Giuliano Kolling
About
Hi, I’m Giuliano, a professional drummer and drum teacher with over 20 years of teaching experience, including more than a decade teaching full-time in London.
I graduated in Drum Performance from BIMM London and later spent seven years as the main drum teacher at Drumshack, one of London’s best-known specialist drum stores and teaching studios.
Over the years, I have taught children, teenagers and adults, from complete beginners picking up the sticks for the first time to experienced players preparing for advanced graded exams. Every student I have personally prepared for a Trinity Rock & Pop or RSL Rockschool exam has achieved either Merit or Distinction, with the majority receiving Distinction.
Students often come to me because they feel stuck, do not know what to practise next, struggle to play in time, or find it difficult to connect grooves and fills smoothly. My goal is to make progress clear and achievable, while keeping lessons enjoyable and connected to the music you genuinely want to play.
Whether you want to learn your first complete song, improve your timing, technique and coordination, develop more confident grooves and fills, prepare for a graded exam, or finally move beyond the same patterns you have been playing for years, I can help you build the skills and confidence to move forward.
I teach rock, pop and a wide range of contemporary styles, adapting lessons to each student’s level, musical interests and personal goals. I also have extensive experience helping adult beginners and returning drummers who may feel nervous or believe they have started too late.
Lessons are available in English or Portuguese and are taught online to students worldwide.
You do not need to be naturally talented or already know how to read music. You simply need a willingness to learn, practise consistently and take the next step. I will help you understand exactly what that next step should be.
Teaching Style
My teaching style is patient, encouraging and practical. I never want students to feel judged for making mistakes; instead, I use them to identify exactly what needs attention and break difficult grooves, fills or coordination into clear, manageable steps.
I focus on helping students understand how to practise, not simply what to play. Lessons are structured around the student’s goals and connected to real music, with particular attention to timing, control and confidence. Students leave each lesson knowing exactly what to work on next, without feeling overwhelmed.
Curriculum
My teaching method is personalised to each student’s level, goals and musical interests. I do not require every student to follow the same method book; instead, I select and adapt concepts that are most useful for the individual.
Depending on the student’s needs, I may draw from established methods such as Stick Control for the Snare Drummer by George Lawrence Stone, The New Breed by Gary Chester, Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer by Ted Reed, and Sticking Patterns by Gary Chaffee.
These books can be used directly when a student would like to follow a structured method, but I often apply their underlying concepts through personalised exercises, grooves, fills and musical examples. I also provide clear lesson notes and practice material tailored to what we cover in each session.
When appropriate, lessons may also include Trinity Rock & Pop or RSL Rockschool material, song transcriptions and backing tracks. The aim is always to connect technique, coordination, reading and timing to real music rather than studying exercises in isolation.
Credentials & Affiliations
I graduated in Drum Performance from BIMM London, with my degree awarded by the University of West London.
Before moving to the UK, I studied privately for almost four years with renowned Brazilian drummer Demétrius Locks. His approach to technique, coordination and Brazilian rhythms had an important influence on my development as a drummer and teacher.
During my time at BIMM, I also attended drum clinics and masterclasses with internationally respected drummers including Benny Greb, Aaron Spears, Matt Halpern, Steve Jordan and many others.
I later spent seven years as the main drum teacher at Drumshack, one of London’s best-known specialist drum stores and teaching studios. I have over 20 years of teaching experience and extensive experience preparing students for Trinity Rock & Pop and RSL Rockschool examinations. Every student I have personally prepared has achieved either Merit or Distinction, with the majority receiving Distinction.
