THE TEAM

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ROBIN HENDERSON

Guitar/Bass/Music Production

Director and guitar tutor, Robin, has extensive teaching experience in guitar, songwriting, band coaching and music production.

His students have received many awards including XFM Rockshool: Winner, Vodafone Live Music Awards: Best Unsigned Live Band & Kerrademy Awards: Best Unsigned Band.

Robin has also written articles for Total Guitar and Playmusic Magazine.

Ben Allison

Guitar/Bass/Ukulele

Former student, Ben, supported the Kaiser Chiefs at Brixton Academy, aged 12!

Since then, Ben has been in many other bands. His functions band, Smith & Sons, tour all over the country and are one of the most popular wedding bands in the UK.

Ben has taught at RMA for over 10 years and has a wealth of live, studio and teaching experience.

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Emily Sowell

Guitar/Bass

Emily Sowell's music career so far has taken her from the Academy of Contemporary Music Guildford- where she is studied for her degree- to UK touring with "alt-pop" artist "Lozeak", Blue Peter performance with pop singer "Bellah Mae" as well as playing at festivals such as Latitude, Great Escape and Liverpool Sound City.

She also frequently plays with local Guildford up and coming artists such as George Alfie.

Sonny Waite

Bass/guitar/vocals

Sonny joined RMA as a student aged 10, and played with several of our coached bands including MaTeS and Less Than Three.

He has recently completed a music degree at the ACM in Guildford, and continues to play at numerous venues in the local area while he continues his studies in London.

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Richard Henderson

Drums/Keys

Richard has over 15 years of teaching experience, and has gigged all over Europe at venues including Switzerland, Germany, France and Italy.

He also wrote a popular drum column for Play Music Magazine. 

Tommy Bisson

Drums

Tommy recently obtained a First Class BA (Hons) Degree from ACM in Guildford.

Over the last 5 years, The has worked professionally at various venues and festivals around the UK working with several acts .

A highlight of Tommy’s live experience includes performing at The Railway Inn with Alice Milburn and her band. He has also performed at venues such as The Boileroom and The Camden Club, The Bedford and The Horn, along with performing at functions and private events. 

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Toy Valentine

Vocals/keys/bass/ongwriting

Gigs including Hammersmith Apollo and Manchester MEN, TV including Top of the Pops, CD:UK and Popworld, two top 40 hits, a studio album and numerous radio appearances.

Toy was part of pop-rock trio, The Faders, signed to Polydor records!

STEPH WALTON

VOCALS

Steph Trained at Performers College, Essex in Musical Theatre and has achieved Grade 8 in Classical singing.
She has performed on Norwegian, Ambassador, Fred Olsen and Marella Cruises as cast and show band vocalist and the Uk tour of the railway children.
Steph currently sings as part of the Silhouettes Vintage trio and cover's band, Be Like Water.
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STUDENT TUTOR:
MYA VALENTYNE NAG

Vocals

Mya is a professionally trained vocalist in Commercial Pop and Musical Theatre (Trinity College London, grade 8), attends Laine Theatre Arts and has been a student at Realistic Music Academy for over 4 years.
She has earned many awards and accreditations in singing and performance, and has been on stage from a young age, her recent credits include Grease the Musical and Motown’s The Wizz.

STUDENT TUTOR:
OLLIE HOLMES

KEYS

Ollie is has been a keen Piano player from a young age. He has been trained to ABRSM grade 6 and is currently planning to take his grade 7.

Ollie has performed in many school performances and showcases for Realistic music Academy and has 2 years experience teaching private lessons for children.

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ASSISTANT TUTOR
HEIDI RUSH

GUITARS/DRUMS

Heidi started playing Ukulele & Drums on our Kids Rock class at the age of 5! She has passed every single Trinity Rock & Pop grade for both guitar & drums up to grade 8 - often with a merit or distinction. She is still currently tutored on guitar & drums by RMA co-founders Robin & Richard Henderson, and is in two RMA coached-bands, and has recently passed her grade 8 guitar with a high merit.
Heidi has been teaching on our beginners to band members course for several terms.

ASSISTANT TUTOR
BEN SMITH

GUITAR

 Ben has been a student at RMA for many years, tutored by RMA Founder & Director Robin Henderson. He has recently passed his grade 7 Trinity Rock & Pop exam and has been tutoring on our Beginners to band members and Step up on stage classes for several terms.

Ben is a regular at our open mic nights and showcases.

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ASSISTANT TUTOR
DOUGIE MOON

DRUMS

Dougie has been a student at RMA for many years, tutored by RMA co-founder Richard Henderson. He has recently passed his grade 7 Trinity Rock & Pop exam and has been tutoring on our Beginners to band members and Step up on stage classes

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Realistic Music Academy

15 Pound Lane, Epsom, KT19 8RY
+44 (0)1372 740 300

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