Is it too late to learn drums as an adult?

No. About half of the current adult cohort at the Illawarra Drum & Music Academy started drumming in their thirties, forties, or fifties. The Rhythm Focus Method works particularly well for adults whose brains don't fit the traditional one-hour-a-day practice template.

Do you work with NDIS and DVA participants for music lessons?

Yes. John holds a Professional Certificate in Neurodivergent Affirming Practices and can invoice directly to your NDIS plan manager. The same applies for DVA participants.

Do you teach HSC music students?

Yes. John supports HSC music students with instrumental development, performance prep, composition, and assessment work. He has current relationships with several Illawarra schools and can coordinate with the student's music teacher.

SHELLHARBOUR · WOLLONGONG · ILLAWARRA

Music lessons for the
brain in front of you. Drum, guitar, bass and piano lessons in the Illawarra. Twenty years teaching. Specialist in ADHD and neurodivergent-affirming tuition.

A fully customised curriculum for every student. Kids from kindergarten through HSC. Adults at any stage, from absolute beginner to returning musician. NDIS and DVA participants welcome.

Book a Lesson → Call 0402 860 719

Professional Certificate in Neurodivergent Affirming Practices 30 years performing 20 years teaching NDIS & DVA

WHAT WE TEACH

Four instruments. One curriculum, fully customised to you.

There is no one-size-fits-all curriculum. Every student receives an individual learning plan tailored to their goals, interests and ability — whether that means HSC music preparation, learning your first song, or coming back to an instrument after twenty years away.

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Drum Tuition

ALL AGES · ALL LEVELS

John's primary instrument. Thirty years of professional performance. Twenty years of teaching from kindergarten through professional artists. Specialist in the Rhythm Focus Method™ — a research-backed approach to drum learning for the neurodivergent brain.

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Guitar Tuition

BEGINNER TO ADVANCED

Acoustic and electric. Rock, pop, blues, classical introduction. Fingerpicking and plectrum technique. Chord theory built around the songs you actually want to play.

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Bass Tuition

BEGINNER TO INTERMEDIATE

Four-string electric bass. The instrument every band needs and not enough players study. Walking lines, groove vocabulary, locking in with a drummer (especially this one).

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Piano Tuition

BEGINNER TO INTERMEDIATE

Classical introduction or pop/contemporary depending on the student. Theory built into practical playing. Useful for HSC music students and as a complementary second instrument.

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Additional Vocals

SUPPORTING ROLE

Vocal support taught alongside instrument lessons for students who want to sing while playing. Not classical voice training — practical microphone-and-mic-stand singing for the drummer or guitarist who needs to lead a song.

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Recording Sessions

FOR DEVELOPING ARTISTS

Use the studio for practice or to record your work. Useful for HSC composition projects, for assessment evidence, or for students wanting to capture their progress to listen back. Ask about availability.

THE METHOD

The Rhythm Focus Method.
Built around the brain in front of you.

Over twenty years, I've developed a structured way of teaching that works for the way neurodivergent students actually learn. It is the methodology behind two forthcoming books and the core of how lessons run in the studio.

The Method is built on four pillars and one rule: short, focused, daily practice beats heroic Saturday sessions every time. It works for ADHD and neurodivergent learners specifically, and works for almost everyone else as a side effect.

Routine

Same time, same warm-up. The routine carries you to the kit. No re-negotiation every day.

Focus

One exercise per session. Depth, not breadth. Each session has a clear win.

Momentum

Track every BPM. Watch your progress add up across weeks. The chart is what keeps you coming back.

Resonance

Play music you love, every week. The technical work has to serve real music or it stops happening.

ABOUT

Thirty years performing. Twenty years teaching.

John Ziogas, founder of Illawarra Drum & Music Academy — drum, guitar, bass and piano teacher in Shellharbour NSW

I am a professional musician with thirty years of performance experience and twenty years of teaching experience. I teach drums, guitar, bass, and additional vocals at my private studio, the Illawarra Drum & Music Academy, in Flinders, Shellharbour.

I began performing professionally in my early years, playing a wide range of venues. I started teaching in my late teens and have worked with students across all ages — from kindergarten through Year 12, young adults, and adults. My students include emerging musicians through to professional performers, including an ARIA Award winner: the 2024 Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist of the Year.

If a student has the desire to learn and improve, we can help them reach their goals.

I support students with:

Instrumental development
HSC music preparation
Assessment and assignment support for elective music
Performance development
Or simply learning music for enjoyment and personal growth

I hold a Professional Certificate in Neurodivergent Affirming Practices and am experienced in supporting neurodivergent learners. I also work with NDIS and DVA participants.

