Student Stories: Marion

One of the most rewarding parts of teaching music is seeing how it changes people’s lives in ways they never expected. Not every student starts young, and not every musical journey begins with confidence. Sometimes it begins with a simple question: “Am I too old to learn?”

The story below is written by one of our adult students, Marion, who started drum lessons after a particularly difficult period in life. Over the past year, we’ve watched her grow not only as a drummer but also in confidence, creativity, and joy. Her journey is a reminder that music really is for everyone, at any stage of life.

I used to ask myself: “Am I too old to learn drums?”

It turns out the answer is simple: no, not at all.

Having already tried – and failed – to learn another musical instrument (in my case, the piano… twice), I wondered if perhaps I just wasn’t musical. Maybe some people simply don’t have it?

Again, the answer seems to be: no, not at all.

In the summer of 2024, about nine months after a difficult battle with stress and anxiety that had been severe enough to end my career, I found myself sitting in my sister’s church. During the service, I became completely mesmerised by the drummer in the worship band.

Her whole body seemed to radiate joy as she played. She was clearly younger than me – but not that much younger. And I remember thinking, Wow… I would love to be able to do that.

Eventually, I plucked up the courage to go and speak to her. She was incredibly encouraging and suggested that I start lessons at a music school that offered a free trial session.

Not long after, I booked my first lesson.

My big question for the teacher that day was simple: “Do you think I’m teachable?” I explained that my age, and my tendency towards dyspraxia, might be barriers.

He reassured me that I had done perfectly well in the lesson and saw no reason at all why I wouldn’t be able to learn the drums.

So I took him at his word — and booked lessons.

After my first six lessons (and a seven-week trip to Australia in between), I moved to TMH for my tuition as it was much closer to home. I’ve now been learning there for just over twelve months, and an awful lot has happened along the way.

In August 2025, I bought my very first drum kit — an electronic one, mainly to keep the peace with the neighbours! It took me a while to learn how to set it up properly, but with help from my teacher and a bit of determination, I got there in the end.

My motivation to master setting up the kit actually came from an unexpected direction. Out of the blue, I received an invitation to drum with a small worship band — despite my protestations that I was “not very good yet!” Suddenly, being able to set up and pack down a drum kit efficiently became quite important.

I nervously went along to a Tuesday night rehearsal in October, intending simply to watch and see how things worked.

Instead, I somehow found myself playing with the band that very same weekend at St Bart’s Church.

It was an incredible experience — exciting, slightly terrifying, and hugely rewarding all at the same time. Even more surprising was what happened afterwards. Since then, I’ve occasionally been stopped by people at church and recognised as “the drummer from church.” I have to admit, that moment of recognition absolutely made my day.

Experiences like this were gently building my confidence — and it wasn’t long before the next opportunity arrived.

The next challenge arrived when my music teacher invited me to perform in the annual TMH concert. With a mixture of nerves and excitement, I accepted the opportunity to play on stage with a live band.

Although none of my friends or family could attend in person, they watched via WhatsApp video — including my most enthusiastic supporter, my son in Australia.

Since starting drum lessons and playing regularly with the St Bart’s worship band, I’ve grown enormously in confidence and self-esteem.

Drumming has become:

• an outlet for creative energy

• a new sense of community and belonging

• the joy of learning and developing new skills

• a way of connecting with people of all ages and backgrounds

And, of course, it has also earned me some serious “cool Grandma” kudos!

More than anything, it has helped me learn to dream new dreams about what I might still achieve. Perhaps that’s a story for another blog…

But the most important thing I’ve learned is this:

No matter how many times you may have tried before — and perhaps not succeeded — if you feel that music is somewhere inside you, if you feel rhythm in your feet or fingers, it may simply be that you haven’t found your instrument yet.

Keep listening. Keep looking.

Because sometimes, as it did for me… the instrument finds you.

Marion