INTRODUCING...
our tutors
All our tutors are passionate about making music accessible to everyone, and have a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to share with their pupils.
Luigi Rampino
Often described as “a drummer with an innovative and creative approach to drumming”, “with a groove that is different from the norm and fully aware of its timing and feel”, Luigi Rampino is a London based drummer, percussionist, educator and songwriter. He graduated from the British and Irish Institute of Modern Music in Brighton, receiving a BA Hons in Professional Musicianship with drum studies specialisation. He also comes from a classical percussion background having studied at the “D. Cimarosa” Conservatoire of Classical Music in Italy alongside his modern drum kit studies which he carried out since the age of 9.
The last decade has seen him as part of numerous projects which he provided with his drumming. He has been working as a live and studio session player as well as having been an active member of various original projects. Luigi has been collaborating with a big variety of artists in the U.K. and across Europe. He has recently been busy touring and recording for bands and artists, such as Black Market Aftermath, Transatlantic Family Band, Ben Hemming and many more. Additionally he has been recording for other projects thanks to his vast fluency in many different styles.
During his performing career, so far, he has had the pleasure to record in various renowned studios in the U.K. and Europe. He has performed in Konk Studios (London), Miloco Studio/The Pool (London), The Blue Studios (London), Velvet Recordings (Oslo, Norway), Masterlink Productions (U.K.).
As a busy freelance drummer, Luigi has also been focusing on teaching drums in music schools across London for the last 6 years. His drum tuitions include very detailed and customised programmes which are intended for the students to explore all the possibilities in the music industry as well as for them to acquire the drumming skills needed in order to succeed. An essential part of his lessons is based around learning and experiencing the core drumming concepts, including technique, styles, rudiments and independence.
Nika Janina
Nika Janina, a Latvian pop/soul singer-songwriter now based in Woking, Surrey, has showcased her exceptional talent through various international contests and events, including “Europestage,” “Debut Premium,” “Saulai Stage,” “Saulkrasti Jazz,” “Bildes,” “Miss Grandma of Latvia,” and local charity concerts. Her experience has honed her ability to connect with diverse audiences and adapt to different event types.
Nika holds a BA in Music Industry Practice from ACM (Academy of Contemporary Music), where she gained expertise in vocals, songwriting, and production under the guidance of industry professionals like Leddra Chapman (known for her work with Ed Sheeran) and Brian Henry (known for his work with Chaka Khan and Soul II Soul).
Nika has demonstrated her studio and theater prowess as a vocalist, receiving praise for her professionalism and deep lyrics. Shea Stedford (of Little Mix) commended her effortless delivery and perfection.
Furthermore, Nika is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience. Since 2019, she has worked as a vocal teacher for children and teenagers with varying vocal abilities at the Riga Alternative Theater. Her unique teaching approach allows her to instruct individuals who may not possess natural tuning instincts.
Nick Walker
Nick Walker was a scholar at the Royal College of Music, London, graduating in 2020 with both Bachelors (1st Class Honours) and Masters (Distinction) degrees. Here he studied trumpet with David Elton, Jason Evans, Alistair Mackie and Kate Moore, as well as natural trumpet with Paul Sharp.
Nick has worked with a variety of orchestras and ensembles such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, London Sinfonietta and Dunedin Consort and in 2020 he was selected for the London Philharmonic Orchestra Foyle Future Firsts development programme. He also was a member of the London Sinfonietta Academy in 2017 and is currently a member of Sinfonia Cymru and the Britten-Shostakovich Festival Orchestra.
As a student, Nick won the Royal College of Music trumpet prize and was a finalist in the Royal College of Music Concerto Competition, as well as being the recipient of awards/scholarships from Help Musicians UK, Craxton Memorial Trust, ABRSM and the Royal College of Music.
Nick also studied piano with Julian Jacobson at the Royal College of Music and was twice the recipient of the Lloyd Hartley Memorial Prize for Pianoforte in Leeds before beginning his studies.
Merlyn L H Thomas
Merlyn Liselle Thomas Cyril is an experienced music teacher with over five years of expertise. She has taught music to students aged 6 to 16, specializing in piano and choir training. Her qualifications include Grade 8 in piano, singing and music theory from Trinity College, London. I’m dedicated to creating an inclusive, joyful learning environment, using interactive methods like games and performances. Her holistic approach nurtures both musical skills and emotional growth. She’s excited to share my passion for music with your child!
Robyn Park
Bedroom-pop music producer and singer-songwriter Robyn is a multi-instrumentalist with a BA (Hons) in Music Industry Practice (at the Academy of Contemporary Music).
Growing up in the field of dance, Robyn showed a natural inclination for rhythm and feel within music and portraying emotion through dance. Following this passion came a keen interest for music itself. Picking up instrumental knowledge and skills on keys, guitar, bass, ukulele and vocals helped Robyn to be immersed in the world of music and to begin their producing and songwriting journey.
