Site last updated
05 August 2024
Drum Lessons and Teaching Information
Where does Gary currently teach and how do I book in for lessons?
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Gary currently offers after school hours lessons at:
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All Music Albury Phone (02) 6041 1765
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Lessons are also available at the following schools, but are only available to students who attend these schools.
For details on lessons at each school please contact the school in question.
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- Wodonga Middle Years College
- Wodonga Senior Secondary College
- Victory Lutheran College Wodonga
- Trinity Anglican College Albury
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Gary has been teaching drum set and percussion in primary schools, high schools and private music education institutions since 2003.
Gary has also taught at the following locations over the last 20 years
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- 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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The types of teaching Gary does.
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 after typically after school hours (between 3pm 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?
Due to logistics, privacy, safety and insurance concerns Gary does not offer lessons from his home.
If you are interested in lessons, you will need to be willing to attend one of the places Gary teaches.
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Does Gary go to students homes to teach?
Due to logistics, privacy, safety and insurance concerns Gary does not go to students' residences to teach.
If you are interested in lessons, you will need to be willing to attend one of the places Gary teaches.
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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 is very aware of the concerns and issues surrounding child safety and student welfare and takes this part of his job very seriously. As Gary works in both New South Wales and Victoria he is required to have current working with children checks and be familar with child welfare and work safety practices in both states. As a teacher and educator working with children it is Gary's legal obligation to communicate with the school or employer regarding any concerns he may have about a child's physical or psychological wellbeing.
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Gary on social media
Although Gary does use social media privately he does not communicate, interact or "friend" students or their parents on social media platforms. All teaching and lesson communications should be done in person, by phone or email, or through the relevant educational institution.
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Gary often teaches from around 9am - 7pm 5 days a week, servicing 6 to 7 separate, independent music education facilities, all the while answering to 10 to 15 different bosses, supervisors and heads of department.
On top of all this Gary also performs professionally, making time for rehearsals and live performances, and needs to maintain his own practice regime to keep his own skill set up to performance level. Add writing books (The Drummers Vade Mecum and The Drummers Enchiridion), designing and maintaining this website (thedrummers.com.au), equipment maintenance and general administration. Needless to say late nights and busy weekends are a standard thing and there is little time for TV, computer games and other such activities.
Managing to maintain this type of schedule is very demanding and routine, good communication and timetabling is paramount, and sometimes Gary has to be less flexible with students than he would like.
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