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 TEACHER AND BAND WORKSHOPS I teach guitar and piano, and run band workshops at Planet drum. I studied classical piano first and then graduated at a jazz guitar conservatory. Since moving to London, I played at many of UK's leading venues and festivals including Hammersmith Apollo, Royal Festival Hall, Womad, London Jazz Festival. Some of the artists I played with include Cerys Matthews, John Reynolds, Paprika etc. I play different instruments and also write and produce my own original music. |
Katy Grimsdale Singing and music production teacher 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 and rock. I also teach song writing and music production lessons. I am also a qualified Trinity Arts Award adviser. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
Valerio La Piana Drum teacher I started playing drums when I was 2 years old following my father's footsteps and never put the sticks down ever since. At the age of 11 I began to work professionally as a drummer and kept studying with different teachers. Just after finishing my Diploma in Sound Engineering in Rome, in 2016 I moved to London and then obtained my BMus degree in Popular Music Performance at ICMP. I am now active as a Session Drummer, Musical Director and Sound Engineer for numerous British and International artists, bands and Musical Theatre productions. I am really happy to have joined this great team as a drum teacher in 2022 and look forward to a great adventure here at Planet Drum. |
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. |
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. |
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. |