Our Team

Angus McKean - drums

Tuesdays & Saturdays

Angus McKean is an Australian Session Drummer, Percussionist, Producer and Musical Director based in Melbourne, Australia. Over the years, Angus has curated and refined a style of drumming that objectifies his spirited, passionate, and kind personality. Graduating from VCA with a Bachelor of Jazz and Improv, his outspoken love and professional attitude towards music has lent him to many styles of music including Jazz, Improvisation, Musical Theatre, Rap/Hip-Hop, Pop and more.

Angus can be seen touring and recording constantly with confounding artists such as Jacob Fitzgerald, Kiwat Kennell, The Glamour, Charles Mamiarosia and many more. Angus has performed with The Black Jesus Experience, David Bridie, John McAll, Rob Glaesemann, The Archie Roach Foundation, Naked Face, Christian Foyle and more to name a few.

Concurrently, Angus is an in-demand musical theatre Drummer and Musical Director in Melbourne. Angus’ previous shows include (and are not limited to) ‘The Grinning Man (West End Transfer), ‘Heathers: The Musical’, ‘Billy Elliot’, ’Chess: The Musical’, 'The Boy From Oz ', 'Stranger Sings: A Parody Musical (Off-Broadway-Transfer), 'Legally Blonde’, ‘The Venetian Twins (Malthouse Theatre), 'School of Rock', 'On The Rise: A New Musical (Melbourne Fringe), 'The SpongeBob SquarePants Musical', 'Nunsence 2: The Second Coming (Paragon Players) 'Footloose', 'High School Musical', 'The Addams Family', 'Disney Presents: Mary Poppins', 'You're a Good Man Charlie Brown', 'One Man Two Guvnors’ and more. Angus loves all things musical and finds great solace when performing whether in, or out of the pit.

Notably, in 2020, Angus was nominated for Young Australian of The Year for his efforts with ‘Music For The Mountains’. At the age of 17, Angus directed and organised a ‘three stage, 32 act’ music festival in New South Wales to raise funds for 2021-2020 Bushfire relief. The roster included artists such as Taylor Henderson, Rumours, Curly Mills and more.

Peter Forgus - drums

Mondays & Fill-Ins

Peter Forgus is a seasoned professional musician with over 15 years of experience. A graduate of the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts, he specializes in Jazz and Contemporary Music Performance. Peter has collaborated with top Australian artists like MEGMAC, Coin Banks, and Timothy Nelson as a session drummer.

Peter's passion for teaching was ignited while touring, leading him to educate aspiring musicians at various private schools across Australia. In addition to his performance and teaching career, he also engages in music production, adding another layer to his extensive expertise.

With a deep love for music and education, Peter Forgus is excited to welcome new students and share his wealth of knowledge to inspire the next generation of musicians.

Benjamin Graham - drums

Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursday Daytime.

Benjamin Graham, the owner of Play Music Melbourne, is a professional and active drummer in the Australian music scene. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Contemporary Music from JMC Academy and an Honours Degree in Interactive Composition from the University of Melbourne. As part of his honours course, Ben received the Marion Thomas award for excellence in the final performance.

In terms of performance, Ben has worked on a countless number of gigs and recordings. He has performed on albums that have won ARIA awards, 2 AIR Awards, and reached number 1 on AMRAP charts. His recording work spans over 5 hours of music that has been released on Spotify. He has also played on short film scores, shown at Melbourne International Film Festal and ACMI, and various advertisements and jingles.

Ben is an experienced private teacher who has taught through his own studios throughout his entire professional career. He has also taught in other music schools and high schools, teaching students the foundational concepts of drums, right through to guiding students through their VCE exams / preparing for university auditions. Ben has also taught various music grading curricula, with the highest mark achieved being 94/100.

He has performed in some of Australia's most iconic venues, including the Sydney Opera House, Sidney Myer Music Bowl, and many more. Additionally, he has worked in an 11-piece orchestra on board a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, performing around Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, and the South Pacific.

Ben is suitable for all students, however he specialises in intermediate and advanced students.

Steve Pope - manager & ADMINISTRATIVE coordinator

As the manager and administrative coordinator at Play Music Melbourne, Steve ensures the smooth operation of daily activities, allowing the school to focus on delivering exceptional music education. With a background in both music performance and administration, Steve brings a unique perspective to the role, understanding the needs of both instructors and students alike.

Steve has a strong foundation in live performance and studio recording. He brings a deep understanding of the nuances of the music industry to help the school provide an environment where students can truly thrive. Steve has performed with various artists across genres, including Kate Miller-Heidke and Angus & Julia Stone, and has experience in recording studios, giving insight into the practical needs of musicians pursuing both performance and recording careers. This experience enhances Play Music Melbourne's ability to anticipate the needs of students and instructors alike, ensuring that the school remains a dynamic and inspiring environment for musical growth.

Dedicated to improving both operational efficiency and the student experience, Steve works closely with teaching staff to streamline processes and provide the highest level of customer service to all members of the school community. Whether it's booking lessons, handling inquiries, or managing the logistical aspects of performances and recordings, Steve is committed to supporting the artistic vision of Play Music Melbourne while maintaining an organised and positive environment.