Through studying ‘Creative Artistry’ at university allowed Robyn to gain skills in topics such as musicianship, engineering, songwriting, performance, production, media and others. This also allowed for personal influences from artists such as Anderson. Paak, LAUV, BENEE and Frank Ocean to flourish. Now working in a private at-home studio,
Robyn is able to constantly be surrounded by the influence of music.
Robyn followed naturally into teaching music and wanting to influence the next generation.
Teaching in primary and secondary schools, as well as, home visits and studio bookings, Robyn hopes to inspire young individuals into the realm of music and encourage creative outlets.
Terry Wilkinson
Terry Wilkinson started playing the guitar from a young age, first joining a band with his brother and their friends. Terry has since performed at a variety of original bands across multiple genres, playing shows nationwide and overseas and appearing on live TV and radio. For many years Terry performed as a bass player with a function band, playing at corporate events and weddings.
After passing Rockschools Grade 8 Guitar and Grade 5 Music Theory with merit, Terry achieved a distinction in his BTEC National Diploma in Music at Brooklands college. He went on to complete his Higher Diploma in Bass at the Academy of Contemporary Music with distinction, studying applied technical studies, practical musicianship, live performance, professional artist portfolio and professional sight reading and ear training.
The guitar and bass are Terry’s main passion, however over his career he has expanded to perform with the piano, drums and vocals. Alongside performance, Terry composes new ideas and songs across all the instruments he plays.
Terry has many years of experience working with children of various ages and is passionate about using the skills and techniques he has accumulated over the years to help others get as much joy and drive from music as he has.
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Andreas Pavlou
Nikoletta Farmaka
Will Spurling
Will Spurling began playing the drums at the age of eight, after his parents finally agreed to buy him a drum kit as they had endured years of him beat boxing and drumming on their pots and pans.
He began his professional career playing drums for a variety of Indie bands around the toilet circuit of London and also toured the UK. He was once described by Indie Music fanzine Drowned In Sound as “The finest drummer on the scene”.
Since then he has become a much sought after drummer for all kinds of events, including weddings, pubs/clubs and corporate events. This is because he is as comfortable playing a swinging ballad as he is playing heavy rock or drum&bass. The spirit of jazz is a part of him, always listening to what is going around him musically and improvising in the moment, his determination is make the audience feel life is worth living!
Daniel Scott
Daniel Scott is a British saxophonist and pianist based in London, specialising in classical and crossover music. He has performed across the UK and Europe as a soloist and with fellow alumni of the Royal College of Music (RCM), where he was a Douglas and Hildar Simmonds scholar studying saxophone with Kyle Horch and piano with Kathron Sturrock.
Daniel’s taste in music is deep-rooted in the artists he grew up listening to: his mother’s favourites like Enya, Kenny G, and Frank Sinatra. These influences have gone on to shape his love of music and interests in repertoire. In late 2016, Daniel worked with Sony Classical saxophonist Amy Dickson on the recording of her album Glass and subsequent BBC Radio 3 performance.
Performance highlights so far have included at the week-long Nordic Saxophone Festival in 2017, an evening recital at the Aegean Arts Festival in 2018, and selection to play alongside fellow students of the RCM and the Paris Conservatoire in a series of Wind Orchestra concerts in 2019.
Passionate about making music accessible to everyone, Daniel has worked with Teenage Cancer Trust, Turtle Key Arts, and ENO Bayliss on projects ranging from group performances through to workshops. In 2020, he turned his hand to YouTube, amassing over 45,000 views across his channel. In the same year, he founded Nuova Concerts, an online platform to help musicians perform live during the pandemic, reaching audiences across the UK. As an educator, Daniel has over four years of experience teaching children and adults privately – including pop star Lily Allen’s daughters – and holds several posts in London schools.
Hayley mitchell
Hayley is an Australian clarinettist from Sydney. Coming from a non-musical family, learning clarinet during her primary school years was her first experience of classical music. Currently in her 4th year of a study at the Royal Academy of Music, Hayley is studying a Batchelor of Music under Christopher Richards, Mark Van de Weil, Chi Yo-Mo (Eb clarinet) and Laurent Ben Slimane (bass clarinet). Prior to her arrival at the academy, she studied for two years at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under Frank Celata and Christopher Tingay.
As an orchestral musician Hayley has been involved in ensembles such as the Royal Academy Symphony Orchestra, Opera Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and the Manson Ensemble. As well as various other external orchestras including the University of London Symphony Orchestra. She has worked under conductors such as Timothy Legg, Alice Farnham, Tim Weiss, Simone Young and Sian Edwards. Hayley has participated in numerous masterclasses with Andrew Marriner, Patrick Messina and Christoph Zimper.
Being involved with many chamber ensembles alongside several talented young musicians, Hayley competed in the Harold Caxton Chamber Music prize and the Historical Women’s Composers prize, where both her groups received highly commended.
Educating young musicians has always been an aspect of the music industry that Hayley has been heavily involved in. She has consistently worked at numerous primary and high schools tutoring young children in clarinet and saxophone. Hayley has also been heavily involved in musical outreach programs and has done many performances at nursing homes and hopes to continue presenting classical music to those who may not always be available to it.
