About
Formerly known as BiBi's Percussion Institute, the Harlem Percussion Academy was founded by Jordan W. Carter in May 2021 as he began teaching private virtual drum lessons to young adults as a way of re-engaging their inner child and creativity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2024, a sudden family emergency forced Jordan to relocate his percussion studio from Brooklyn to Harlem which also inspired a rebrand to the Harlem Percussion Academy, reflecting ties to his new community.
Since relocating uptown, the Harlem Percussion Academy has presented drum residencies and workshops at multiple schools and community centers including P.S. 76, Bronx Studio School for Writers and Artists, Manhattanville Community Center, and P.S./I.S. 161.
The Harlem Percussion Academy operates in response to the NYC public school system's racist enrollment-based funding model, which disproportionately harms schools in historically Black neighborhoods like Harlem. As gentrification increases and enrollment declines, so does funding—often resulting in the erasure of arts education. We exist to fill that gap, offering high-quality music instruction at a low cost to the Harlem community.
Meet Jordan W. Carter
Founder & Lead Instructor
Get to know the vision behind the Harlem Percussion Academy in this short intro video.
Testimonials
"Jordan's virtual lessons pushed me to expand my artistry by bringing drums into my live performances. He made learning different grips and rhythms feel natural and inspiring, even over Facetime & Zoom. Also, I was living in California while Jordan was teaching in New York and he was very flexible with my schedule even when I could not make it every week!!"
-Creatrx (recording artist, producer, former student)
"Jordan's lessons were very relaxing and helped me to dive back into music! I played clarinet younger and it felt great activating my musical abilities to learn a completely new instrument. Jordan provided helpful videos in between lessons; critiquing my progress and making recommendations to prepare me for the next lesson. If you're looking for a low-stress, creative outlet, consider taking percussion lessons with Jordan!"
-Will S. (creative director, copywriter, former student)
"Mr. Jordan's Afro-Latin Music workshop was very engaging for the Success Academy students and informative for staff as well! He made such a nuanced history understandable for the kids during our school's Black History Month assembly and brought great energy as well!"
-Rahel T. (former Success Academy administrator)
