Drum Lessons and Teaching Information

Where does Gary currently teach and how do I book in for lessons?
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Private lessons.
Gary currently does private one on one lessons after school hours at:
​All Music Albury 
All enquiries should be forwarded to All Music.
Phone: (02) 6041 1765 
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School‑Based Lessons
Gary also teaches at the following schools.
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​- Wodonga Middle Years College
- Wodonga Senior Secondary College
- Wangaratta High School
- Victory Lutheran College Wodonga
- Xavier High School Albury
- Trinity Anglican College Albury 
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Note: Lessons at these locations are only available to students enrolled at the school.
For lesson details, please contact the school.
 
 
​Gary’s Teaching Background
Gary has been teaching drum set and percussion in primary schools, high schools, and private music institutions since 2003.
Over the last 22 years he has also taught at:
​Scots School Albury, Albury Music School, Blackline Music School, Rutherglen High School, Wodonga Primary School, 
Bandiana Primary School, Catholic College Wodonga, Frayne College Baranduda, Galen College Wangaratta
The Murray Conservatorium, Billy Hyde / Hi Fidelity Music Wodonga, World of Music Albury
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Gary's teaching work falls into three categories:
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A: Victorian Department of Education / Instrumental music tutor
Gary is currently employed under contract by various public high schools in the North-East Victoria region and works as part of the Victorian Department of Education and Training's statewide instrumental music program.  This essentially means Gary is employed by the Department of education as a support staff member and works within the public high school system assisting music teachers who may not have the skills or time to teach drums and percussion.  Gary's job is to tutor students in drum set and percussion performance skills, help with ensembles, practical classes, help students prepare for, set up for and pack down after performances as well as assisting VCE music students prepare for their final performance and music theory exams. Gary is also often expected to perform in school productions, bands and ensembles.  This all involves working with students from a wide variety of backgrounds between years 7 to 12.
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B: Private lessons
The second type of teaching Gary does is that of a private drum tutor / teacher. This involves him working as a staff member or subcontractor to teach drums and percussion as part of a private business.  This is often done at a musical instrument retail store or private music school. Lessons are typically after school hours (between 4pm and 7pm) and involves teaching people from as young as 5 years old up to retirees.
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C: Private tutoring in schools
Many private and independent schools request local musicians and music tutors to come into the school during school hours to offer lessons to interested students. Lesson fees are charged directly from the music teacher to the parent, rather than included in school fees. 
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​F.A.Qs AND INFORMATION ABOUT TEACHING AND LESSONS
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Does Gary teach from home? 
No. Due to logistics, privacy, safety, and insurance requirements, Gary does not offer lessons from his home.
Students must attend one of the locations where Gary teaches.
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​Does Gary travel to students’ homes to teach?
No. For the same reasons above, Gary does not teach at students’ residences.
Lessons must take place at an approved teaching location.
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​Remote video lessons
Gary typically only offers face to face / in person type lessons but does offer private one on one remote lessons via Zoom at times.
Like many other music tutors Gary was forced to offer remote lessons due to the 2020-2022 COVID-19 Pandemic.
These lessons are usually limited to students in Year 7 or above (around 13 years old or older) who already have experience with drum lessons.
Due to the complex issues of privacy and cyber security Gary does have rules and expectations which need to be met before remote lessons are undertaken with students.  
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​Child Safety, Student Welfare & Working With Children Checks
Gary takes child safety and student welfare extremely seriously.
Because he works in both NSW and Victoria, he is required by law to. 
•     Hold current Working With Children Checks for both states.
•     Follow all relevant child safety and workplace policies.
•     Report concerns about a student’s physical or psychological wellbeing to the appropriate school or employer.
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​Gary on Social Media
Although Gary uses social media privately, he:
•     Does not communicate with students or parents on social platforms.
•     Does not “friend” or follow students or parents of students.
•     Handles all lesson communication in person, by phone, email, or through the school.
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​Other Notes
Gary often teaches from around 9am - 7pm five days a week, servicing 6 to 7 separate, independent music education facilities. This involves answering to around 12 different supervisors, administrators and heads of department. On top of all this Gary also performs professionally and needs maintain his own practice regime to keep his skills up to suitable level. Add rehearsals, lesson preparation, maintaining this website (thedrummers.com.au), equipment maintenance and general administration, late nights and busy weekends are a standard. ​Managing to maintain this type of schedule is very demanding and having a strict timetable and good communication is paramount. This sometimes results in Gary needing to be less flexible with students than he would like. ​