Talented Hemel Hempstead drummer passes Grade 8 during lockdown
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A passion for drumming has led to a Year 7 student at Hemel Hempstead School achieving the Trinity College London Grade 8 exam.
Jack Dobson, 12, of Old Town, has been learning the drums for six years with Gareth Tyler and his team of tutors at Soundbox Music Academy.
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Hide AdJack had a long-held ambition to pass the exam while he was still 11 but found it very difficult to practice during lockdown.
He said: "All of the drum studios had to close and the drums is an unsociable instrument to play at home when all of my neighbours were in!"
During the summer he started busking in town centres and once he started his first term at Hemel School his music teacher allowed him to use the practice rooms at lunchtime.
The week before he turned 12, he took his exam, and this week he learned that he had passed.
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Hide AdJack, who lives in the Old Town, has drumming lessons with Soundbox using zoom. His teacher Gareth Tyler even arranged for Anne Marie’s drummer, Ollie Wiseman, to provide a private lesson as a surprise for Jack.
Gareth said: “Jack has been an absolute pleasure to teach, he has been with me since he was six, he is very hard working and has a natural talent.
"Although passing grade 8 at such a young age is a huge achievement, there is still so much more we have planned for him.
"I look forward to coaching Jack as he continues to develop as a musician.’
Soundbox Music Academy offers one to one private tutoring, for more information click here.