ABOUT
Learn from a Working Drummer — and an Experienced Educator Who Understands How Beginners Learn
Hi, I’m Ben Hodges, founder of BH Drum Academy.
I’m a professional drummer and certified educator based in Winnipeg, with nearly 20 years of experience as a musician and over 15 years of teaching experience. I hold a Bachelor of Education degree, and I’ve spent my career combining real‑world music performance with proven teaching methods that help students actually learn — not just copy patterns.
As a working drummer, I’ve played in bands, recorded music, and shared stages with artists like The Headstones, I Mother Earth, Bif Naked, Sebastian Bach, Good Riddance, Sloan, Harlequin, One Bad Son, The Lazys, and many others — from local venues to larger stages across Canada and the U.S., including Hollywood, California.
But my own journey into drumming wasn’t traditional.
I started as a saxophone player, and didn’t begin learning drums until I was 17 years old. I didn’t go through a formal music degree program — instead, I learned by watching, listening, experimenting, playing in bands, and slowly building skills through real musical situations. That experience shaped how I teach today.
As an educator, I know that people learn in different ways. Some learn best by watching, some by listening, some by doing — and most beginners need structure, clarity, and encouragement, not information overload. With so much drumming content online, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or unsure of what actually matters.
That’s why BH Drum Academy exists.
This program is built around:
A clear beginner‑to‑intermediate learning path
Song‑based instruction using real music
Guided group sessions and programs
Flexible online learning that fits real life
Teaching methods grounded in educational best practices
My goal isn’t to turn students into the fastest or flashiest drummers — it’s to help them become confident, musical, and consistent players who enjoy the process of learning.
Whether you’re picking up the sticks for the first time or looking to finally build solid foundations, I’m excited you’re here — and I’m looking forward to helping you grow as a drummer.