I am 17 years old, although I do have a visual impairment, bad enough for me to be registered as blind; I do not let this hold me back.

I started playing the keyboard when I was 8 and in year 4. I had a very good teacher in primary school, David Edwards. He prepared me for secondary school to a performing standard, and got me used to playing in front of people by appearing in concerts both at my school and also others.

When I changed to secondary school, I started drum lessons as well as carrying on with the keyboard lessons. My drum teacher is Glenn Clarke, who started me on grades and getting me a bit more involved with things like concerts, bands and stuff like that. He put me on a grade 3 to start me off, and I passed with Honours. A few months later I took a grade 5 and passed that with a Merit.

Glenn has stopped drum lessons at my school so I now have private lessons at University College, Winchester, (still with Glenn, in his studio there). I have passed my Grade 8 . My keyboard teacher had me doing a Grade 5, which I passed with a Merit. I took my Grade 6 in November 2003 and passed with a Merit I am now working at grade 7. I have been awarded a Hampshire Exceptional Ability Award in Keyboards and have had lessons with Lyndsey Butterfield.

From 2000 onwards, I have played in several bands, with various styles: e.g. orchestras, jazz, rock, punk, pop, samba, sessioned with guitar groups, guest keyboard player on local band, Half Empty's 1st album-Play on Words, and several visits to recording studios both playing and trying out ideas for mixing/engineering. I try to attend as many drum events as I can and have met many high profile drummers such as Ian Paice, Thomas Lang, Jason Bowld, Micheal Shack, Zoro, Russell Gilbrook, Chad Smith to name a few, and am honoured to have friends in Gregg Bissonette (Independant), Steve White (Paul Weller) & Mark Pusey (Independant/Girls Aloud), I have also been priveledged to play along with all of my friends as well as Damon Minchella (Ocean Colour Scene's Bass player). In 2004 I also had the pleasure of spending a few days around a couple of the members of Razorlight. 2005 I started college and have been busy 'gigging' since. 2006 saw me take part in my first clinic....with Mr Billy Ward. Goals, Goals, Goals wins the www.wave105.com World Cup Of World Cup Anthems

Here is a list of performances I have played in:

1998
A Spring Serenade at Purbrook Park School in front of 300 people, organised by The Hampshire Music Service.

1999
3rd place in a talent show. (keyboards) Junior school concert. (keyboards)

2000
Junior school concert. (keyboards) The Match Girls secondary school. (drums)

2001
Secondary school concert. (piano & drums) All the music for the Eastleigh youth association group I-Clap. (keyboards) Summer concert at secondary school by rock band, Diversions End. (drums)

2002
Drum Academy 2002 Freddie Gee Promotions Diversions End youth rock band concert (drums) Final 40 of Mike Dolbear`s drum competition Toynbee school performing arts display. (piano)

2003
Spring concert. (Samba band, piano, drums-jazz and rock) Diversions End Final concert. (drums) Summer concert 2003. (Samba band, piano,drums-jazz and rock) Second place at the beat 2003 competition (drums)
I was lucky enough to win a signed Ian Paice signature snare at Drumfest 2003 in Birmingham.
Drum Academy 2003 Freddie Gee Promotions.
Carol service at church local to my school.
Final 40 of Mike Dolbear`s national drum competition

2004
I have received a Hampshire Music Exceptional Ability Award in keyboards, this followed 2 nominations, one for drums & one for keyboards.

I have started a new band called Fortune Favoured with 3 other people. I'm on drums, Will on lead guitar, James on bass & Natalie on piano & vocals.

I am still doing the school wind, Jazz band & Diversions End.

School summer concert (the James Birt show) as it's been called---I did a lot in it!
The year 11 leavers gig---I was year 10 at the time.
Drum Academy 2004 Freddie Gee Promotions.

I was asked to perform by Gregg Bissonette at The Guildford Mapex Clinic--And picked up a Mapex precious metal Phosphor Bronze Snare and a Janus Double Pedal for my efforts. WOW! Thanks to Mapex & Andertons for those.

I perfomed at the Royal Festival Hall London as part of the Rythym Sticks Event. I attended the Freddie Gee 5th Anniversary & Drumclobber.com launch party in the Solent on board 1of 2 Sunseeker Boats. DOUBLE WOW!!
Thanks to George Frederick & Glenn Clarke for that.

I sessioned with local schools in December, with my Primary school keyboard teacher & old mate David Edwards.
I was recommended and sessioned with Meridian Winds, a local Wind band of professional musicians and teachers for their Christmas Festival, and had been invited to join them.

2005
Key Stage 3 Awards Evening.
Summer Concert.
Romsey Beggars Fair-Romsey's Annual Music Festival.
Picnic In The Park HYJO Concert in Twyford.
Freddie Gee Drum Academy.
Fareham College Open Evening.
GCSE Music Evening.
Various Gigs Inc. The Wedgewood Rms Potsmouth & The Joiners Southampton.
I performed the Percussion at the Chichester Festival Theatre as part of the BBC Shakespeare Festival, and have also repeated the performance at Guildford.

'Left Hand Bands' album, Sign.

I have recorded an England World Cup Anthem Which has gone to the F.A, The BBC & James Whale on Talk Sport, & WON the Wave105 world cup of world cup anthem competition

I have been an active member of the Hampshire Youth Jazz Orchestra (HYJO) Which I joined in September 2004. but unfortunatly have had to stop attending due to other comitments.

I have now finished school having gained an A* in music & have started a BTEC National Diploma in Popular Music at college.

2006
Busy schedule for the coming months, (see dates page) especially since.....
Winning the Mike Dolbear.Com UK National Young Drummer of the year 2006
competition Thanks to Peter Werth The Sponsor also Mike & Gerry at mikedolbear.com

Proud to be endorsing:
Mapex Drums
Vic Firth Sticks
Bigfoot Beaters
Designs For Drummers