Hi, my name is Warren Knocker and I am the creator and owner of Drum Nation and this is my story. Since I was a child, I had an overwhelming passion and fascination for the instrument, and it was that passion that brought me to where I am today. Anyone can teach himself or herself how to play the drums as I tried to, however, there were many days filled with frustration when I could not play to my favourite song or perform to my fullest within my local bands. That is why I needed to seek external help from a professional, who could cut my learning time in half and help me to achieve my goals in quick succession.
I studied under the great Georg Voros (Performer, Author, Teacher, Master clinician) for many awesome years and completed my graded exams 1 through to 8. I then completed my Rock School level 4 in performing arts and later my Rock School Level 6 Licentiate. After completing my Licentiate, I studied Psychology at the South African College of Applied Psychology. Where studying drums under Georg gave me the knowledge of all things drumming, studying Psychology taught me how to become a true teacher and mentor and gave me the skills I needed on how to effectively transfer the drumming information to an individual and how to make a real impact in a person’s life.
After completing my Licentiate and whilst studying Psychology, I began teaching drums to anyone wanting the experience I was so fortunate to have. That is where the teaching monster was born within me. Not only did I find an absolute thrill in seeing my students shred on the kit and achieve their goals; but I began to notice how my students started referring to themselves as "Drummers" and noticed the difference the drum kit began to have in their lives.
Why pass information to a student in the shape of squares when the student receives information in circles? This skill of understanding of how a student’s mind works when receiving information along with giving the student the right information, allowed them to achieve their goals at rapid rates and they began viewing their drum kit differently. Not only were my students able to shred on the kit with great skilful ability and technique; but a personal relationship and bond was always formed. I care deeply for the desires and dreams of each of my students and take their dreams upon myself, to help them achieve it. I do not just teach my students about drums, but about life with drums in it and how the drum kit can teach and equip you with skills to achieve other goals in life.
My teaching career started with me taking on private students whilst I was studying the drums and Psychology. As I progressed in my studies and while my private client base was growing, I got offered a position in a local music school to teach at Curo Aurora. I spent a good few years there and then later got asked by a mentor and friend to come and teach at Auckland Park Prep Primary school. Whilst teaching at ‘APPS’ for a few years, I then got offered to also teach at the Morris Isaacson Centre for Music in Soweto. My career was now booming but it was always a dream for me to create my own school.
Thus the birth of Drum Nation began. The combination between personal journeying, lifestyle, and the construction of a drummer who will succeed in any musical environment.
I took a leap of faith and started Drum Nation in 2018. Having a Rockschool Grade 3, 4, 6,7 & 8; a Rockschool Level 4 Diploma and Level 6 Licentiate; A Berklee college of my music theory certificate; a BA degree in Applied Social Sciences as well as 6 years’ worth of teaching and performing experience, I was now ready to carve my own pathway.
I began giving lessons to students in the comfort of their own homes, taking on the travel costs and the cost of the wear and tear/maintenance of my vehicle. I was willing to pay this price to start the dream I had in my mind. I then asked my mother if I could use her garage and convert it into a teaching studio. She agreed and Drum Nation now had a headquarters. My students began traveling to me and because I didn’t have the wasted traveling time anymore, I could accommodate more students. I grew the school, and more and more people came. I was able to grow a big enough client base that I was then able to purchase a property fully dedicated to Drum Nation. Drum Nation now had its own home.
The growth never stopped. As I gained more clients, I realised very quickly that I would soon get too full and would need extra help. I then created the Drum Nation dream team. Because of the many years of teaching, I had students under me who were seriously good players, had a firm drumming education and were now out of school also looking to create their own pathways. Drum Nation gained new teachers and could accommodate more students. With having such a powerful name and reputation in the South African music industry, other brick and mortar schools started reaching out and Drum Nation then got contracted into other schools which made Drum Nation a multi school organisation. Drum Nation not only offered its services from its headquarters in Randburg but offered it to other schools in the comfort of their own premises.
Drum Nation still has far to go! Our general standard of playing as a country in South Africa still cannot compete with the standard of the United States and the average drummer in South Africa is not performing at the same level as the average drummer in the United States. This is our goal, to provide real education and training to all South African drummers so that we close the gap between the South African playing level and the playing level of those who live in the USA. We want to see all South African drummers become well trained and educated drummers so that they can gain opportunity and compete on an international level. Our talent in SA is phenomenal, and it is the goal of Drum Nation to take SA talent and nurture and structure it so our players become world class.
Sometimes I wish I could go back and start from scratch. I wish I could learn my instrument all over again just because of how fun and amazing the journey was. I can’t do that, but I can offer that to someone else, and that is the drive behind my school, Drum Nation.