our story
Drum With Alex began in 2012, when Alex started teaching drums to a family friend.
What started with one student gradually grew as more children, families and schools came on board. In 2021, Alex Lewis Drum Lessons became Drum With Alex, and today DWA has grown into a wider music tuition business offering drums, guitar, piano and singing across schools in West Berkshire and Hampshire.
Although we’ve grown, the original idea hasn’t changed:
Make music enjoyable. Build confidence. Give children something to work towards. Help them discover what they’re capable of.
OUR MISSION
Our goal is to foster a love of music, boost confidence and provide a fun, rewarding experience for children.
We teach drums, guitar, piano and singing, but learning an instrument is only part of the picture. Music can support confidence, focus, coordination, concentration, self-esteem and a sense of belonging.
For some children, music becomes their thing – something they’re good at, something they look forward to and something that’s theirs.
Learn With DWAmeet the dwa team
Great music lessons need great teachers.
Our tutors bring their own musical experience, personality and enthusiasm to their lessons, while sharing the same DWA approach to teaching.
We look for more than brilliant musicianship. We want our tutors to be patient, engaging, enthusiastic, encouraging and kind – creating lessons where children feel comfortable having a go, making mistakes and discovering what they’re capable of.
Alex Lewis
Alex started the business in 2012 and is now in his 15th year of teaching drum lessons full-time. What began as Alex Lewis Drum Lesssons grew over the years and was rebranded as Drum With Alex in 2021, reflecting the expansion into more instruments, schools and a growing team of tutors.
Alex has built up a wide range of experience as both a teacher and professional musician. He studied under legendary English session drummer Clem Cattini, whose career includes an incredible 42 UK number-one singles, and has performed at weddings, pubs, festivals, on cruise ships and in theatres across the country. He was the drummer for the Calling Planet Earth 80s theatre show and has also performed with international tribute acts including The Rolling Clones.
His work has taken him into TV and radio too. Alex appeared as a TV extra on the BBC’s This Time with Alan Partridge, while his drum lessons and teaching have been featured on BBC Radio Solent.
Closer to home, Alex plays with Newbury-based band The Polite Applause and remains an active part of the local music scene. Despite running DWA, teaching remains a big part of what he does. Alex enjoys helping young musicians build confidence, develop their skills and experience the satisfaction that comes from finally cracking something they’ve been working on.
More than a decade after starting the business, Alex’s focus remains the same: making music lessons enjoyable, approachable and something students genuinely look forward to each week.
Steve Corrigan
Steve has been a valued part of the Drum With Alex team for over four years and brings more than 15 years of teaching and performing experience to his lessons. He is a passionate, enthusiastic and encouraging teacher who has a great ability to connect with young musicians. His students love his positive approach, and he works hard to make every lesson fun, engaging and something children look forward to each week.
Originally from Camden Music Service, Steve is an experienced drummer, guitarist and versatile musician. His performance background includes theatre shows, festivals and a variety of tribute bands, as well as recording at the legendary Abbey Road Studios.
Steve teaches drums and guitar at St James’ CE Primary School in Emsworth and Hambledon Primary School, where his enthusiasm for music helps inspire children to build confidence, develop their skills and, most importantly, enjoy playing.
Jack Smith
Jack has been a valued part of the Drum With Alex team for over four years, teaching drums across schools in Newbury and Thatcham. He is a warm, enthusiastic and passionate tutor who has a natural ability to connect with children and make them feel comfortable and confident in their lessons. Jack’s students love his friendly and encouraging approach, and his enthusiasm for music makes lessons fun, positive and something they look forward to each week.
With a BMus (Hons) in Contemporary Music from the Academy of Contemporary Music and over eight years of teaching experience, Jack combines strong musical knowledge with plenty of practical playing experience. He adapts his teaching to suit each individual student, helping them develop solid drumming skills and musical understanding while encouraging them to enjoy playing and express their own personality through music.
Jack’s patience, energy and genuine passion for teaching make him a popular tutor with students, and he takes great pride in seeing their confidence and ability grow.
Sion Whiley
Sion is a hugely popular guitar tutor at Francis Baily Primary School, where he was once a pupil himself. His warm, patient and enthusiastic approach has made his lessons a firm favourite with students. He has a real passion for helping children discover the guitar, build confidence and, above all, enjoy making music.
With over 20 years of experience as a full-time musician, Sion brings a wealth of knowledge in guitar, live performance, sound engineering, music production and mixing. His varied career has seen him perform everywhere from Land Rover launch events and weddings to the Isle of Wight Festival.
