WOW!!! 2010 …. What a year!!!!!
Not just a drummer, but also as a guy having to move from his hometown, Johannesburg, to a place of which I knew nothing about. It was hard at first to adjust to this new lifestyle, but man what an amazing experience. Little did I know that I would be able to spend so much time with my instrument. I went from practicing a measly 4 -6 hours a day, to averaging 8 or more hours a day!!! I never knew I could grow so much in a year and it didn’t stop there. Seeing as I did my Grade 6 exam in 2009(and also barely passed it) it was obvious that I would do my Grade 8 in my second year which was 2010. In the first term I was thrown into the 3rd year class as I was the only 2nd year at the time and it was hard to balance out a schedule to accommodate me in having class. As if that wasn’t enough, I was given the option to do my ATCL exam (which for those of you who do not know is skipping 4 grades!) and I knew I had to take the opportunity but also knowing that I would have to work the hardest of all the student seeing as I had this huge mountain in my way!! My teacher throughout the year, Andries Visser, who needs no introduction, had clearly told me that it was a big risk to skip so many grades but had also encouraged me that to know that through hard work nothing is impossible. I really learnt a lot from Andries in 2010. Not just as a musician but also as a friend and leader. I was blessed to have such a great in my midst. As the year went on I had really practiced a lot and could see results at the end every term went I went back home and played. It really showed me that commitment pays off … in due time … and that part we always forget, that it takes time! As the final term started I knew that my time was running out to worry about this HUGE exam I was taking. From day 1 in that last term I spent 8 HOURS a day EVERY day practicing EVERY one of my 10 pieces at least TWICE a day. I have never pushed myself like that ever but I knew that this was going to go in my favor.

And at last … D-Day … 1 November 2010 arrived and it was do or die for me and my fellow students. Strange thing was that I wasn’t nervous … WHAT!!! Not nervous!!! How is that even possible? Well it is and was for me that day. I did my exam and walked out as confident as I could ever be. Thinking back on the year a realized that I had gained so much more what I had sacrificed to study at Groove Regulators Jeffrey’s Bay. I had made 8 awesome new friends and I got the opportunity work with some very talented musicians.

Anyway along came Christmas and New Year and yes, I was starting worry about my results. One afternoon I received a phone call … it was Andries … “Hi there, I received your exam results today”… and slowly but surely my hart moved into my throat. And then I heard something I never expected to hear … WHAT!!! … I scored 77% for my ATCL exam … Impossible!!! Well not only was it possible, but I now it was a reality. A year at the drumming school in the country in my opinion and I had been able to grow so much that I would never again doubt my ability … ever! And that is what I learnt last year. It’s not about where you are in life, but it’s about where you want to go! And I had gone past my expectations. So I would like to encourage every drummer or musician

that wants to take time to work on their passion to come and to it HERE … Jeffery’s Bay … the most awesome place in the country, and most importantly, at the Groove Regulators South Africa, the best place I could ever wish to be. So using this ability that God has blessed me with I will carry on working on and crafting it until my purpose has been served to the Glory of God!

What a experiencing at the Groove Regulators. My dream came true to study drums since matric. This was living life to the fullest for me. The growth was exponential for me on the drums and even the little problem areas which Andries points out.  Andries as teacher/friend is awesome people’s person always pushing you to your limit and beyond. Living the life with other musicians was a great, encouraging each other and being there for one another (a Brotherhood of friends).

Doing activities like surfing, sand surfing and black water tubing was the added bonus. This how you live life! Come join Groove Regulators for hard work but also great fun. Thanks to the Father above!

Joining GR in 2010 was a very hard thing for me to do, being away from home, my family friends and girlfriend, but in the end was probably the best decision I have made in my life so far. Music was and still is all I want out of life, and there is nothing better than Playing music every day! Last year I did my grade 6 and got 79% for it this year I am going for my grade 8 and couldn’t be more pumped!

If music is what you love, don’t waste time studying other stuff do yourself a favour... join a serious music college like Groove Regulators and follow what you enjoy doing.

2010 was an amazing year, packed to the brim with extreme challenges and opportunities for radical growth, both in skill and character.  Faced with tough circumstances and amazing opportunities, laughter and tears, friends and well… people, I was glad that there was always a place at the campus. 

And although it too had many challenges;  it was home, and great friends made the intense program seem accomplishable and at the end I was blown away by the improvement that had taken place.  A great year;  one that shaped a great deal of who I am as a drummer and a person.