NEW: A weekend intensive course on Cuban popular music (all instruments) on the first weekend in October  in Leeds – directed by Sue Miller, with the percussion section led by Charanga del Norte percussionist Jack McCarthy: if interested contact Sue on the contacts page for more details…there are still 8 places left…

PLUS a course in Cuba with Buena Vista Social Club and veteran son and charanga musicians lin 2011 – email Sue for more details…..

My workshops in Cuban music are ‘arrangements-based’ catering for a big band line-up that also includes strings. I have written over 30 arrangements for brass, woodwind, piano, bass, percussion, strings and vocalists with the aim of teaching the Cuban styles of Son, Son Montuno, Danzón, Mambo, Chachachá, Bolero, Guajira and Pachanga through practical ‘hands on’ rehearsal and performance.

My  ‘one off ‘ day intensive courses are run at Yorkshire College of music and focus on stylistic and cultural aspects of Cuban music and are tailored to the level of the students. I am assisted on the first Autumn course by Charanga del Norte percussionist Jack McCarthy

Here’s a percussion demonstration Jack did for my university students on 9 November 2009 :

My courses are tailored to suit professional musicians, university music students,  secondary school and sixth form music students and community bands, orchestras and ensembles.

In 2011 I will be directing a Cuban music course in Havana working with Cuban music veterans, with Masterclasses from the likes of Amadito Valdes from Buena Vista Social Club so do get in touch via the contacts page if you would like to participate in this one.