ROBIN HENDERSON
Guitar
17+ years teaching experience. His students have won XFM Rockshool, Vodafone Live Music Awards (Best Unsigned Live Band), and Kerrademy Awards. Robin has written for Total Guitar and Playmusic Magazine, is still gigging and is still obsessed with getting the perfect tone.
Emily Sowell
Guitar/Bass
UK touring with alt-pop artist Lozeak, performed at Latitude, Great Escape, and Liverpool Sound City. Blue Peter appearance with pop singer Bellah Mae. ACM Guildford graduate who's out there doing it.
Sonny Waite
Bass/guitar
RMA student turned tutor. Joined aged 10, played with coached bands MaTeS and Less Than Three, then went on to complete his music degree at ACM Guildford. Now gigging regularly across the local area while continuing his studies in London. He knows exactly what it's like to be on the other side of the lesson.
Harley McKinley
GUITAR/BASS/VOCALS
Former RMA student (since 2013) turned tutor. Fronts FERB, regularly headlining Half Moon Putney, Fighting Cocks, Ram Jam Kingston, and Good Mixer Camden. Self-produces all their releases. Ran his own festival while still in sixth form. Living proof of where RMA can take you.
Tommy Bisson
Drums
First Class BA (Hons) from ACM Guildford. Five years working professionally at venues and festivals across the UK, including standout performances at The Railway Inn with Alice Milburn, plus The Boileroom, Camden Club, The Bedford, and The Horn. Also plays functions and private events. Brings real-world gigging experience to every lesson.
ARCHIE SUMMERS
DRUMS
Over a decade behind the kit, with a BA in Music Performance and Production from LCCM. Deps for function bands, tribute acts, and local artists across multiple styles - Rock, Pop, Reggae, Soul, Funk, Blues, Latin, and Marching Snare. Records for independent artists and brings professional gigging experience into every lesson, keeping it fun and focused.
TOY VALENTINE
VOCALS/KEYS/BASS
Two top 40 hits. Played Hammersmith Apollo and Manchester MEN. TV credits include Top of the Pops, CD:UK, and Popworld. Former member of pop-rock trio The Faders (Polydor Records). She knows what it takes to make it—and how to teach it.
STEPH WALTON
VOCALS
Trained at Performers College Essex in Musical Theatre, Grade 8 Classical singing. Performed as cast and show band vocalist on Norwegian, Ambassador, Fred Olsen and Marella Cruises, plus the UK tour of The Railway Children. Currently sings with vintage trio The Silhouettes.
STUDENT TUTOR
BEN SMITH
GUITAR
Long-time RMA student tutored by founder Robin Henderson. Recently passed Trinity Rock & Pop Grade 7 and has been teaching Beginners to Band Members and Step Up On Stage for several terms. Regular at our open mic nights and showcases - he gets it because he's doing it.
STUDENT TUTOR:
MYA VALENTYNE NAG
Vocals
Professionally trained vocalist in Commercial Pop and Musical Theatre (Trinity College London Grade 8). Attended Laine Theatre Arts and has been an RMA student for over 4 years. Multiple awards and accreditations in singing and performance, with recent stage credits including Grease the Musical and Motown's The Wiz. On stage since she could walk.
STUDENT TUTOR:
OLLIE HOLMES
KEYS
Playing piano since he was young, trained to ABRSM Grade 6 with Grade 7 on the horizon. Performed in school productions and RMA showcases, with 2 years of private teaching experience. Knows what it's like to learn from scratch - still learning, still loving it.
GUITARS/DRUMS
Started at RMA aged 5 on our Kids Rock class. Passed every single Trinity Rock & Pop grade for both guitar and drums up to Grade 8 - most with merit or distinction. Just passed Grade 8 guitar with high merit. Still tutored by Robin Henderson, plays in two RMA coached bands, and now teaches on the course she started on. More proof of what happens when you stick with it.
ASSISTANT TUTOR
DOUGIE MOON
DRUMS
RMA student for many years. Recently passed Trinity Rock & Pop Grade 7 and teaches on our Beginners to Band Members and Step Up On Stage classes. From student to teacher - the RMA way.
