mike was a Regional Finalist for the 1997 Guitar Center Drum Off placing First place out of 1,000 drummers who had entered in the state of IL’ Mike ranked 2nd place in the Midwest Region of the United States.



Mike Semerau has been teaching thousands of drummers since 1995 and personally continues to do so with now over 120 students weekly, 7 days a week. Chicago's # 1 Drum Lessons started by Mike driving to peoples homes all over IL to now having 10 western suburb locations as well as over 300 + students being taught weekly Mike's drumming method between Mike and four of his top students.



Mike Semerau has become an acclaimed drummer as well as an endorsed artist for Ludwig drums, Pro-Mark sticks, Paiste Cymbals, Aquarian drum heads, SKB cases, Qwik Stix sticks and cup holders as well as Wornstar clothing.



Mike Semerau does annual drum clinics as well as constant session work in and out of the recording studios.



In May 2006 CLTV news aired a full news story on Mike and his superb video teaching method where students learn the drums fast and the most effective way to practice their drum lessons.



Mike Semerau has participated in numerous day camps, festivals, parades, and other community functions to get the word out that Chicagos # 1 Drum Lessons is where to go only for drum lessons.



On December 3rd, 2011 Mike Semerau appeared on a major worldwide web show owned and ran by the DW drum company (The Drum Channel) and was interviewed by one of his drum idols Mr. Terry Bozzio.