Alain Maurel founder I co-created Planet drum in 1996 with Mirko Schmitt who now runs Planet drum Berlin. I teach workshops, performance classes and co-ordinate Trinity and Rockschool exams at the school. It's always been a great pleasure and privilege for me to be an active part of this unique organization. I'd like to thank all our students, tutors, performers, sponsors, colleagues and absolutely everyone involved for their support over the years. |
Vladimir Gilis Guitar & UKULELE teacher I run the band workshops at Planet drum, and I’m currently a member of Paprika, a Balkan fusion music group as heard on the BBC. I graduated at the department of jazz guitar at the Stanković music school in Belgrade. I work and tour with various artists including Cerys Matthews and John Reynolds, performing around the UK, Europe, USA and the Middle East. |
Chrissy Stirling piano teacher I've been teaching piano at Planet drum since 2017. Primarily I play classical piano, but I enjoy teaching a range of styles, including pop, jazz, and gospel. Previously, I studied Music at King’s College London, and am currently completing a PhD in Music and Anthropology at Oxford University, where I also tutor undergraduates. Besides teaching and studying, I DJ and help run parties and club nights across London. |
Dee Byrne saxopHone teacher I am a saxophonist, composer and improviser. I also teach jazz/improvisation workshops - most recently I taught on an open day for young female jazz musicians at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in June 2018. My own quintet ENTROPI released its second album ‘Moment Frozen’ in September 2017 on Whirlwind Recordings to critical acclaim ('Intense, muscular jazz voyage.' ★★★★ The Guardian). |
Francesca Confortini singing teacher I graduated in Popular Music Performance at the ICMP, after obtaining a professional diploma in Performing Arts in Italy. I’ve been performing in musical theatre and playing around the UK and Europe on different projects, specialising in jazz and funk and singing in prestigious venues such as: Wembley Stadium, the Roundhouse and the Ritz in London, Le Bar Américain in Monte-Carlo and La Salumeria Della Musica in Milan. |
Henry Lawry Trumpet and piano teacher I’m a music graduate from Goldsmiths College of Music. I’m currently playing with several jazz, funk, rock, afrobeat bands in London. Since leaving university I've played at many festivals in UK and abroad. I've performed for the BBC, done session work for Tom Odell and supported Bruce Springsteen in Holland. |
Radovan Brtko DRUM TEACHER Picking up sticks at the age of six, I've been always passionate about music. Originally from Slovakia, I first studied music there and started touring when I was 13. At the age of 16, I relocated to Edinburgh to study music. With more than 12 years of experience, I've worked, performed, recorded and toured with over 40 different artists and bands. I've been exposed to many different genres including hip-hop, jazz, R&B, funk, EDM, pop, rock and metal to name a few. I love inspiring people and sharing my knowledge and experience. |
Louis Pocock Drum teacher I've been running the drumkit and percussion workshops at Planet drum since 2002. Exploring different styles of music has always been a wonder and a revelation. I’m currently playing with the band Afrik Bawantu. I very much enjoy guiding and tutoring students of all ages and abilities in their journey through the world of percussive art. Passing on the knowledge and great wisdom I received from others seems to me the best way to return their gift. |
Peter Bakaja Bass teacher I’m Planet drum's bass guitar and double bass teacher. I graduated from studying both instruments at the Liszt Ferenc University in Budapest, and now have over 20 years of teaching experience in both Hungary and the UK. Having played with major acts in Hungary, I also work as a session musician playing many different genres from jazz to metal. |
Katy Russell Singing and music production teacher, admin Having been passionate about music from a young age, I went on to study music and sound engineering at the University of West London. I am a gigging musician in London and help to co-run the Planet drum workshops. I teach singing lessons here at Planet drum, specialising in pop, rock and soul. I am also a qualified Trinity Arts Award adviser. |
Merijn Royaards drum teacher I've enjoyed being a Planet drum team member since 2007. I work in and between music, visual arts and architecture. I’ve toured the UK, Europe, Canada and Asia as a drummer with Crippled Black Phoenix and others. I have a PhD in sound and architecture, performing as a DJ, and playing with Deemer and Tronika, two projects that combine electronic dance music, sound installation, and free improvisation. |
Keith De Barra drum teacher I have enjoyed teaching and rehearsing at Planet drum with my band since 2012. Originally from Dublin, I studied Jazz Performance at Newpark Music Centre in Dublin and later at Trinity College of Music in London. In my drumming practice, I like to focus on developing my technique. I rehearse regularly with a jazz group where we play and discuss how we’re developing our improvising abilities through recording. |
Sebastien Solsona drum teacher I have been teaching at Planet drum since 2015 and I love it. I studied at the National Conservatoire of Perpignan under the guidance of Mr Andre Mallau, and worked and gigged with several jazz, funk and rock bands. I taught in a French College for the last 3 years of my diploma, and have always been keen to share my passion and knowledge. |
Filippo Galli drum teacher I joined the Planet drum team in 2017. I started learning drums at the age of six and I've never looked back. Since then I have been playing and studying continuously, gigging regularly from the age of 15 to studying a postgraduate degree in east London. I have contributed drums to different bands and ensembles with a variety of styles. At the moment I am working in London as a session musician, writing and performing music with Flying Tailor and Fjokra. |
David Bamford drum teacher I started teaching at Planet drum in 2016 and I love being part of this friendly and inspiring school. I have extensive experience recording and performing as a pop/rock drummer and have been lucky enough to play at Glastonbury Festival and The Royal Festival Hall, to record sessions at BBC at Maida Vale and play on a number of records. I hope to be able to share this experience with students at Planet drum while learning plenty of new things myself from everyone involved with the school. |
Monica Vinoly violin teacher I am a violin player with 20+ years of experience. I studied in Gran Canaria, where I am from and I had my first touring experience with the Bela Bartok classical orchestra when I was 12. Since moving to London in 2014 I’ve been part of different music projects, from classical to folk, electronic and hip hop. I have been touring nationally and internationally with acts such as The Infinity Orchestra and Graffiti Classics (The Comedy String Quartet) and recorded with different London based artists. I also have a love for art therapies, which led me to get a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and start a foundation course in Music Therapy at the university of Roehampton in 2020. |
Antonio Celotto Guitar teacher I am a multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer from Italy and I am pleased to have joined the Planet drum team in 2019. After early studies in piano, I began classical guitar training at age six, eventually expanding my education in guitar to include jazz, blues and rock. I have worked as a composer on several music projects, as well as financed a cinema degree in Paris with my jazz/electronic fusion project, Aiguille. In 2013, I moved to London where I began work on folk and electronic projects, including Flying Tailor, Background Telly and Nàca. |
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