Alasdair – Drum Tutor

Apr 3, 2009

Musician, drummer and composer,  Alasdair has in recent years established himself as a distinct and creative voice on the drum kit within the vibrant London jazz and improvised music scenes. Alasdair has performed and recorded a range of genres at renowned venues, studios and festivals including Manchester Jazz Festival, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Abbey Road Studios, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Vortex Jazz Club, The Leadmill, Cafe Oto, Porgy & Bess (Vienna), Jamboree Jazz Club (Barcelona) and Take 5 Jazz Club (California).

For his musical training, Pennington studied at Leeds College of Music, graduating with a first-class BA honours degree in music (jazz). He holds a Master of Arts degree in music with distinction from the Royal Academy of Music where he studied with a scholarship award. 

Alasdair has experience of teaching drum kit, percussion & music theory to a wide range of ages and abilities. He has worked as an instrumental/ music tutor for various music education organisations including Ealing Junior Music School, Tower Hamlets Arts & Music Education Service, Chelsea Quavers Music School, the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Yorkshire Music School & Falmouth Jazz Summer School.

Alasdair holds an enhanced DBS certificate. 

 

‘I have had flute lessons for nearly 3 years now and I absolutely love it more everyday. The lessons are really fun because Rachel makes me work hard but makes it really fun and interesting at the same time. Flute was my first instrument and I wasn’t sure how it would go but now I play 3 instruments and have a music scholarship at my school because of Rachel. I practise every night because I love it, no one has to nag me, it is my relaxing time or when I feel fed up…I just play and feel better. I love performing with The Surrey Sound of Music..we all get on well and have so much fun practising and performing makes me really happy. In June we all went to see The Lion King and in November we are going to see Matilda, I can’t wait!! I want to play flute forever.’

Lottie, 11

‘Rachel has been teaching our daughter, Heera, flute from the age of 7. In just over 2 years Rachel has successfully guided Heera through the first 3 grades and Heera is now about to take her Grade 4 exam at the age of 9. Heera always looks forward to her flute lessons with Rachel. She is very encouraging, positive and a great teacher. She makes the lessons fun for Heera while preparing her for the exams. I really recommend Rachel as a music teacher.’ 

Mrs A Seshadri

‘My daughter started having flute lessons with Rachel almost 2 years. Rachel is awesome and the encouragement and patience she has shown over the past two years has never faltered. She is talented and professional at all times. My daughter looks forward to her flute lessons and has progressed extremely well, achieving her Grade 5 music theory and Grade 6 flute exam. Rachel is fun and friendly but at the same time, firm. Rachel challenges my daughter to play music that she is not particularly comfortable with and this has helped her to grow in confidence as a flautist. Rachel is extremely well organised and communicates well both through email and her website. She organises twice yearly concerts for her pupils of all standards to get together and perform both in front of each other, and to their families and friends. I would thoroughly recommend Rachel as a flute teacher.’

Mrs J Walmsley