BLAKE HARDING
DRUMMER
About me
I am a 18 year old drummer currently completing my Dip. LCM at Steve White’s music studio in Hextable, Kent with my tutor Danny Rose. I am about to conclude my Extended diploma in music at The Rhythm Studio in West London where I have spent the last 2 years studying alongside like-minded and passionate muscians. Both qualifications have enabled me to develop strength in a wide variety of styles including jazz, rock, funk and pop.
I have lots of performance experience across a variety of genres, although my focus lies in the more technical based drumming. styles of prog and math rock. I am inspired by drummers such as Matt Garstka and Eric Moore - their styles guiding my own self-learning. Alongside this highly technical style, in August 2023, I performed in Romeo and Juliet at Plymouth Royal Theatre after a week-long residential rehearsal for the British Youth Music Theatre in 2023. I was privileged to work with internationally renowned musical director Jude Obermuller and develop my musical theatre musicianship skills with an orchestral 7-piece. I have performed with NYJO and jazz/funk fusion bands at notable venues such as The Royal Albert Hall and Bush Hall. I have sat in with the drummer for the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical 'Jesus Christ Superstar', and performed at many other small venues all across London with various bands and artists including Tooting Tram, Fuze Box, Green Park Festival and Bush Hall.
I have been a Future Sounds finalist 3 times in 2 years, performing in front of world class artists including Will Champion of Coldplay, Hollie Cooke of The Splits, grime star Big Zuu, Sharleen Spiterie of Texas, Dan Rothman of London Grammar and producer and songwriter Tim Bran. I have drummed for professional musicians, The Compozers, at The Royal Albert Hall and have played with my band for Ed Sheeran. I was a Future Makers finalist in 2024, performing at the Royal Albert Hall.
Jordan Clarke, BYMT Musical Director, 2023
‘Blake was an astute, mature and characterful musician, and a real pleasure to audition. His creative instincts appear to be bold and imaginative. He’d be an asset to any show.’
Danny Wheeler, Rhythm Studio Tutor, 2024
‘Blake is a team player, very skilled and a fast learner … a very talented young man. He has all of the attributes and attitude to make it as a producer.'
Will Champion, Coldplay, Future Sounds panelist, 2025
“It's extraordinary - such dedication…extraordinarily impressive…extraordinary ability…it’s absolutely terrifying how extraordinarily proficient you guys are and it makes me feel quite humble."
Education
Content creation
The Rhythm Studio, Academy of Music, London – currently studying Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music Performance, Production and Business (September 2023 – present).
• Academy of Music and Performance – DIP (LCM) (October 2022 – present).
• Coopers School – Nine GCSEs all Grade 7-5 including English, Maths, Music and Drama (September 2019 – June 2023).
• Trinity College London, Theatre Production and Performance – passed with Distinction (2023).
• Academy of Music and Performance - RockSchoolDrums, Grades 1, 3, 5, 7 and 8 all passed with high merits (2018-2022).
Since I was mostly self taught until starting my Rockschool grades, I spent lots of time learning fills and beats from YouTube tutorials; Mike Johnston, Eric Moore, ZachGrooves and many others helped to develop my playing. As influenced by them, I began my own channel, to help teach others, and received over 15,000. I also post drumming content on my Instagram account (@blake.ldn), which has been a useful tool for self promotion and finding new contacts in the music industry.
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