Tabla Tuition

            As a tabla teacher, Jon is available to give individual or group tabla tuition to students of various levels, from beginners to more experienced players.

Indian Music workshops for schools, colleges & universities. Jon has worked with a variety of age groups and ability levels, ranging from pre-school to university students and has a current Enhanced CRB Disclosure certificate.

Jon has a BA (Hons) Music from Dartington College of Arts ( 2000) & is an Associate Lecturer at University of Plymouth.

In recent years Jon has worked as a tutor or delivered workshops at:

University of Plymouth, Rolle College Exmouth, Dartington College of Arts, Somerset College of Arts & Technology, Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Planet Drum Centre, Camden, South Devon College.

Jon has also delivered school workshops across the South West region as an independant artist & through the organisations: Plymouth Musiczone, DAISI, SPAEDA.
Schools in Gwent, South Wales can also book Jon's workshops through Gwent Music Support Service.

To see a list of some of the schools where Jon has delivered music workshops, click here

Music Workshops can also be delivered at Arts centres & festivals & can be combined with performances.

"Jon Sterckx has been an inspiring and highly popular associate lecturer in the University of Plymouth Music department for a number of years. His inputs range from workshop/recitals in classical Indian music, the exploration of Middle Eastern percussion via a more world music dynamic, through to exciting demonstrations involving live sampling and music technology….
Jon is sensitive to the leanings of the contemporary music student and also understands the requirements of the university system, having directed sizeable elements of taught modules, individually and with a sitarist.
He is 100% reliable and we always look forward to his various inputs."  - Phil Hull, Head of Music, University of Plymouth.

---

Indian Music Workshops - for Primary / Secondary / College & University Students.

These workshops are run together with Sitar Player Ricky Romain - The workshops give a comprehensive introduction to North Indian music, through the experience of melody ( Raga ) and rhythm ( Taal ) and the relationship between the two. Workshops can also include a professional Sitar & Tabla performance.

Click here for workshop information sheet in pdf format.

"The children had an enjoyable day and gained a lot" - Michelle Norman - Stokenham School, Kingsbridge.

"The day workshop on Indian music was a great addition to our topic on India. The children were able to listen to and participate in making authentic Indian music.They were able to draw upon the expertise and enthusiasm of Jon and Ricky, who were able to answer all their questions in an informative and interesting way. The children particularly enjoyed being able to create their own melodies, then directing Jon and Ricky to play their compositions.We were able to follow up this session in class and really got a feel for traditionally inspired music.

The workshops were mellow and a pleasure to take part in,as well as being very educational! I would recommend these workshops to anyone wanting to get an insight into traditional tabla and sitar music. Thank you again for a great day!"  The Staff and Children of Eden Park Primary School, Brixham.

"Thank you so much for all your hard work with the students last week at our Indian Culture theme day. A combination of the morning workshops along with the presentation in the afternoon proved to be very successful. The feedback from the students was very positive and it was very beneficial to attempt to widen the horizons of young people who live in a rural community. Thank you once again."  Mrs. K. Seib. Head of Performing and Visual Arts, Holyrood Community School, Somerset.

For more testimonials and reviews of Indian Music school workshops , please click here

---

Indian Music and song workshops - for Primary Schools

These workshops are run together with vocalist Sophie Sterckx. They give a basic and fun introduction to Indian music for Primary school students, using vocalisation of rhythms, scales and melodies and learning an Indian song.

Click Here for workshop information sheet in pdf format.

---

Drumscapes Workshops

These workshops explore the various elements that Jon incorporates into his live sampled work "Drumscapes". This will include:

An introduction to North Indian rhythm, looking at the rhythmic structures, approaches to improvisation and intricate rhythmic compositions.

Working with vocal percussion through the language of tabla.

Exploring different time signatures used in North Indian & Middle Eastern drumming.

Jon will also demonstrate & explain his methods & techniques for live percussion sampling.

Suitable for people with some musical experience, universities / colleges etc.

Click Here for workshop information sheet in pdf format.

"Jon Sterckx is a talented and versatile percussionist. His communication skills are excellent, and our students benefited very much from his Planet Drum masterclass on Indian percussion. Jon is also a commited educator whose knowledge of world percussion subjects and sound technology make him a "must have clinician" for any organization dealing with drums education or rhythm musicianship." Alain Maurel - Planet Drum Centre, Camden.

"The session was fantastic, hearing and seeing the pieces evolve before us and then being able to unpick and understand the techniques involved afterwards was really exciting! Jon was very informative and communicative - he managed to enthuse the whole group and challenge them to progress in their own ideas and work." Andy Prior - Programme Leader - BA (Hons) Sound & Music Production, University of Plymouth.

---

Tabla tuition in Varanasi, India with Kailash Nishad

Jon's tabla teacher Kailash Nishad lives on the bank of the sacred river Ganges in the holy city of Benares, Northern India. Kailash gives tabla tuition at his home and can be contacted to arrange lessons in advance.

click here for more info