The Yin and Yang of it – How does one become both a professional musician and a teacher of yoga?

Dharma – one’s life purpose – has a way of guiding us, often around the obstacles we create.

Drew was introduced to meditation at the age of ten when his mother took him to a Transcendental
Meditation teacher. Further early explorations into eastern philosophy came by studying Korean
and Japanese martial arts.
At the age of twenty Drew started practising yoga asana and he has maintained a practise for over
nineteen years. Between 2002 and 2003 Drew studied with respected Iyengar Yoga instructor and
Director of the Yoga Institute of Miami, Bobbi Goldin.
Since 2003 Drew has studied with internationally renowned ‘Teacher of Teachers’ and founder of
Purna Yoga, Aadil Palkhivala. Aadil opened Drew’s heart to the full spectrum offered by the
evolutionary path of Purna Yoga.

Drew started playing guitar at the age of 9 but after a couple of years of not practicing he gave up.
When the chance came, at the age of 11, to play snare drum in the school band Drew jumped in
with both feet. Still not dedicated to practice, Drew nearly gave up music altogether at the age of 14
until his mother promised to buy him a drumkit if he would continue in the school band. Sold on the
idea, Drew started playing drumkit and has never looked back.
Drew was lucky to participate in a strong High School music program at Pasco High School with bands
under the direction of Randy Hubbs and choirs under the direction of Mike Garrett. Drew was able to
continue study under the tutelage of Randy Hubbs at Columbia Basin College. The teacher who
influenced Drew the most was his percussion instructor at the Lionel Hampton School of Music,
Dan Bukvich. Under his guidance Drew developed a deeper understanding of drums and percussion
and their place in traditional and contemporary music.
Drew received a Bachelor of Music: Instrumental Performance from the Lionel Hampton School of Music
graduating with highest distinction (summa cum laude). While at university and after graduating Drew
started the long and often difficult journey from hungry young student to seasoned pro by performing
in a country band, blues bands, jazz combos, showbands on cruise ships, pop bands and freelance
percussion work. Drew continues to practice and study and is influenced most by the great jazz masters,
classical music of north and south India and the orchestral and chamber music of the late 19th century
to present. Drew currently teaches drumkit at Creekside Studios in Deptford in southeast London.
He performs with the Rob James Orchestra, Marlo Donato and Rob Aitken.

Drew lives in London, England with his wife Eleanor and son Oscar.