Brighton music school founder goes solo

One of the founders of the Brighton Institute of Modern Music (BIMM) has started his own music school.

Damian Keyes has put together a team of professional musicians to teach rock and pop to youngsters from the age of seven.

He has set up the DK Music Academy with drummers, guitarists and vocalists who have worked alongside the likes of Dizzee Rascal, Feeder and Jessie J.

Mr Keyes, 37, from Hove, said: “Everyone likes music but people get put off the idea of learning an instrument because they think it will be all scales and classical tunes.

“We want children to fall in love with an instrument by showing them from the start how cool they are to play – and how easy it is to master their favourite songs.

Damian Keyes

“You don’t have to be on the verge of joining the Arctic Monkeys to join us. Even if you have never picked up an instrument but love the idea of playing one you should come to see us.”

Anyone interested in taking up the electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, drums or vocals can sign up for a free half-hour taster session.

Mr Keyes said: “Half an hour will be all it will take to make you fall in love with the idea of being in a band – then you’ve just got to decide which instrument is your favourite.

“Our tutors are all professionally trained musicians who are obsessed with their craft and making music that is fun and accessible.

“This is a really cool school where the atmosphere is relaxed and inspiring. All we care about is helping our students to be the very best that they can be.”

Mr Keyes was a musical prodigy who was teaching bass guitar to teenagers at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford before he turned 20.

Four years later he left to start the Brighton Institute of Modern Music (BIMM) to help develop generations of musicians.

Among the acts to have been trained at BIMM are the Kooks, the Ordinary Boys, Kate Walsh and Beth Rowley.

As a bass player he has performed alongside the likes of Alanis Morissette, Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan.

The DK Music Academy is based at the Hove Enterprise Centre in Basin Road North, Hove.

For more information visit dkmusicacademy.co.uk, email info@dkmusicacademy.co.uk or call 07415 610055.