Rob's Drum Shed

Musician, Educator, Researcher
From a very early age, music became both a refuge and a discipline in my life. My dad's shed was where I first escaped the outside world, rehearsed with friends, and began learning the craft of drumming from the ground up. One of my earliest lessons was disassembling drums and rebuilding them into pristine working order - an experience that taught me patience, curiosity, and respect for the instrument.

A Lifetime in Music
Those early experiences shaped the way I still approach music today: through persistence, disciplined practice, and the belief that real growth comes from working through frustration toward discovery. Across performance, teaching, composition, and research, I remain committed to building meaningful work and helping others develop their own musical voice.

Professional Background
I am a drummer, educator, author, and researcher with a PhD in Musicology from the Elder Conservatorium of Music, University of Adelaide. My work brings together practical musicianship and academic inquiry, with a focus on music education, historical musicology, and Australian popular music culture.

Through Rob's Drum Shed, I have developed lessons, resources, and learning materials designed to help students build strong foundations in technique, creativity, and musical understanding. My aim is not only to teach drumming, but to support confidence, independence, and lifelong engagement with music.

A Commitment to the Future
I am dedicated to the future of our industry and its growth - and to sharing the immense benefit of our culture by giving all people access to the art of drumming and the wonderful world of music. I believe music education should be inclusive, practical, and inspiring, helping people connect with both their own creativity and the wider musical community.

Let's Get Started
Whether you are just beginning, returning to the instrument, or looking to take your playing further, I invite you to explore the lessons, resources, and courses available through Rob's Drum Shed

Join the community, start learning, and keep the music moving forward.

The joys of discovery, to push through the frustration with determination through a belief in developing something greater and the feeling of elation when things started to come together.

The desire has never changed throughout my life, music has always been a constant companion and I respect the art form greatly, to be blessed to explore this and witness so much is a gift, for which I am eternally grateful.

Alex Duthart drum salute performed by Rob Boundy and Zac Burford at Rob's Drum Shed concert 2010. A pretty reasonable effort, a great piece to play.

Rob says "As a mere mortal performing this, (with no warmup), there were only a few minor indescretions on my behalf.
Zac, then, as a year 10 student, did an amazing job, such a talented and dedicated student.
Christian who is playing bass drum, sight read the part on the day, another very talented student."

Click here to view the video

Congratulations to Mike Bos and Joe McGowan along with The Senior Drum Corps for a great performance for SACE Stage 2 final moderation."

Travice & Dean Boundy 1945/46
Adelaide College of Music.

Rob Boundy has stayed actively employed in "The Australian Music Business" since 1976 and started as a student with the Adelaide College of Music in 1968.

Joined Adelaide Highland Pipe Band 1970 under the tutelage of Lindsay Chuck and Daryl James.

My Ludwig

From 1976 to 1979 Rob worked at EMS records and gained experience at Adelaide's only Major independent Recording and distribution facility.

At the end 1979 Rob started to rehearse with old friends from school and recorded a demo with hope of gigging around town, while working for MGD Audio assisting with sound and lighting to gain some live experience.

In late 1982 at a local gig when the power went out, Rob was asked to play a drum solo to keep the crowd entertained, this turned out to work in his favor for the following week that band "The Modes" asked him to replace their drummer and they started heavy local gigging and started touring nationally in Melbourne, Sydney and Queensland.

Check out a tune from this era by Glenn Kristoffer, Will Taylor, Pete Donovan, Rob Boundy & Malcolm Hay 'Roadhound'

In 1985 the manager of Melbourne act "Wendy and the Rockets" invited Rob to move to Melbourne to start a new project, things didn't quite pan out with that project so Rob sought employment at Brash's 108 Elizabeth Street City store.

While jamming with local Melbourne players from "The Phantom Band" along with Guitar Virtuoso "Jimi Hocking". A chance meeting with the singer from "The Virgin Soldiers" was asked to join and this was a great era of Hard Rock in Melbourne. The Soldiers released a self-titled 4 track EP in 1987. They toured and recorded several demos, and released a full length album in 1989 called "Watching the World".

Rob began studies with Frank Corniola, in 1986 and also had several lessons from local Jazz great Jeff Barnes.

A visit from USA PIT graduate Mike Fergusson while in Melbourne turned him onto a great wealth of knowledge and the experience of hosting several Drum Clinics from 1988 to 1991.

In 1992 decided to return home to Adelaide, and went back to study Snare Drumming with:
- "Royal Caledonian Society"
- "Adelaide University Regiment"

and Grade 2 Champions
- "The City of Adelaide".

In 1994 Rob Studied Certificate 4 in Commercial Music with Laurie Kennedy in 1994. He has participated in Master Classes with Frank Corniola, Dave Weckl, Virgil Donati, Dom Famularo, Grant Collins, Jeff Barnes and Darren Farrugia.

Personally managed clinics for Frank Corniola, Simon Phillips, Dave Weckl, Virgil Donati, David Jones, Will Calhoun, Dom Famularo, Mike Mangini, Darren Farrugia, Alex Pertout,

Jeff Barnes and Mike Fergusson both locally and in Melbourne.

Rob has won Grade 3 South Australian Pipe Band Championships in 1995 as Drum Sergeant with Royal Caledonian Society, as well as South Australian Championships in Grade 2 with City of Adelaide Pipe Band in 2006 and 2007.

In 1996, saw the return to gigging with local Adelaide bands "Crossfire" and "Tour of Duty"

In 2000 I started out as a founding member of Irish Folk band "The Range Rovers"
This continued up until he was asked to join "Panic" and founding members of local legends "The Grouse". 2011 brought about Rob's return to playing Hard Rock, joining "Hollywood gun Club".

As an arranger and inspired songwriter, having co-written over 40 songs, Rob continues to write and record his own solo original tracks, and with some old friends from the past continues on the journey down the road of musical self-discovery.

In 2001 Rob's Drum Shed Teaching Studios were started in a small Retail shop, only to move to a private drum studio at home in 2003.

2011 started work (after moving to Birkenhead) on building a new home studio.

Rob's continues on with professional Drum

kit teaching, stylistically leaning towards Contemporary Rock Studies from 1960s to present.

Rob also teaches private students at Cabra Dominican College, and instructs over 40 students in American style Drum Corps.

In 2015-2016 I studied Music Education at The University of Adelaide's Elder Conservatorium of Music. During this period I directed, performed, educated and toured, presented and performed with my Ensembles, The Cabra Dominican College Drum Corps and The Raiders Drum Corps.

I presented papers at ASME XXth conference and MTASA 2016, conducted workshops at WOMAD 2015, performed at The 2015 Cricket World Cup, Australia's Ultimate Drummers Weekend, ABODA Band Festival, (Open Percussion Section Winner) and FFA Soccer Grand Final.

Performing, Studying and Teaching Music is my life's work, passion and vocation, working professionally with my colleagues, peers and students.

2017 - 2018:
Bachelor of Music Honours Degree-First Class, Music Education and Pedagogy.

The Elder Conservatorium of Music, The University of Adelaide.

2020 - 2023:
Doctor of Philosophy - The Elder Conservatorium of Music, University of Adelaide.

Thesis Title: Make a Change: The Experience, Identity and Culture of Pub Rock Music in Adelaide, South Australia. (1962-1994).