Drumworks

About Us

DrumWorks is a Guernsey-based drum school established in 2008 by Wayne Mahy. It aims to bring drum tuition to students of all ages and abilities, allowing them to reach their goals while working at their own pace in a relaxed environment.

Tutor Biography - Wayne Mahy

Wayne started playing drums at the age of 19 when a friend introduced him to the
instrument. Over the next five years, he performed in various bands as well as playing in his church in Guernsey, Channel Islands.

In September 2004, Wayne moved to London with his wife, Lorraine, to study drums and percussion full time at Drumtech in Acton, London. He gained the Diploma in Popular Music Performance, a qualification which is accredited by Thames Valley University. While in London, Wayne studied under some of the best session/freelance drummers in the UK, such as Francis Seriau (Founder of Drumtech), Mick Morena and Erik Stams (as seen teaching Aled Jones on the BBC programme Play it Again).

After graduating, Wayne moved to Southampton and started to teach drums on a part-time basis to students in the surrounding region. He also got involved in local Jazz/Funk band Manuka Honey, playing gigs in Southampton.

Wayne now lives in Guernsey and teaches and plays drums professionally. In 2008 he set up DrumWorks and provides drum lessons to over a hundred students per week.

Tutor Biography - Andy Robinson

Andy first picked up a pair of sticks at the age of 14 with the desire to become the drummer of his brother's band. The following three years introduced Andy to gigging in a live band, whether it was in a pub, at a party or in the back of a lorry!

A strong passion for drums and playing gigs was formed which led to Andy leaving Guernsey and heading to the Tech Music Schools in London in the Autumn of 2006, just after his 17th birthday. Graduating with a Diploma in Contemporary Music Performance, Andy went on to study an FdA in Popular Music at Bath Spa University. Whilst studying at Bath Spa University, Andy signed a contract with Inrage/Universal to join a team of songwriters and producers in Los Angeles once he had graduated. Andy moved to California in May 2011 and spent three months learning new skills, producing artists and networking in the USA.

In the summer of 2011, Andy was approached to become a member of the teaching staff here at DrumWorks, and is still producing and writing songs for artists and bands worldwide.

Brief History of DrumWorks

Wayne moved back to Guernsey in August 2006 where he began teaching approximately 50 students each week, either in his studio or at the students’ homes. In September 2007, the opportunity arose to teach in several schools on the island, enabling Wayne to give weekly lessons to an additional 45 students. During 2007, Wayne also became endorsed by Southampton Drumzone.

In May 2008, Wayne began entering some of his students for Rockschool drum exams, and the first fourteen of these passed with mainly merits and distinctions. In
September 2008, Wayne Mahy Drum Tuition became DrumWorks.

2009 saw an increase of students enrolling for drum grade exams - 29 students in total, achieving a similar impressive success rate to that of 2008.

In August 2009, DrumWorks was approached by the Tech Music Schools, London, to form a partnership with Drumtech. DrumWorks is now an exclusive local agent for Drumtech, preparing people for their next level of study at Drumtech and assessing their suitability for the courses offered. For more information on the partnership, see
here.

Later the same year, the DrumWorks studio had a facelift thanks to a local kids club (Verandah Kids) who needed to use the room above the studio for after-school activities. Realising that drums are not the quietest instrument, they kindly footed the bill for the room to be revamped and for professional soundproofing to be installed.

2010 saw another busy year for DrumWorks. A total of 38 students took Rockschool drum grade examinations with a record number of 13 distinctions being achieved.
Two students took the grade 8 examination, passing with merit - a remarkable achievement considering they were aged 12 and 13 years! DrumWorks recognised their success by awarding them prizes for outstanding achievement, one of which was donated by DrumWorks and the other by Southampton Drumzone.

Later this year, DrumWorks was approached by another school, the newly-built St Sampson's High School and weekly lessons are now offered there.

2011 brings another big leap for DrumWorks by taking on a brand new teacher to help with the growing waiting list. Welcome aboard Andy!

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