Sion is also well known on the local music scene for running a very popular open mic night in Newbury, giving musicians of all backgrounds and abilities the opportunity to perform. He brings this same welcoming and encouraging approach to his teaching, helping beginners build strong foundations while developing their own confidence and love of playing.
DEAN JONES
Dean is an experienced piano and drum tutor who teaches at Thatcham Park Primary School. A professional musician since 2001, Dean holds a BA (Hons) degree in Music and brings a wealth of musical knowledge, creativity and experience to his lessons.
Alongside teaching piano, drums and brass, Dean is a published composer and the author of Book of Drum Stars, his own drum tuition book. His experience writing and publishing educational music gives him a strong understanding of how to make learning clear, structured and enjoyable for young musicians.
Dean brings this creativity into his lessons, combining his professional musical background with a patient and encouraging teaching style. He enjoys helping students build strong foundations, grow in confidence and develop a genuine enjoyment of making music.
STEPH TOWNSEND
Steph works part-time with Drum With Alex and is a friendly, helpful and highly valued member of the team. Working behind the scenes, she helps keep everything organised and running smoothly, supporting parents, tutors and schools with the day-to-day administration that keeps DWA ticking.
With over 13 years of experience in administration, project management and social media across the arts and well-being sectors, Steph brings a wealth of knowledge and organisation to the role. Whether she’s helping with lesson enquiries, organising schedules, communicating with parents and tutors or sorting out the many little things that happen behind the scenes, Steph is always approachable, efficient and happy to help.
Steph and Alex actually go back a long way – they were in a band together at school! It’s great that, all these years later, they’re working together again and still involved in music.
Alongside her work with DWA, Steph is co-director of Movement Connects CIC, where she supports freelance movement artists through resources and networking opportunities. Her warm approach, reliability and willingness to help make her an important part of the Drum With Alex team.
daniel lines
Dan is an experienced drum and guitar tutor who teaches at Hambledon Primary School, Wickham CE Primary School in Fareham, and St James’ CE Primary School in Emsworth. With over 20 years of teaching experience, he is a calm, patient and encouraging tutor who brings a wealth of professional knowledge and real-world performance experience to his lessons.
Dan has performed around the world in tribute shows to artists including The Beatles, Busted and Christina Aguilera, as well as fronting a Muse tribute band. His career has taken him to more than 50 countries and over 50 cruise ships. He brings this extensive experience, passion and enthusiasm into his lessons, helping students develop their musical skills, confidence and enjoyment of playing.
ARTHUR HOBBY
Arthur is a skilled guitar and drum tutor who teaches at Francis Baily Primary School and Whitelands Park Primary School in Thatcham. Having studied guitar at BIMM University Brighton, Arthur has extensive performance experience with his alternative rock band, drawing influences from punk, metal and progressive rock.
An accomplished drummer as well as a guitarist, Arthur brings energy, precision and musicality to his teaching across both instruments. He is a calm, patient and encouraging tutor who is passionate about helping children progress, develop their creativity and build confidence. His versatile musical background and enthusiasm help make lessons engaging, enjoyable and inspiring.
Connor Brown
Connor is a friendly, patient and highly knowledgeable drum tutor who teaches at Wickham CE Primary School in Fareham. He has a real passion for helping young drummers develop their skills and confidence, creating relaxed and enjoyable lessons where students feel comfortable learning at their own pace.
Before joining Drum With Alex, Connor worked at Graham Russell Drums in Fareham, where he developed a huge knowledge of drums, equipment and everything that goes with being a drummer. Alongside teaching, Connor is a busy professional drummer with plenty of real-world playing and performance experience, which he brings naturally into his lessons.
Connor’s patience is a big part of his teaching style. He takes the time to understand each student, explain things clearly and encourage them through each stage of their progress. His combination of professional experience, extensive drumming knowledge and warm approach makes his lessons engaging, supportive and enjoyable for young musicians.
ellie chadwick
Ellie is an experienced vocal coach and professional performing musician who teaches at The Winchcombe School in Newbury. With over four years of teaching experience, she has worked with children aged 4-18 in one-to-one lessons, group classes and performance workshops, helping young singers develop healthy vocal technique, build confidence and enjoy discovering their own voice.
Ellie tailors her lessons to each student, creating a fun, supportive and engaging environment where they feel comfortable expressing themselves and reaching their full potential. Alongside teaching, Ellie performs professionally as a solo artist and with bands, bringing valuable real-world performance experience and enthusiasm into every lesson.
