the courses
MUSIC PERFORMANCE (27–31 July 2026)
This high-energy week is all about performing live, growing in confidence and experiencing what it’s like to be part of a real band.
Working alongside top professional musicians and tutors including Kieron Pepper, Layla Terry, Ben Thomas and Tom Swann, students will dive into rehearsals, performance workshops and live showcases every day.
From mastering stage presence to learning how to connect with an audience, every session is designed to inspire creativity, teamwork and confidence.
Whether students are brand new to performing or already gigging regularly, everyone is welcome.
The week ends with an unforgettable Friday Finale Gig where friends and family can celebrate an incredible week of music, growth and live performance.
SONGWRITING (10–14 August 2026)
Unlock creativity and turn ideas into original music at the Summer Songwriting School, this inspiring week gives young musicians the chance to write, create and collaborate in a supportive and exciting environment.
Led by experienced artists and educators including Kieron Pepper, Layla Terry and Jade Williams, students will explore lyric writing, melody creation, chord progressions and arranging while discovering how to shape their own musical identity.
Through group collaboration and creative workshops, they’ll gain confidence in expressing themselves and bringing their ideas to life.
We welcome everyone from complete beginners to young artists already writing their own material. At the end of the week, we will finish with a Finale Gig, where students will share the songs they’ve created and celebrate their creative journey together.
MUSIC PRODUCTION (10–14 August 2026)
Create beats, record tracks and explore the future of music at the Summer Music Production School, This hands-on course introduces students to the world of music production using industry-standard software, technology and techniques.
Guided by expert tutors including Kieron Pepper, Layla Terry and Bob Earland, students will experiment with beat-making, recording, sampling, DJ skills and digital production while learning how professional tracks are created from start to finish.
Every day encourages imagination, collaboration and confidence as students develop their own unique sound.
All abilities are welcome, from complete beginners to budding producers already making music at home. The week culminates in an exciting Finale Gig where students can showcase their creations and celebrate everything they’ve achieved.
WEST-END WEEK (3-7 August 2026)
Step into the spotlight and experience the thrill of musical theatre at West End Week — an immersive, high-energy journey into the world of stage performance.
Throughout the week, students will rehearse and perform a specially adapted short version of a popular West End show, working together to bring iconic characters, songs and scenes to life. From ensemble numbers to standout solos, every student will play an important role in the production.
Led by experienced performing arts professionals which are yet to be confirmed, rehearsals will focus on acting, singing, movement and stagecraft, while building confidence, teamwork and storytelling skills along the way. Students will learn what it truly takes to put on a show — from first read-through to final curtain call.
Whether they’re seasoned performers or stepping onto the stage for the first time, everyone is welcome in this supportive and inspiring environment.
The week concludes with a show-stopping Friday performance for friends and family — a celebratory finale worthy of the West End.
MEET YOUR TUTORS
KEIRON PEPPER
JADE WILLIAMS
KEIRON PEPPER
Kieron Pepper is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer, known primarily for his work as the original live drummer for The Prodigy (1997-2007). He’s also a member of The Radiophonic Workshop, bass player for Britpop legends Sleeper and co-writer/producer for a variety of acts from Wargasm (UK) to Alabama 3. Always looking out fo
Kieron Pepper is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer, known primarily for his work as the original live drummer for The Prodigy (1997-2007). He’s also a member of The Radiophonic Workshop, bass player for Britpop legends Sleeper and co-writer/producer for a variety of acts from Wargasm (UK) to Alabama 3. Always looking out for top quality artists and bands, his passion within music education has always been mentoring and supporting the driven and talented. At WaterBear he is the Director of Artist Development and works closely alongside friends from over 20 years in the music industry.
BOB EARLAND
JADE WILLIAMS
KEIRON PEPPER
Bob Earland is a London-based musician, producer and engineer. He has worked in a variety of genres with recording credits including albums by Roots Manuva, Wiley, and Speech Debelle. Over the last 10 years he has toured extensively as a session musician with bands such as Clor and Jacknife Lee. Working closely with Radiophonic Workshop h
Bob Earland is a London-based musician, producer and engineer. He has worked in a variety of genres with recording credits including albums by Roots Manuva, Wiley, and Speech Debelle. Over the last 10 years he has toured extensively as a session musician with bands such as Clor and Jacknife Lee. Working closely with Radiophonic Workshop he played modular synthesisers and percussion for their live shows and contributed to their newly recorded material. More recently he provided technical and creative direction to a Dr WHO-themed live show at the Bluedot Festival in 2023. He is currently gigging with Brighton-based band Dark Horses promoting an album he produced with them.
