Meet Toby…
Like many working musicians, I spent many years teaching drums, from complete beginners in the 90s to students on degree and postgraduate courses in the 2000s. I balanced that with an active performance career, playing in West End theatre shows, studios, and live with various artists. Most notably, a Rolling Stone, a Bee Gees, a Spice Girl, and hundreds of other artists on stages around the world.
When the pandemic hit, the music stopped. COVID-19 not only brought teaching to a halt, but it also stopped live performance. For the first time in my life, music was not an option. My only student during that time was my eldest son.
We made the most of it. I helped him focus, build confidence, and prepare for his 11+ music aptitude test, which he passed to secure a place at his first-choice school. That experience reminded me of something I had always known but had perhaps forgotten in the rush of professional life: music changes people. It gives them confidence, focus, and a way to express themselves that nothing else can.
During my forced career break from music, I built a consulting business helping high-trust professionals communicate more clearly and connect with the people they serve using podcasting. I made some connections in America and ended up working with CEOs in healthcare, including therapists and oncologists. Things took a turn when I was hired by astronaut Kathy Sullivan (the first American woman to walk in space) to work on her website and podcast. Here I am speaking with Kathy about how the Hubble telescope compares to the James Webb telescope!
Obviously, this was a remarkable turn of events, so I documented my process in my bestselling book, Narrow Podcasting, which explores how podcasting can be used to grow businesses. That led to speaking engagements at international conferences across the USA and here in the UK. I still find the whole thing quite unbelievable.
Kathy and I made over 120 episodes together, and just like gigs in my music career, one astronaut led to another. She introduced me to her fellow Hubble crewmate, General Charles F. Bolden (NASA’s first Black administrator), with whom I worked via The Bolden Group from December 2023. You’ll get a sense of what I’ve been doing outside of music if you check out my LinkedIn here.
But the joy I felt teaching my son has never left me. Music means more to me now than ever before. At the time of writing, we have just received his Grade Seven result (99/100)! He also achieved a distinction at Grades five and six. I have come to realise that what music taught me was what led me to be trusted by these incredible people outside of music, including two former heads of the US government.
While I cannot return to full-time teaching, I am in a position to help a small number of people learn and grow through music, whether that is through drum lessons locally in Croxley Green or music aptitude coaching for families preparing for the 11+.
For me, this is as much about music as it is about building communication skills that last a lifetime.