Hitting things is fun!.

A person playing a snare drum with drumsticks in a dimly lit setting.

DRUM TEACHERS

Playing drums offers a unique blend of physical activity, creativity, and mental discipline. It improves coordination and timing, essential skills that carry over into other areas of life. Drumming is a powerful form of self-expression, allowing you to communicate emotions rhythmically and dynamically. It also provides an excellent stress outlet, helping to release tension and improve mood.

Using the Ollie Boorman Drum Academy scheme of work we now bring professional drum tuition to the Eastbourne Studio.

British-based freelance drummer Ollie is a dynamic force in the London music scene, balancing his work with his own band, The Earmarked Trio, alongside a thriving career as a versatile working drummer and educator. His impressive portfolio includes collaborations with renowned artists such as Alexandra Burke, Pixie Lott, The Proclaimers, Katrina & the Waves, Rose Royce, The London Community Gospel Choir, Alvin Stardust, Sheila Ferguson of The Three Degrees, and Mary Wilson of The Supremes.
Ollie's versatility shines through his work with iconic acts like The Drifters, Sonia, Kiki Dee, Joe Stilgoe, Chris Kamara, Ian Shaw, and Liane Carroll. Beyond live performances and studio sessions, he has an extensive footprint in theatre, having contributed to major productions including The Bodyguard, Sister Act, the UK tour of Grease, and Chess. As an educator,
Ollie is deeply committed to nurturing new talent, sharing his wealth of experience with aspiring musicians across East Sussex and beyond.
JOSH SYMES
Josh is a professional Drummer and Educator from Brighton, England. Musical credits include; Beyond The Barricade UK Tour (2023/24/25/26); Rocky Horror Show World Tour 2025; Jordan Productions Pantomimes (2023/24/25/26); Drums for Rainbow Rae (with Tony Award-winning composer Sarah Travis); first album recorded aged 13, used by the BBC for The Boat Race closing credits (2011); National and International playing credits with Licence to Ceilidh (clients include: BBC, Channel 4, E4, ITV, Sting); Drums/ Percussion for; Evita, JCS, 9 - 5, Carrie, Little Shop of Horrors, 13, Grease, Peter Pan, Made in Dagenham, Joseph, Shrek & many more! Original compositions used in projects around the world with over 100k streams; featured on recordings with Richard Horne (RPO) and Dave Cottrell (Hamilton, West End). As an Educator, Josh teaches at; Claremont Senior School, Battle Abbey Prep, Mayfield Girls, The Ollie Boorman Drum Academy, online from his home studio and privately around Mid Sussex.
James is a drummer and teacher based in Eastbourne. He began drumming at age 11 after being inspired by Aerosmith’s ‘Walk This Way’, and studied privately to build a strong foundation in technique, rhythm, and music reading.
He has performed in a wide range of settings, from high-energy pop and rock bands to an acoustic duo with his brother. Live work has taught him how to lock in with other musicians, adapt to dynamics, and support the music. Alongside his drumming, he has also contributed backing vocals, arranging ideas, and songwriting. His playing experience spans styles including blues, funk, country, and musical theatre.
As a teacher, James has worked with students of all levels, from beginners to advanced players preparing for exams or gigs. His experience includes teaching at schools around Sussex and working with Ollie at the academy, where he helps students build solid foundations and real-world drumming skills.
James also runs a popular drumming education channel on YouTube and is the author of a beginner drum book used by students worldwide, including many at the Ollie’s School.
His teaching focuses on groove, feel, and musicality. He helps students understand what they’re playing, learn songs accurately, and become reliable, musical drummers that others enjoy playing with.
James is a professional drummer based in the southeast of England. With nearly twenty years of playing experience and over a decade of performing live, in the studio, and on the radio, he has built a diverse and accomplished career.

He has worked with a wide range of artists, including Dana Gillespie, Mark Hummel, Loop Masters, Night Owl Shows, Roberto Picazo, Licence to Ceilidh, The Drawtones, and many more. His performances have taken him to renowned venues such as Ronnie Scott’s and The Green Note, as well as major events like The British Country Music Festival. Most recently, he played live on Radio 3 in Spain.
Sam Senior. Multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, performer and tutor from East Sussex. In various different bands, he has performed at all sorts of music venues such as: The Forum in Tunbridge Wells; The White Rock Theatre; The Brighton Centre; The Cavern Club in Liverpool and many more.
His teaching style focusses on the overall sound of music and learning how to interpret other instruments. This helps to develop in a more creative approach.
Jacob studied at The Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford, Surrey, graduating with a BA Honours Degree. He spent the next three years travelling around the world on cruise ships, performing in show bands, cabarets, jazz and party bands.

Since then, Jacob has worked on many UK Touring Theatre Productions, including Calendar's Girl The Musical, Waitress, Jersey Boys, Heathers, Nativity The Musical, Hairspray, The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Take That & Tim Firth's: The Band, as well as drumming in numerous pantomime productions. Jacob also enjoys working for various wedding bands and tribute shows, including Licence To Ceilidh.
In 2024, Jacob drummed for Strictly Come Dancing performers on their solo UK & Ireland tours, working with Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice in ‘Together’ and ‘Let Me Entertain You’.
As well as performing Jacob enjoys sharing his love for music and the drums; teaching at The Ollie Boorman Drum Academy and Bedes Senior School, Hailsham.escription
I’m Ed, a freelance drummer based in the south east of the UK. I’m passionate about drums and all things drumming, and I love sharing that passion with others. I spend most of my time doing that by making music with others or by teaching, but I’m always keen to find other ways to share and pass on my love of drumming too, and enjoy seeing where the instrument continues to take me.
I started drumming aged 11 when my parents got me a drum kit for Christmas, but I’d been fortunate to grow up surrounded by music before that too. I instantly fell in love with the drums, and it didn’t take me long to figure out that it was what I wanted to do from then on! Ever since, I continued to pour my efforts into taking my drumming as far as I could, and I consider myself very fortunate to now be surrounded by drums every day, whatever I might be doing with them!
Chris is a freelance drummer from brighton, with over 20 years musical experience. Whilst studying at the brighton institute if modern music he was signed to a major talent agency, where he got to work alongside many talented artists as well as working on X factor and Britain's got talent.
Chris believes strongly in having a strong mastery of the fundamentals and how to get a good sound from how you play.