James Ben

I am about to graduate from the Royal Academy of Music (RAM), where I have learnt from the biggest names in the UK and European percussion world. I now work as a freelance percussionist, covering all areas from drum kit to world, ethnic and orchestral percussion. It is important to me to play music, not to see it as a chance to showcase impressive visuals, but to always strive to make the music sound the best it can possibly be, and to groove well with other musicians.

Tutoring Experience

I have done private tuition in Cork, Ireland (before I moved here) and group workshops in schools in London and Cork. I have taken part in outreach and Open Academy projects through RAM which have involved working with young people. I have studied modules at RAM such as 'Music in the Community' and 'Principals of Teaching', and am currently studying for the LRAM (teaching qualification).

Tutoring Approach

It is important for me to nurture and develop the students' own interests in music. I teach how to read music, the techniques of each instrument, and play along with music. I combine these elements and tailor them to the needs of each student while introducing new material that they would find interesting, and help them develop further into the musician they want to become.