BEHIND THE KIT

“Playing drums is my life and teaching drums is my passion.“

100%

Love Of The Art

30+

Years of
experience

Online drumming tuition for passionate percussionists.

If you are anything like me, your eyes will always be drawn to the drummer when you’re watching a music video, a live band, or even an orchestra packed full of talented musicians.

There’s just something compelling about percussion –  the skill, the precision, the energy… for me, it’s intoxicating.

So many people dream of learning to play the drums, but often, there are just too many obstacles.

If your child is passionate about drumming and dying to learn, perhaps you think you don’t have the time or energy to fight traffic to get to regular lessons. Maybe the cost is off-putting, or you simply can’t find a teacher in your area.

How much easier would it be if they could learn anytime, in the comfort of your home?

No more traffic jams, waiting around, or extra petrol costs. I can provide easy payment options and group or one on one classes that you can choose to suit your schedule.

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LIFETIME ACCESS,
ANYWHERE, ANYTIME

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STREAMING ACCESS ON
DESKTOP & MOBILE

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100% SATISFACTION
GUARANTEE

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Making dreams accessible for everyone

When I was younger, it was challenging to find drum lessons. There were no teachers where I lived, so I had to travel to another area to get tutored.

I don’t want anyone to miss out on following their passion for drumming just because they don’t have access to tuition in the right place or at the right time!

With my online lessons, nobody has to miss out.

Anyone can learn in their own home, at a convenient time for them (and you) – either one-to-one or via recorded lessons, or using my online courses (recorded and online lessons coming soon).

Drumming is life

Drumming is my life. I’ve been doing it for the last 30 years, and I’m passionate about passing my knowledge on by making it accessible to anyone.

I first started teaching drumming at Drum City in Balmoral, Auckland, way back in 2004. After ten years of working there, I began hosting my own drum tuition classes, and have been tutoring at high schools throughout Auckland for the last ten years.

I have a Bachelor of Performing Arts (1st Degree), a B.Mus Honours (1st Degree), and a Masters in Music Performance, so there is so much for me to pass on to my students.

Although I love teaching, at times it has felt like I’m mainly teaching kids who have to do music as a subject at school, rather than children who really have a drive and hunger for drumming.

My online courses are aimed at those kids – the ones who can’t stop tapping their fingers on tabletops.

Online drumming options

Regardless of whether my students are just starting to pick up drumming or have been playing for a few years, I’m here to help them learn anytime, with step by step methods, transcriptions, and tutorials.

I can even do specific songs by request, help with rhythms, reading, timing, drum fills, and a vast variety of techniques.

I specialize in teaching children aged 6-18

Online lessons are for 1:1 only
In-studio lessons are for 1:1 for 13+ years or group classes for 6-12-year-olds.
Group lessons are also available through your school by arrangement: Click here for more info.

Again, with my online lessons, nobody has to miss out.
Anyone can learn in their own home, at a convenient time for them (and you), one-to-one.
Recorded Lessons and Online Courses coming soon.

“Chris’ drum teaching sparked my love for drumming that I have kept with me my whole life. His approach is really methodical and thorough and you get a clear sense of where you are making progress.

I’d recommend Chris as a teacher to students of any ability level.

I wish I’d had him as a teacher when I was younger!”
Tom Broome

“Chris’ drum teaching sparked my love for drumming that I have kept with me my whole life.
His lessons were always interesting and applicable to my goals as a drummer and taught me the fundamentals I need to be a well-rounded musician.

Chris transformed my hobby into a lifelong passion and career.”
Josh Johnston
“As a student, I sought out many tutors. Chris proved to be the most organised and well rounded.
I still use the exercises and techniques he taught me 15 years ago. 
His depth of knowledge and passion for drumming were key factors when deciding who to partner up with when doing an 11 part teaching series for The NZ Drummer Podcast. 

Few drum tutors in NZ can articulate and formulate logical drum lesson information like Chris. 

I would not hesitate in describing Chris as one of NZ’s finest drummers and drum tutors.
Andrew rooney
“I first started getting lessons from Chris when he was recommended to me by Drum City. Chris is an amazing drummer so his lessons were always fun and informative.
He was always encouraging and really inspired me to become a better musician.

In our lessons, Chris showed me a lot of different things and helped me with areas of my playing I was struggling with and also allowed me to build my confidence enough to study at a university level.

He would lend me gear and help me with uni stuff when I needed it and I eventually took over his teaching space too.”
Adam Tobeck

“Chris is a fantastic dynamic drummer and a career educator, there are very few teachers around who are as well rounded on their chosen instrument as Chris is.
Let alone the fact he’s taught the majority of working drummers currently on the Auckland scene!

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned drumming veteran, there is always something to brush up on, Chris caters for all levels of play and is easily approachable with a great sense of humour.

Chris’ passion for drumming is infectious and inspiring. He certainly helped me find focus and refine my own playing. The lessons I took with him and concepts we worked through are still ingrained with me today

Can not recommend highly enough!”
Dan Claydon
“When I was searching for a new drum tutor to improve my playing, Chris came highly recommended by the Head of Music at Auckland University.
I took his advice and it was one of the best decisions I have made in my musical life to date.

Chris is an excellent teacher who is passionate about what he does and it truly shows in his lessons.
He has a wealth of knowledge and experience which he shares in a fun and encouraging manner, guiding students 
until the concept is well-understood and applicable.

He creates an environment where students will feel welcome, and they’ll leave the lesson feeling motivated to get better.

Lessons with Chris are awesome and he is an inspiration to all the aspiring musicians!”
Albert Lee

“Chris was my second drum teacher and I had a lesson with him each week at high school. For 5 years!
Once a week. On a crappy school drum kit. But it was the best.

New sounds, styles and skills were distilled. It was established that rudiments were essential and Chris translated these in a cool and interesting way. But there was and is so much more to it than that.

The reason I bought my first drumkit at Drum City in 2010 was because of Chris. Chris helped lay the foundation for an appreciation for Drums and Music. It was all about Drums. And Music. And having fun.

I’m so incredibly glad to have had tuition with Chris. The early years of learning Drums is so important and having lessons from Chris is a great investment in yourself and time.”

David Gibson
“Chris was my drum teacher throughout my final years in high school.
I had lessons with him privately at his home studio as well as lessons at the school.

He was a great inspiration to me and really motivated my decision to study music at a tertiary level. It is easy to tell that he has a deep passion for being a drummer and an educator.

To this day I am yet to find another music teacher that can teach in such an informative way while still managing to be fun and enjoyable. Chris goes the extra mile for his students.

Chris was a great role model for me when I met him at age 16 and even now, almost 10 years later continues to be.

I would recommend anybody interested in drums, from beginner to expert, to get lessons with Chris Dawson.”

Tom Leggett
“As a mature student, I was looking for the right teacher to break me out of the rut I was in and improve both my playing and musicality.
Chris is inspirational and supportive and adapts the lessons to suit my needs. I highly recommend him!”
Steve Mills

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