THE TEAM

ROBIN HENDERSON

Director | 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.

guitar director at Realistic Music Academy Epsom
playing bass live Realistic Music Academy Epsom

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/VOCALS

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.

student singing at Realistic Music Academy Epsom
former student turned tutor at Realistic Music Academy Epsom

Harley McKinley 

GUITAR/BASS

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

HEAD OF 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.

head of drums at Realistic Music Academy Epsom
drum tutor at Realistic Music Academy Epsom

Harry Stanley

DRUMS

With over 10 years of drumming experience, Harry is currently in his second year studying Music Performance at ACM. He has performed as a live and session drummer, including playing for multiple musical productions, and has been teaching private drum lessons for over six months. He is continuing to develop his skills through performing and studying.

Benjamin Corfield

Drums

First Class BA (Hons) from LCCM. With five years of teaching experience and ongoing work as a session drummer, Ben performs in the function scene and collaborate with independent artists in both live and recording settings. He covers styles from jazz to rock, helping students develop confidence, versatility, and build strong musical foundations.

drum tutor playing live at Realistic Music Academy Epsom

TOY VALENTINE

DIRECTOR | 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.

vocal and bass tutor playing live at Realistic Music Academy Epsom
vocal coach at Realistic Music Academy Epsom

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.

vocal tutor at Realistic Music Academy Epsom

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
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.

assistant tuto at Realistic Music Academy Epsom
young guitar tutor at Realistic Music Academy Epsom

ASSISTANT TUTOR
HEIDI RUSH

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
Joe BOND-SANDerS

GUITAR

Joe has trained with RMA for six years and achieved his Grade 8 Guitar qualification in 2025. Alongside performing with his band, hehas built an impressive live music portfolio, headlining and playing gigs at renowned venues and events including The Half Moon, Camden Assembly Rooms, Reigate Festival, The Fighting Cocks, and WarChild with HotVox.

student guitar tutor at Realistic Music Academy Epsom

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.

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Realistic Music Academy

15 Pound Lane, Epsom, KT19 8RY
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