Private Drum Lessons on Sydney’s North Shore
At OnBeat Percussion, we make learning the drums just as fun as it looks. We offer engaging, one-on-one private drum lessons for kids and teens of all ages and skill levels.
With 10+ years of teaching experience, we tailor every lesson to your child’s goals—whether they’re learning the basics, preparing for AMEB percussion exams, or needing extra support with school band or ensemble work. Families can choose to learn from our fully equipped North Shore drum studio, enjoy the convenience of mobile drum lessons at home, or connect from anywhere in Australia with our online Zoom classes.
We proudly support students in Chatswood, Roseville, Lindfield, Killara, Gordon, Pymble, Turramurra, Wahroonga, St Ives and surrounding suburbs, helping young drummers grow their skills, creativity, and love for music.
Home Lessons
We travel to your home and offer convenient and personalised in-home music classes for students. Perfect for busy families—no travel, no stress.
Studio Lessons
Prefer a dedicated music space? Learn from our professional drum studio on Sydney’s North Shore. Based in Killara, our home studio offers children a safe immersive space to play and learn the drums.
Online Lessons
Master the drums in our virtual music classroom. We use the latest digital technology to create drum lessons that are interactive and meaningful to your child. Our online drum classes are easy to navigate and are held on Zoom.
Alistair is a patient, thoughtful teacher and has found music to challenge Sophie and match her interests. Recently we have moved to online lessons and Alistair has made that fun and effective
– James
Alistair is abundantly equipped with both the professional skills and teaching techniques that makes learning drumming fun and entertaining. His teaching is complemented with a whole variety of additional materials and resources available in different forms.
– Cheney
Alistair is professional and dedicated. He makes learning fun for the children, while also perfecting technique, fostering ability, challenging a child to learn and grow, and developing musical knowledge.
– Anita
Alistair is an amazing teacher. He makes learning the drums enjoyable. He is patient and is very good at showing me how to play.
– Mitch
Who Our Lessons Are For
- Kids starting drum lessons and building strong foundations and confidence
- Teens preparing for HSC Music, school performances, or advanced drumming goals
- School band and percussion students needing extra coaching or support
- Students preparing for AMEB exams, auditions, or performances
- Creative kids and teens wanting a fun, active musical outlet
Why Choose Onbeat?
- 10+ years of expert drum and percussion teaching experience
- Calm, patient, student-focused lessons that build confidence
- Fun, modern drumming that keeps kids and teens motivated
- Trusted North Shore drum tutor familiar with school bands, ensembles, and AMEB pathways
- Flexible lesson options — studio, mobile, or online
Ready To Get Started?
We’d love to help your child discover their rhythm.
Contact us today to register or ask a question.
Frequently Asked Questions
Onbeat provides mobile drum and percussion lessons across the Sydney North Shore, including Wahroonga, Turramurra, Hornsby, Lindfield, Gordon, Pymble, St Ives, Killara, Roseville, Chatswood, and surrounding suburbs. If you’re in the Upper or Lower North Shore, chances are we can come to you.
We teach students from Kindy through to Year 12. Whether your child is just starting out or preparing for higher-level music exams, we tailor each lesson to their age, personality, and learning style.
Absolutely. Many of our students start with zero musical experience. Lessons are calm, patient, and fun — perfect for kids dipping their toes (and sticks!) into drumming for the first time.
Yes! We support students involved in North Shore school bands and percussion ensembles, as well as those preparing for AMEB percussion exams. We’re familiar with the expectations of many local schools in Ku-ring-gai, Hornsby Shire, and Willoughby areas.
Absolutely. We support teens preparing for HSC Music 1 and Music 2, including performance pieces, technique development, and building confidence for practical exams. Many of our high school students come from North Shore schools like Knox, Barker, Abbotsleigh, Pymble Ladies’ College, Ravenswood, Killara High, and Chatswood High.
No drum kit? No problem. Students can start with a practice pad, sticks, or basic percussion instruments. We’ll guide you on what to buy when the time is right.
Mobile drum lessons (North Shore): We travel to your home, making lessons convenient for busy families.
Home studio lessons: Held at our fully equipped North Shore, Killara studio with a full drum kit, percussion instruments, and a focused learning environment.
Both options offer the same high-quality, engaging lessons — it simply depends on what works best for your family.
We offer 30-minute, 45-minute, and 60-minute weekly lessons, depending on your child’s age, experience, and goals.
Lesson rates vary depending on lesson length and whether you choose mobile or studio lessons. Get in touch and we’ll share all pricing options — no surprises, ever.
Easy! Just send us a message via our contact form, give us a call, or reach out on Google or social media. We’ll chat about your child’s age, goals, and availability, and find a lesson time that works for you.
We’d love to help your child discover their rhythm.
Contact us today to book a trial lesson or ask a question.