Interactive* Drumming Masterclass

May 17, 2025
2:00 pm

We are excited to announce that NYJO are hosting  our first drumming masterclass with our Resident MD Winston Clifford and drummers Michéle Drees, Cheryl Alleyne & Moses Boyd!

WHERE: Woolwich Works, SE18 6HD
WHEN: 17th May, 14PM-17PM
WHO: All 18-25-year-old musicians are welcome – not just drummers

Especially those who play in the Rhythm Section and want to improve their rhythm & groove, we recommend you coming along!

* This is an optionally interactive Masterclass; if you’d like to join in please bring your own sticks, brushes and practice pads.*

This masterclass covers:
– Rudiments & genres
– Brushwork, timing, and feel (straight vs. swung)
– Grooving with bass & metronome practice
– Playing at different tempos
– Soloing & improvisation
– Jazz/Swing ride-cymbal pattern
– Musical accompaniment & trading bars
– Dynamics – and much more!

Special Features:
– Moses Boyd dives into flams, dynamics & soloing.
– Cheryl Alleyne demonstrates the Five-Stroke Roll, cymbal artistry, and shares her journey as a female drummer.
– Michèle Drees explores rudiments, Brazilian rhythms, and discusses mental health & self-esteem.
– Winston Clifford introduces ‘Body-Rhythm’ exercises to build time, feel, and coordination through movement.

Plus:
– Solo performances & demos from all four artists
– A World Première of a new four-drummer piece by Winston Clifford
– Open jam sessions & interactive playing- And a Q&A session!

Event details

Event date:
May 17, 2025

Event time:
2:00 pm

Woolwich Works

11 No 1 Street, London

SE18 6HD

Lucy-Anne (EP quote)

“Since joining NYJO, I’m so much more confident as a performer. Especially in terms of being able to entertain and keep the crowd engaged with you. It’s really nice to be able to feel that difference.” 

Lucy-Anne, NYJO Emerging Professional (Vocals)

Georgia (EP quote)

“It’s hard to just learn this music in the practice room but being immersed in the music at NYJO is a great environment to really push my playing. ” 

Georgia Ayew, NYJO Emerging Professional (Drums)

Sam Eastmond (MD quote)

"Giving them space to create whatever they wanted, without setting parameters of idiom or style helped them to conceptualise how they could bring these new concepts into their work without scaring them off, or mystifying the process."

Sam Eastmond, NYJO Educator

Jazzwise quote

"NYJO has never been conformist, never hewing to one particular line, never known for fawning replications and very deliberately these days a vehicle for new possibilities."

Jazzwise Magazine

Lydia (EP quote)

"The past year has been an absolutely incredible experience, pushing me way out of my comfort zone into playing with some of the greatest young jazz players of my generation and getting to call them my colleagues and friends has been beyond inspiring, and also an obscene amount of fun!"

Lydia Cochrane, NYJO Emerging Professional (Saxophone)

Anna (Learning national quote)

"[The NYJO residential in Cumbria] helped me to make friends with other young musicians. I enjoy playing a lot more and I’m quite proud of what I’ve accomplished. I feel more confident now. I have learnt different ways of coming up with solid melodies and also a little bit on harmonies. I think it’s been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had."

Anna, NYJO Learning Widening Access participant

Briony (Learning U18s quote)

"I’ve felt very fortunate to be surrounded by amazing musicians, and I think that the environment at NYJO – which has fostered creativity and improvisation – has allowed my confidence and musical ideas to grow."

Briony, NYJO Under 18s

Oscar (Learning U18s quote)

"I think I’ve progressed a lot in my piano-playing. NYJO has helped me to flourish and really enjoy it. I’ve really enjoyed being engrossed in a high level of playing and learning things in a hands-on-way. I also like the diversity of perspectives and abilities of all the players and teachers which enables me to try things I might not normally."

Oscar, NYJO Under 18s

Jennie (Learning U18s quote)

"NYJO has got me listening to more jazz and learning more changes. It has also helped with working as a band. I’ve really enjoyed the free jazz, learning by ear, the people, and the atmosphere."

Jennie, NYJO Under 18s

Leah-Anais (Learning U18s quote)

"I love the people at NYJO. Everyone here is so encouraging and lovely and it makes the experience worthwhile. Though I have fun I’m still learning on the way which makes me feel productive too."

Leah-Anais, NYJO Under 18s