Charlotte Burke

I am a professional drummer and experienced music teacher with a lifelong passion for education and musical development. My own musical journey began in childhood through dance and piano, which gave me a strong grounding in rhythm, coordination, and musical understanding. These early skills made the transition to drum kit very natural, and I went on to study professionally after being awarded a Drumtech scholarship at the age of 22.

Since qualifying, I have worked as a professional drummer across a wide range of musical styles including rock, pop, funk, jazz, hip-hop, metal, folk rock, and country. I have extensive experience performing live and recording with different artists, as well as releasing my own solo project, where I wrote, recorded, and produced all the material myself. Alongside this, I also run steel pan workshops in schools and perform with Pantonic Steel Orchestra in Hackney, giving me a strong background in group teaching and working with young people.

Teaching is a central part of my career and something I genuinely love. I am a patient, encouraging, and structured teacher who understands that every child learns differently. My lessons are designed to build confidence as well as musical ability, helping students feel comfortable, supported, and motivated from their very first lesson.

I teach using the Rockschool (RSL) Trinity and ABRSM syllabuses from Grades 1–8 and have many years of experience preparing students for exams. All of my students who have taken exams under my guidance have achieved Pass, Merit or Distinction. However, exams are always optional — for some students they are a great goal to work towards, while others prefer to focus on learning songs, developing coordination, or simply enjoying playing music. I work closely with parents to ensure lessons suit each child’s needs, interests, and pace of learning.

Lessons focus on developing solid technique, good posture, timing, listening skills, and musical understanding, while keeping sessions fun and engaging. For younger students especially, I aim to balance structure with creativity so that learning never feels overwhelming. I am very mindful of attention spans and adapt lessons accordingly.

I welcome beginners of all ages, as well as children who already play and want to progress further. Whether your child is learning for enjoyment, confidence-building, or working towards exams, I provide a safe, positive learning environment where they can grow musically.

Private lessons take place at Brixton Hill Studios or in Waltham Cross, in a professional yet relaxed setting. I am always happy to communicate with parents about progress, goals, and practice support at home.

My aim is not only to teach drumming, but to help children develop a lasting love of music.