Aaron, Alex, Anna, Antony, Aren, Ben, Bethany, Billie (Assistant Group Leader), Callum, Chelsea (Group leader), Christopher A, Christopher B, Elliot, George M, George R (Group Leader), Harry, Helena, Jack, James, Jim, Joey, Josh, Josie (Assistant Group Leader), Kendall (Assistant Group Leader), Kieran, Liam, Matt (Group Leader), Mollie, Oliver, Rebecca, Sam, Stanley, Stefan, Talitha, Will and Youssef.
The Adult Team: Angela(Co-Founder), Bill (Technical/Sound), Dalene (Pianist/Arranger), Gareth (Tutor/Arranger), Mark (Principal & Co-Founder), Ned (Music Tutor/Arranger) and Wendy (Music Tutor/Arranger)
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The Groove Academy empowers musical young people (aged 11 18) to step out and extend themselves musically and relationally, as valued members of our friendly community known as The Groove Agent Collective. Our intention is not to provide music lessons under a fancy title, but rather to coach our students by means of objectives and opportunities, in their collective pursuit of personal goals and rewards.
The Groove Academy is a privately-run community music school founded by Hampton residents Mark and Angela Ramsay. We launched in April 2004 with the aim of offering unique opportunities to musically-gifted young people in our local community. With many public performances to our credit and the release of our first Groove Academy album in June 2005, the academy has grown significantly - attracting students and volunteers from across the borough and beyond.
Although we are not organised or governed as a charity, our goals are consistent with the principles of social enterprise:
"Social Enterprises are businesses with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners"
Our mission is to build a community of empowered young people, using music as the essential medium by which to establish commonality, create opportunity and encourage teamwork among students between the ages of 11 and 18. We are committed to providing a broadly-accessible learning centre of excellence in contemporary music and music technology where students - regardless of race, background, culture or gender, can express themselves freely and develop their abilities in an atmosphere of fun, purpose, respect, reward and safety. It is our desire to see our students mature as musicians, as individuals, and to realize the value of collaborating in music as a means of enriching themselves, their fellow-students and the community at large.
Our teaching construct is geared towards developing confidence, versatility and the ability to think 'out the box'. Our desire to balance excellence with community requires that we lead by example and that we establish high but reasonable expectations - for both behaviour and performance.
You did it again guys! Everyone did so well meeting up to the challenge that was 'All That Jazz' - wonderful singing, cool improvisation and slick set-pieces - a fantastic evening. Wishing you all a fantastic Christmas and a wonderful 2009
PS - Is it just me or is 'Another Way To Die' the coolest Bond theme ever?
yeah, managed to track you down after seeing you at the Schools Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.
You guys were my fave act of the evening and just wanted to pop on here and let y'all know how good I thought you were.
I like your style of music and choice of songs. I was right up in the gallery and it's interesting being so far away 'cos the whole 'xfactor/stage presence' concept really kicks in when you can't see peoples faces up close.
Thought the bass player on the first song was brilliant. felt like she was driving it all forward. The drummer was excellent too. I liked the way you all swapped round for the third song. I've gotta give it up for the girl who sang the second song, really really brilliant, really had the 'xfactor' and got your attention.
All the very best in what you are doing. it's brilliant. well done.
A big thank you to everyone for all your hard work - it definitely paid off. The standard was extremely high. What a great venue to perform in. Just a reminder that the next public performance is at The Bruschetta Jazz Corner on the 30th October.
Just to say a huge well done for all your hard work this past week and for an especially enjoyable performance this weekend at the St Mary's UC SMART Festival. I thought there were some magnificent performances, including some notable debuts from our new Groove Agents. Nice work!
