Folkestone Music Lab

Music Centre

Folkestone Music Centre

Group Session

Saturday ~ 10:00 am - 12:30 pm ~ Term Time Only

Music Leader

Various

Grade

All Abilities

Ages

11-19

Type

Music Lab

Address

Folkestone Academy
Academy Lane
Folkestone
CT19 5FP

 

Opening Times

Folkestone Music Lab is a creative space for young people aged 11-19 to work on band development, music technology and production, singing and instrumental skills, song writing and more.

No matter what your style, ability or interest – you might be a budding sound engineer, want to play jazz, rock or classical music – we will make every effort to provide for you.

If we don’t have what you want, tell us and we will provide it! The Music Lab is committed to Youth Voice and we want our members to have a big say in how it develops and what it does each week.

All sessions are supported by a team of professional tutors and pastoral staff who are passionate about music and helping young musicians develop their skills.

Nick Powling

Nick is a classically trained musician, multi instrumentalist and music producer, with over 20 years experience as a music teacher. He has a wealth of industry experience as a recording artist, touring performer and sound engineer at venues and festivals across Europe. Nick currently teaches piano, keyboards, drums, guitar, band development, music technology and early years development based on the Dalcroze principals of learning.

Oliver Seagar

Oliver is a skilled musician with diverse experience within the music business, including extensive knowledge of composing, producing and performing. He has his own recording studio and has released music on various independent record labels. Together with colleagues, he has assisted with the organisation of numerous music festivals and events and regularly performs at diverse music venues including world-class music settings such as ‘The Roundhouse’ Camden, London.

Oliver strongly believes in the power that music holds in helping young peoples’ emotional well-being. With this in mind, alongside his other commitments, he also undertakes freelance music technology and production work and intergeneration community projects. He has delivered over a hundred music workshops in conjunction with schools, charities and specialist companies. These sessions have contributed in various ways towards supporting vulnerable groups in our community, from asylum-seekers to those with special educational needs such as autism.

Robin File 

Robin File has been playing and producing music since the early 90’s, always with a leaning towards doing something different.

His first band The Sugar Merchants were signed to Chrysalis publishing in 1992 and to Elektra (USA) in 1993. They went on to record an album with producer (Robin Millar-Sade, Fine Young Cannibals) only to find themselves part of a corporate takeover by Time Warner and eventually shelved by the label. Already Robin was learning the hard realities of the music business. Knocked but undeterred the band slimmed down from 6 to 4 and became Audioweb, with a leaner harder edged sound fusing Reggae, Hip Hop, Dub and Rock.

1995 saw them sign to U2’s label Mother Records after some new demos and only a handful of gigs. Two albums followed (Audioweb & Fireworks City), appearances on “Later With Jools Holland” and touring headlining and supporting acts such as U2 and The Fun Lovin’ Criminals. Ian Brown (The Stone Roses) became their most public supporter and even though their music was challenging, the band enjoyed success until 1999 when they decided to have a break, which lasted 17 years until reforming summer 2016 to play support for The Stone Roses at the Etihad Stadium.

Post 2004 saw a spell with Finley Quaye and the start of of Robin’s move into education providing Rock/Indie workshops and engineering/production tutoring which he is doing to this day. Currently Robin is playing and recording for junglist legend Congo Natty.

Sophie Radley

Specialising in voice and piano at numerous prestigious Conservatoires across Europe, including The Royal Northern College of Music, the Royal Superior Conservatoire of Madrid and the Superior Opera School in Madrid, amongst others, Sophie has gained an in-depth knowledge of the key factors needed to succeed as a professional musician and music teacher. Her wide range of experience acquired by performing in theatres, such as the Bridgewater Hall, has also given her a clear understanding of the expectations and essential requirements necessary to perform in front of an audience of thousands.

Although classically trained, Sophie loves to listen to and perform all types of music.

Language and music have always gone hand in hand and having lived in eight different countries (and gone to school in four), together with being a qualified secondary school teacher, Sophie has experienced a wide range of curriculums and ways of teaching.

From January 2024, Lab membership will change from a drop-in fee to a termly membership, in line with our other Music Centres across Kent.

To apply for this ensemble, please click ‘Apply Now’ below.

You’ll be taken to the ensemble page on our online course platform where you can add this course to your basket.

Once you’ve selected your chosen course,  go to your basket to complete your application. You will then be prompted to log into your Kent Music online customer account.

If you don’t have an online customer account, then don’t worry – you can still easily apply at the ‘Apply Here’ button. You’ll be taken through some simple steps to create an account and your application will be processed the same as someone with an existing account.

After your application is complete, you’ll be sent further information about your ensemble to confirm.

If you have any questions or concerns about applying, please contact our Customer Services team on customerservices@kent-music.com