Meet Robert Fureby of Sunland

Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Fureby.

Hi Robert, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
From very early on I was really into music, encouraged by my dad and grandma. I got my own boombox around 7 years old and started my music collection with a few CD’s. When I was 8 my grandma, who is a jazz drummer, got me my first pair of sticks and a practice pad. I fell in love with drumming right away and started to develop an even stronger connection with rhythm and music. My grandma was my first teacher and showed me the basics of rudiments, reading and technique.

When I was 13 I started to get even deeper into drumming and by 16 I had decided that it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I studied with the best teachers I could find and spent a lot of time practicing and absorbing as much music as I could. I decided to enroll in Musicians Institute drum set performance program, so that I could get a crash course in everything there is to know about playing at a high (professional) level. This included learning about all styles of music, recording, music theory, and pushing my drumming to new levels. I was practicing between 6-10 hours a day and playing as many shows as I could with different bands (motown, surf rock, jazz)

After graduating I began teaching at School of Rock, and that is when things really changed for me – I realized that as much as I love playing the drums, I actually enjoyed sharing the passion for drumming and watching my students progress even more! I taught at various locations for around 8 years before deciding to start my own teaching business in 2023.

The journey from being an employee to being a business owner has been difficult to say the least but it has also been very rewarding. The first year was definitely rough and at times I thought of throwing in the towel, It took a lot of faith to keep pushing and I was/am very lucky to be encouraged by a very supportive wife. One thing I underestimated when getting started with my own business is how many different hats I would end up wearing and how many new skills I would need. From online advertising and website building to admin tasks like using spreadsheets, scheduling software and recording lesson videos. At first I was hesitant to step out of my comfort zone and take on so many new things but I’m grateful to have learned so much in a relatively short time.

Fast forward to today and I am teaching 5 days a week and seeing between 20-30 students for weekly lessons. I work with students of all ages and skill levels in person and online for 1 on 1 lessons and also run an online drum coaching group that meets 2x/week.. And when I’m not busy teaching I am at rehearsals or playing shows with as many bands as I can. Being able to pass the torch to the next generation of musicians and see the potential in my students has made it all worth it!

My wife and I had our first baby in October of 2025 and that has been such a huge blessing! It is a struggle sometimes (especially at first) to keep a work/life balance and for the first 2 months or so my business was suffering a bit as I was back in survival mode.

I’m super grateful for all that god has given me and am excited to see where the next few years and decades take me, my family and my business!

(sorry for it being so long and maybe a bit out of order, I’m happy to clean things up a bit with a second draft if necessary 😀)

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As I mentioned on the last text box, having to learn so many new skills and keeping a good balance between work and life has definitely been a challenge at times (especially at the beginning). On one hand I get to set my own own schedule but on the other hand I feel like I’m always on my computer working on the business or teaching. If it was easy it wouldn’t be as fulfilling and fun though!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
While most of my time is devoted to teaching these days, I have also played with tons of different bands. Concerts, gigs, recording sessions and auditions were how I spent most of my time outside of practicing before I started school. Some bands I have played with include: pop punk, indie rock, big band jazz, blues cover bands, pop/top 40 cover bands, metal, afrobeat, surf rock and playing at my church.

I’m proud of the fact that I stuck to my dream and didn’t give up or change paths. Honestly, I guess I couldn’t see myself doing anything else anyway! I guess what sets me apart from most other musicians and drummers is that I have worked hard to be able to play just about any style of music. I try to be open minded and don’t turn down any opportunity to learn or get out and play.

What matters most to you? Why?
Music! Music (like all types of art) is a transfer of emotional energy. When I perform I put every part of who I am into the music so that the audience/listener can have a deeper experience. I try to make it FEEL good. When I teach, I show my students how to get better and level up their drumming but even more importantly I try to pass along the idea that its about so much more than the notes or beat or groove that we are playing.

Pricing:

• 30 minute lesson – $40
• 45 minute lesson – $55
• 60 minute lesson – $70
• 4 30 minute lessons – $130
• 4 60 minute lessons – $240

Contact Info:

• Website: https://drumlessonswithrobbie.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_drum_dawg
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567223020045
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@the_drum_dawg
• Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/biz_info/OuBfFW7CcxxFeZ-U1SYJYQ