Charlie Payne is an accomplished drummer and percussionist, currently in his 4th year studying percussion at the Royal College of Music with professors David Hockings, Ralph Salmins, Grahame King, Anthony Kerr, Daniella Ganeva and Will Fry. He is a Linda Hill Scholar supported by the Douglas and Hilda Simmonds Scholarship.

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Charlie has experience playing in many different ensembles, in a variety of different genres and contexts.  Some highlights include performances with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra,National Youth Percussion Orchestra, and Odyssey Festival Orchestra, as well as the RCM Big Band, Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonic Orchestra, among many smaller ensembles.  He has also performed frequently with Box9 Drumline, at many high level corporate functions, which has led to performances at the O2, Wembley Stadium, Latitude Festival, and promotional events for Sky and Netflix.

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On top of these commitments, Charlie regularly gigs around London in a self-led 6 piece function band, and with various small jazz combos.  He’s also performed and recorded withseveral singer/songwriter bands, and spends time pursuing further interests in musical arrangement, recording and production.

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Charlie has held the position of Drum Kit/Percussion tutor at Langley Hall Music Academy since September 2022.  As a teacher, Charlie is enthusiastic and keen to engage pupils in a diverse and appropriately challenging learning programme.  He tailors his education approach to every pupil’s individual needs and learning styles, and focuses on keeping lessons fun, while still maintaining a solid foundation for learning and skill progression.