Alongside my private studio, I work with Corpus Christi High School and contribute to broader music education in the Illawarra.

"Music enriches confidence, creativity and personal growth. I am proud to support students in developing lifelong musical skills — whatever level they want to take it to."

BOOKS

Two books out in 2026.
The methodology, written down.

HOW LESSONS WORK

One-on-one tuition.
Customised to you, weekly, term by term.

Reach out

Send a quick enquiry through the form below or call. Tell me a bit about you or your child, the instrument you'd like to learn, and your goals. I'll come back within 24 hours.

First lesson

We meet for an initial lesson. It's a chance to see if it's a good fit, talk through what you want to learn, and start playing immediately. No obligation to continue.

Build the routine

Weekly lessons, same day and time, with a customised lesson plan that adjusts to your progress. Term-aligned to the school calendar where useful.

Practice between

You leave each lesson with a clear, structured practice plan for the week. The Rhythm Focus Method™ asks for short, focused sessions rather than long ones. Realistic for a busy life.

NDIS and DVA participants welcome — I can invoice directly to your plan manager. Get in touch to discuss the details.

FROM THE STUDIO

What parents and students say.

John has been teaching my son drums for nearly two years now. He didn't think he could sit still long enough to learn. Today he plays the back-beat to half the songs on the radio without thinking about it. The change has been quiet but absolutely real.

— Parent of student, Wollongong

I came back to drumming at forty-three after twenty-five years away. John's method is the first time anything has felt sustainable for the kind of brain I have. Twenty-five minutes a day, five days a week, and somehow the kit is still in my living room a year on.

— Adult student, returner

John worked with our daughter through her HSC music year. He was knowledgeable, patient, and treated her as a real musician rather than a student to be corrected. She passed with a result we didn't think was possible.

— Parent of HSC student, Shellharbour

I'd been told I was too old to learn. I'm fifty-five. John was the first teacher who didn't blink at that. I'm playing now. Nothing changes a person quite like learning something they were told they couldn't.

— Adult student, first-timer

All testimonials anonymised at request. Real student feedback collected with consent.

FAQ

Common questions.

How old does my child need to be to start?

I take students from kindergarten age (around 5) for drums and piano. Guitar and bass typically work better from age 7 onwards because of grip-and-hand-size considerations. The honest test is whether your child can sit at the kit for fifteen minutes with you in the room. If yes, they're ready.

I'm an adult who's never played. Is it too late?

No. About half my current adult student cohort started drumming in their thirties, forties, or fifties. The method works particularly well for adults whose brains don't fit the traditional "practise an hour a day" template. Drumming past fifty is, in my experience, more rewarding per session than at any other adult age.

Do you work with NDIS and DVA participants?

Yes. I'm experienced in supporting neurodivergent learners and hold a Professional Certificate in Neurodivergent Affirming Practices. I can invoice directly to your NDIS plan manager. For DVA participants, the same applies. Get in touch to confirm the specifics for your situation.

What instrument should I (or my child) start with?

If you don't have a strong preference, drums are the easiest first instrument for the ADHD brain because of the immediate physical feedback. Guitar is the most flexible long-term — easy to bring to a campfire, plays well in most popular music. Piano is the best foundation if music theory is the long-term goal. Voice / additional vocals work alongside any instrument. We can talk about it in your first lesson.

Do you offer trial lessons?

Yes. The first lesson is a no-obligation chance to meet, talk through what you want to learn, and see if it's a fit. If after the first lesson it's clearly not right for any reason, no follow-up booking required.

Where is the studio?

Flinders, Shellharbour NSW 2529. Easy access from Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, and the wider Illawarra. Full address shared on booking confirmation.

What about HSC music students?

I support HSC music students with instrumental development, assessment and assignment work, performance prep, and composition support. I have current relationships with several Illawarra schools and can coordinate with your music teacher if useful.

Can I bring my child's existing teacher's curriculum?

Absolutely. If your child is already in lessons elsewhere and you want supplementary support, or transition between teachers, I'll work alongside whatever curriculum is already in place. The Rhythm Focus Method™ is designed to be additive, not exclusive.

BOOK A LESSON

Let's talk.

Tell me a bit about you (or your child) and I'll come back to you within 24 hours with availability and the next-step plan.

PHONE

0402 860 719

LOCATION

Flinders, Shellharbour NSW 2529

johnziogas@live.com

Music lessons for the brain in front of you. Drum, guitar, bass and piano lessons in the Illawarra. Twenty years teaching. Specialist in ADHD and neurodivergent-affirming tuition.