The Drummer:
As at today, drumming has been a major part of Dom's life for half a century. A professional drummer performing internationally, he has toured with household names (Europe and US)... and has done almost everything that one can do with a pair of sticks: festivals, night clubs, circus, marching band, covers bands, jazz, soul, funk band, Brazilian bands, rock bands, African bands, national TV and radio shows, you name it. In 1985, he established the first ever world record of the longest drum solo (french Guinness Book 1986). Since 1994 he is based in London. When he is not teaching Dom performs with his three bands - a jazz band, a covers band and superb original alternative pop-rock project RYEZ across UK and Europe.
His drum-kit has been set-up at the top of 3000 metre high slopes in the French Alps, on beaches of St Tropez, the luxurious Monaco, as well as ob the Gulf of Siam, in the dunes of the Sahara (Algeria), in Tunisia, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Greece, Thailand, Malaysia, Ethiopia, Oman, Kenia, on the other side of the Atlantic - and of course throughout France and the UK.
The Drum Teacher:
Dom has been teaching drums as well as training drum teachers for more than 30 years. In 1982 he created in Paris, and went on to manage for ten years, what became the largest private music school in France - and at the time, probably in Europe. His drum books, 'La Methode' and 'B.A.BA Batterie' have sold thousands. His work on rhythm laid down in his "Opening Number 1" has been studied by hundreds of French students and is waiting for translation to be published on a larger scale. The data contained in this book have been used by drummers, but also musicians on every instruments, dancers and actors. It is based on the the assertion that " Rhythm and it's manifestation is the basic of all art forms".(LRH)
After 30 years living ion London, teaching is, once more, an important part of his activities. His students often become friends. Seeing their progression is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences he can think of. He says 'Being able to share with them the joy that this instrument has to offer is no less than exhilarating.'
Dom thinks highly of art teachers and teachers in general. He has often been asked 'who was the greatest drum teacher in the world?' and he answers with this dramatic article: here.
He is known for being patient and not rushing his students into material too high for their current skills level: 'each student is facing challenges and together we make a team' he says 'so the game is always interesting for me, even with beginners and young children' and he adds 'There are specific phenomena which arise when someone studies a subject. These phenomena are the symptoms of having encountered very precise stumbling blocks in the course of the study. And there are immediate remedies to these phenomena which enable the student to maintain her/his interest in the subject.
The result - someone who understands and can apply what s/he has studied. For us it means they can play drums'.
His heroes are Steve Gadd, Kenny Clark, Steve Ferrone, Robert Bordes, Buddy Rich, Cater Beauford, Elvin Jones ...'and probably 100 more great drummers'.
In the last few years, his first UK student, Yussef Dayes, has become an international phenomenon, At time these lines are written, his "Yussef Dayes Experience" has completed their second tour of the US West Coast, and are touring Mexico and Brazil where they sold out every concert!
This follows a phenomenal concert at the Royal Albert Hall in October 2023 where he sold out the venue with 5000 fans!
The School of Rhythm today:
The school maintains its presence at the heart of Forest Hill, SE23, since 2003 and has moved its main drum studios in Penge, SE20 (close to Crystal Palace, Dulwich, Streatham and Beckenham) where it benefits from state of the art music and recording facilities. 7 professional drummers are now teaching 7 days a week, to cater for the huge demand.
Students range from age 5 to 75+, the majority between 12 and 38, some are pro drummers, some aspiring pros, and the majority just want to have fun and experience the joy of creating on this wonderful instrument.
His Paris school was attended by 600+ every week (on all instruments). But the London School of Rhythm is strictly a school of drumming and opened to a limited number of students. 'My musical career, is the main reason why I moved to London. However it is important for me to keep teaching .I love teaching drums. I feel this is important, that it does make a difference and it gives me a great feeling. I had to get much more involved in the management of the school (again!), at the beginning of Covid-19's lockdowns, when we shifted the whole school online in a matter of days. I am still mainly managing today, backed up by Val Kelly, my wonderfuI partner who is also a professional singer/songwriter and Music Business Graduate. We are the two directors of The School of Rhythm Ltd.
Despite my initial intention to keep this London venture an intimate 'boutique for aspiring drummers', the demand is such that we can't help but expand. I audtion nand interview all applicant teachers personnally, and have carefully chosen the current team of 7 to help me in this task.
Let's give each student the personal attention they deserve.
and let's have fun - Let's drum!'
* All our teachers are DBS certified and carry up to date liability insurance.