JADE WILLIAMS
JADE WILLIAMS
JADE WILLIAMS
South Welsh Bardd and musician, Jade Williams is a professional session singer, songwriter, lyricist, MD and original artist in several projects (playlisted on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio Wales). With a classical background in pianoforte and as a lyrical soprano, Jade is a National Eisteddfod and Urdd winner, a Wells Cathedral School Specia
South Welsh Bardd and musician, Jade Williams is a professional session singer, songwriter, lyricist, MD and original artist in several projects (playlisted on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio Wales). With a classical background in pianoforte and as a lyrical soprano, Jade is a National Eisteddfod and Urdd winner, a Wells Cathedral School Specialist Vocalist, and a London College of Music alumna. She has since worked with top producers such as Chris Kimsey (Rolling Stones, Peter Frampton), Jim Lowe (Stereophonics, The Charlatans), and Dave Eringa (Manic Street Preachers, Jamie Webster), recording in renowned studios like Abbey Road, RAK, Eastcote, and Air.
Her live session work credits include The Brits, BBC Orchestra: Friday Night is Music Night, BBC, ITV, Paris Paloma (Kelly Clarkson Show, Vevo, RAK), LCV choir and Some Voices Company Choir. Jade is also a choir leader/MD, regularly appearing at legendary venues such as The Troxy with Some Voices (“the coolest choir in London” – Time Out). She has also extensively toured the UK and Europe, fronting the band Du Bellows – “There is a cosmic counterpoint alive and well here” – Jimmy Page and has a flourishing solo career project, Jade Like The Stone (BBC Radio Wales playlisted).
BEN THOMAS
BEN THOMAS
JADE WILLIAMS
Ben has been involved with music from a young age, Learning several instruments before focusing on the drums from the age of 11.
Growing up in the south east of the UK Ben played in many bands and projects around Brighton and London during his schools years spanning many genres.
Ben went on to study at ACM (Academy of Contemporary Music) a
Ben has been involved with music from a young age, Learning several instruments before focusing on the drums from the age of 11.
Growing up in the south east of the UK Ben played in many bands and projects around Brighton and London during his schools years spanning many genres.
Ben went on to study at ACM (Academy of Contemporary Music) and then at BIMM (Brighton Institute of Modern Music) to further develop his skills to pursue a career in Music. Following this this in 2012, Ben began studying under UK drummer Pat Garvey exploring many advanced techniques, styles and concepts on the instrument and for musical study.
Following and alongside his years of study Ben has worked with many bands and Solo artists across the UK again covering a wide variety of styles and set ups. In 2013 he began working with Rag n Bone Man (Columbia Records).
Since joining Rag n Bone Man he has played Festivals and Gigs worldwide playing in various Festivals , Stadiums, Arenas and Academies , including Glastonbury, Montreux Jazz Festival , Reading and Leeds , Radio 1 Big Weekend , Rock am Ring , Rock Im Park, Fuji Rock, Splendour in the Grass, Capital Ball (wembley Staduim) Ibiza Rocks, Roslilde, along with many more.
During this time, to date Rag n Bone Man has won 2 Brit Awards, 2 Echo Awards , had a UK number 2 Single with Human and a Number one album of the same name. The album has had world wide success, achieving Platinum and Gold status in many countries including the UK.
Ben has also appeared on many TV and Radio shows with Rag n Bone man including : Glastonbury (Other Stage BBC TV and Radio live coverage) Graham Norton, The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon (US), Ellen (US), Taratata (France) , Jonas Van Geel (Belgium) , Inas Nacht (Germany). The Echo Awards (Germany) as well as others and many still to come.
In the studio Ben has also been featured with Rag n Bone Man on many Radio and studio settings including live BBC Coverage of 2017’s Glastonbury Set on the Other Stage. BBC Radio 1’s Live lounge, Several Maida Vale sessions, Radio X, XFM and several online TV channels.
Along side this Ben has previously had a residency for a number of years in a studio creating library music for corporate clients, producing music spanning many different styles.
Over the years and between touring Ben is also an educator, teaching Drums and percussion. He was teaching with the East Sussex Music Service from 2008
TOM SWANN
BEN THOMAS
LAYLA TERRY
Tom is a bass player who has been a professional in the industry for over 20 years.
Playing as a session musician live and in the studio for artists such as Paolo Nutini, Chesney Hawkes, Dermot Kennedy, the Ordinary Boys, and Cathy Dennis.
Not only a bass player, Tom also plays keyboards, guitar, and composes library music for various media platforms.
LAYLA TERRY
BEN THOMAS
LAYLA TERRY
Layla Terry is an up-and-coming drum and bass artist known for her catchy top-lines and powerful vocals, performing across dance and live music stages nationwide.
With a exciting stage presence and a love for high-energy performance, she brings both creativity and performance to everything she does.
Alongside her work in drum and bass, Lay
Layla Terry is an up-and-coming drum and bass artist known for her catchy top-lines and powerful vocals, performing across dance and live music stages nationwide.
With a exciting stage presence and a love for high-energy performance, she brings both creativity and performance to everything she does.
Alongside her work in drum and bass, Layla is a singer-songwriter, dancer, performer and pianist, giving her a well-rounded understanding of music and stagecraft. Her experience across different disciplines allows her to support young artists not just vocally, but in performance skills, confidence and musicality.
Layla is also the founder of BN1 NXTGEN, BN1 Arts’ Saturday Academy program.
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