Hello there
Does anyone know any marimba teachers in London, England?

I'm looking for lessons, and live in Cambridge (that's just an hour away from London). I'm especially keen to find someone who ises Stevens' 4-mallet technique, because I've been reading his book, and I think he's right on the ball... also, because I have a minor RH disability, and the Stevens grip will probably work best for me.

But basically, any teacher would be a good start. I've written to the music colleges down there for advice, but so far, no response, alas.

Thanks

- Padmavyuha

Check with Graham C. Johns (Gcjperc@aol.com) of the Royal Northern Conservatory of Music for suggestions.

WM

Padmavyuha,

we have spoken once before about this. I will e-mail the telephone numbers of the head of percussion at each of the major music colleges down there in London. Although Graham Johns is an excellent source of information, he is based in Liverpool and I doubt he knows the younger teaching crowd in London as well as the professors at the RCM, Guildhall, or Royal Academy (where L.H.Stevens is now teaching).

Admin people can be a pain in the arse! (to be quite frank) and if you have not had a response by now I would guess that the messages have be put in a pidgeon-whole to be dealt with in time. You really need to catch the people on the phone, or at least leave a personal message for them, at a number they will check.

One person who I would recommend down there is Colin Boyle, who studied for a time with Bob Van Sice, but I've not heard of him for a while. I'll e-mail you the phone numbers when I get back home on the weekend.

If my leads don't get you anywhere, why not e-mail Evelyn Glennie, she (or someone in her office) I'm sure would pass on some useful leads. Although she doesn't teach, or use the LHS technique. Her web site pops up when you type her name into www.google.com.

But one bit of interest regarding Graham C.Johns is his new percussion product company called Johns and Mushroom Percussion Ltd (JaM Percussion). They will be at www.jampercussion.com soon.

happy hunting,

Tom