Drumstars Faculty

Scott is a Grade 8 musician who has enjoyed listening and playing to music from an early age. He began his drumming journey at the age of 11 in Longbenton Community College, where he studied with some of the best Drum Teachers in the area. His first opportunity to perform was his school orchestra, playing in school theatre projects, and helped organise the school's talent show "Longbenton Rocks". His teachers saw a great talent in him, and even offered him a position in the teachers band.

Once Scott fully built his foundation in school, he went on to play in a couple of local bands such as ID Me, The Heavy Jets and The Voluntears. During that time he got a taste for creating his own music, recording his bands EP's in local recording studios such as Loft & Broadwater Studios. The EP recorded in Broadwater, was a prize after winning the local Soundwave Music Competition in 2015 with The Heavy Jets.

During his time with The Voluntears, he toured all around the UK, including Manchester, London, Glasgow, Liverpool, and supported many big artists such as Ocean Colour Scene, Dodgy, Pete Doherty, Gabrielle, James, Peter Hook (Joy Division), John Power (Cast), and White Lies.

Scott now dedicates all his time teaching young students, sharing all of his knowledge and experience to all of the upcoming Drumstars in the local area, whilst playing in the "North Tyneside Pipe Band".

Joe is a musician who began learning the drums at the age of 14 taking lessons at The Drum Shop, developing a great foundation of drumming skills and a passion for music. Since then Joe has studied music at Newcastle College Performance Academy, graduating with an Honours degree. Through these studies Joe had the opportunity to work with many musicians from the North-East, writing, recording and performing together allowing him to learn a plethora of skills applicable in the music industry.

The beginning of Joe's drumming skills began with developing a foundation in a variety of genres becoming adept at reading drum notation as well as learning by ear. Eventually he began to specialise in Rock and Metal genres, requiring fast playing speeds alongside impeccable timing, including the use of double bass pedals.

Throughout his time as a drummer Joe has been a member of many local Metal bands and also session bands, playing anything from Pop to Punk. Playing shows all around the country he has developed great performance skills and versatility in his playing.

Currently Joe is playing in a 3-piece Progressive Metal band known as "Eunoia" who focuses on creativity within their music. This atmosphere allows Joe to experiment in ways to continuously improve his playing through writing, recording and performing and he now wishes to pass on these skills to his students here at Drumstars.

Dan is a Trinity Guildhall Grade 8 drummer with a 2.1 BMus degree in Music Performance and Production from the London Centre of Contemporary Music (LCCM) - now the London College of Contemporary Media. Dan was born and grew up in London and had his first drum lesson at the age of 6 – this began many years of drum tuition under the guidance of respected jazz drummer Dave Barry.

At the age of 11 he joined Croydon Youth Orchestra as a percussionist, where he stayed as a member of the orchestra and of the Youth Wind Band, and also in later years as the drummer with Croydon Youth Jazz Band, until leaving to start his degree course. Dan’s studies at LCCM were under the tuition of some of London’s top musicians, including current ABC drummer Richard Brook and renowned jazz drummer Pete Cater. During this time he was also the drummer with the Morley College Big Band under the leadership of veteran band leader Tony Douglas MBE.

Dan is a skilled sight reader and versatile drummer who has several years’ experience working with a number of bands both in the London area and in the North East, playing anything from jazz, soul and funk to pop and rock and at some iconic London venues such as the legendary 100 Club, the Water Rats and the Spice of Life. After moving to the North East on completing his degree in 2015, Dan spent three years as the drummer with popular 80’s tribute band Zen, using a Roland electronic kit.