Meet Ben Pham | Founder and Instructor at LA Group Drum Class

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ben Pham and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ben, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting LA Group Drum Class was rooted in my passion for music and my belief in its ability to bring people together. In traditional drum lessons, students usually learn one-on-one, which is an excellent way to develop skills. However, for adults, it can often be daunting to learn something new alone, and students may burn out or lose motivation. That’s how I came up with a solution to this. I wanted to create a space where adults could learn drums in a supportive environment—where they could not only learn from instructors but also from fellow students, and where they could grow together. Starting my own business allowed me to bring this vision to life.

What should our readers know about your business?
LA Group Drum Class was founded just before the pandemic in 2020. While the timing presented significant challenges, it also taught us resilience. Like many small businesses, we had to temporarily close our doors, but we persevered and relaunched in the summer of 2023 with renewed energy and purpose.

What sets us apart is our unique focus on group drumming lessons for adults. Most drum classes are private and one-on-one, but we take a community-centered approach, inspired by the camaraderie and synergy of playing in a drumline. Our group classes foster connection, collaboration, and creativity, making the learning experience not only educational but also incredibly fun and therapeutic.

Getting to where we are today hasn’t been easy. Early on, I faced the steep learning curve of running a business—from marketing and outreach to designing lessons that cater to a wide range of skill levels – something I’m still learning and striving to improve. One of the biggest challenges has been adapting our classes to accommodate both beginners and experienced drummers, but this has also been an opportunity to refine our methods and make our lessons more effective for everyone.

Through this journey, I’ve learned the importance of patience and steady growth. Building a business takes time, and rushing the process often leads to burnout. Along the way, I’ve discovered the joy of sharing my passion for drumming and helping others experience its many benefits. Drumming isn’t just about rhythm—it’s a mental escape, a creative outlet, and therapy for the soul.

One of our goals is to dispel common misconceptions about drumming, such as the idea that it’s too loud or difficult to learn. Drumming can be as simple and intuitive as learning to ride a bike. We also provide a space where students can practice without worrying about noise—something that often discourages people from exploring this art.

Ultimately, LA Group Drum Class is about more than teaching music; it’s about building a supportive community and showing people how drumming can transform their lives. Whether it’s stress relief, creative expression, a sense of belonging, or learning to overcome challenges, drumming offers something truly special, and we’re excited to share that with the world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There’s too many to list here, but a couple of recommendations. 1) Check out Regal Cinema 4DX in North Hollywood. Very cool experience where the chairs move, and you feel water/wind as you’re watching a movie haha! There’s only a handful of these theaters in the country at the moment but there are a couple here in LA. 2) Check out California Drums in Monrovia. It just opened recently and is a really cool spot where you can check out different drumming products. 3) Melo Melo – niche and interesting desserts!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to all of my past teachers, mentors, and peers from my drum corps and drumline days. I believe learning how to drum and perform in those group settings was an incredibly influential part of my growth and a major inspiration for LA Group Drum Class. Through learning and teaching drumline, I realized that many of the concepts and dynamics of working together in a group toward a shared goal can also be applied to drum set percussion.

Website: https://la-group-drum-class.square.site/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lagroupdrumclass

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571428496882

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lagroupdrumclass

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lagroupdrumclass

Image Credits
Andrew Aguilar