Ben Hartley

Ben Hartley is a drum kit and percussion teacher for Surrey Arts. He graduated with honours from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2006 and has since worked as a freelance drummer and percussionist in bands, musicals, operas and orchestras throughout London, the UK and Europe.

Ben has performed on Radio 4 in the backing band for Daphne Sounds Expensive, with Rhythms of the City (Samba Collective), and Box9 Drumline. He is the drummer for the progressive rock band I am the Manic Whale, who are releasing their third album in early 2020 and at Christmas time can be found in a theatre playing drums for pantomimes.

If you have a keen eye you can see Ben as a marching drummer in the first Captain America film. He was also involved in the London 2012 Olympics, recording percussion for one of the Mascot short films and playing drums for the Opening ceremony. Ben has toured India with Anglo Indian Music Productions, Europe with Sir Colin Davis and the UK with Opera Della Luna.

With 17 years of teaching experience, Ben has worked in many fields of education. Currently as an instrumental teacher and Wider Opportunities leader within the local and private education sectors providing individual and group tuition plus Samba and Drumline coaching.

Bill Brown – Drums & Percussion

Bill has played drums for the past 50 years. He began his drumming career in Holiday Parks and Centres in the North East of England including cabaret backing and ball room dance bands. He has taught drums for Surrey Arts for the past 20+ years. Bill has performed with the Central Band of the Royal British Legion, various big bands, blues/jazz combos, concert bands and has backed Bruce Dickinson from Iron Maiden. He has worked with the Bill Geldard Big Band and Stan Reynolds (Ted Heath) Big Band. He is currently the drummer for Woking Wind Orchestra which is a Surrey Arts adult wind band.

Bill teaches drum kit suitable for all music genres drumming such as jazz, funk, rock, orchestral side drum, pop, marching bands. Graded exam coverage ranging from Grade 1 to 8 both syllabus from Rockschool and Trinity Guildhall. He can also teach on a huge variety of hand drums covering World music rhythms. Bill’s philosophy on music education is that all music should be fun and this is reflected in his teaching technique.