Workshops and Keynotes

We have an intense day of keynotes and workshops planned for you on Friday 17th January. Check out what's on and make sure you book your time with these industry legends and heavyweights!

Once you have read through the workshops,  book them:  

KS3 HERE                    KS4/5 HERE


BOTB 2025 Workshops*
Battle of the Bands provisional schedule (subject to change)

KEYNOTE 01

Noel Sullivan

Noel brings his expertise and experience of stage and screen to you in this first of two keynotes. What is it like working in London's West End? Performing in some of London's biggest rock musicals as a principal role and lead singer? Come and hear the fascinating story of WestEnd superstar Noel Sullivan! 


UK TV appearance

KEYNOTE 02

Noel Sullivan

Winning a the UK's biggest TV talent show? What happens when you become an overnight sensation? At 19, Noel Sullivan won the premier UK TV talent show Popstars, and went on to have the fastest selling single in UK chart history with pop group Hear'say. Hear how he survived the crazy ride from audition to stadium. 


Noel Sullivan - Rise to Fame

KEYNOTE 03

10X YOUR CAREER - GLOBAL SUCCESS WHILE AT SCHOOL

 Roo Pigott and guests

Roo specialises in working with new artists and bands to help them acheive global success. He worked with Arctic Monkeys through their launch, gave Ed Sheeran a gig when he was 15, worked with Muse's management through their first 5 albums, and was the first to offer platinum selling band Catfish and the Bottlemen a publishing deal when they were an unknown band. Currently working with breakthrough artists Mila Bea, Matilde G, and LackFelt and seeing growing global success for each of them. Roo is here to show you how to forge your own path to success while still at school, and will be opening the conversation up to the audience for a questions and answers - NOT TO BE MISSED!

KEYNOTE 04

RELEASING YOUR MUSIC - DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION

 Isaac Miranda

Isaac brings his experience of running and developing the south east asia arm of OneRPM, one of the most successful digital distribution companies in the world, along with his artist management background to bring you this cutting edge keynote.  Essential info for artists in the making!

SESSION 1 WORKSHOPS 

WORKSHOP A1

Tom Watkins

🎸 ROCK YOUR WAY TO AN A* 🎓

This is your chance to turn your epic riffs and killer lyrics into top-notch coursework! With decades of stage experience and a track record as a world-class educator - including countless students rock musicians achieving the highest grades - Mr. T is here to show you the secret formula to smash your GCSE, IB, or A-Level music composition. 🎤🔥

Mr T has been leading GCSE and A-level classes for 20 years! Learn how to submit YOUR original rock song and walk away with an A*! 💥 Don’t just play music - make it count for your future. Let’s turn your rock dreams into academic success! 🤘

Sign up now, and let the music (and the grades) soar! 🎶✨

WORKSHOP B1

Zaim Z and El Roy 

Bassists and drummers! Fancy solos v's effective rhythm section? Come and learn some essential grooves and chops! 

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WORKSHOP C1


James Bennett 


Moving, strutting, working the stage, looking cool as a GUITARIST, BASS PLAYER, and KEYBOARD PLAYER! Come and learn from the best, as West End and Britain's Got Talent, star choreographer James Bennett shares his expert industry knowledge.



WORKSHOP D1

Vocal Essentials with Debra Abraham! 

Master the Foundations, Unlock Your True Voice! Identify Your Voice Type & Learn How to Sound Like a Rockstar!

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D1: VOCAL ESSENTIALS with Rockstarz Director, Debra Abraham! Debra Abraham is a highly experienced vocal coach, singing competition adjudicator and teacher trainer with 20 years of experience under her belt. A music grad from the University of Newcastle Australia, Debra has taught singers from all over the world, helping her students achieve success in vocal exams/competitions as well as auditions into prestigious music programmes, and stardom as many of her students have also become performers,songwriters and recording artistes! 

Come & learn vital vocal techniques at the Vocal Essentials workshop! This session focuses on the support system of the voice/anchoring the voice, breathing,the diaphragm/core muscles,whole body posture. 

Find your voice type & vocal range! Learn about vocal registers, tessituras, passagios, voice placement and the anatomy of the voice. Sign Up Today & Unleash Your Voice!⭐

WORKSHOP E1

Ableton Live chops!

An Introduction to Using Ableton Live for DJing

Ready to elevate your DJ game? Join DJ Mario and DJ Layzr in this dynamic workshop designed to unlock the power of Ableton Live for DJing. Whether you're a beginner or a pro looking to expand your toolkit, this session has something for you! 

What You’ll Learn:

🎛 Master the Interface – Navigate Ableton Live’s intuitive layout like a pro.
🎚 Essential Tools & Features – Discover how to harness the software's unique capabilities to elevate your sets.
🎵 Track Setup Made Simple – Learn the steps to organize and prepare tracks for seamless mixing.
🎹 Clip Launching & Effects – Experiment with live clip launching and add flair to your mixes using basic effects.

This workshop is perfect for DJs who want to explore the creative potential of Ableton Live and integrate it into their performances.

SESSION 2 WORKSHOPS 

WORKSHOP A2

Tom Watkins

🎹 TAKE YOUR KEYBOARD SKILLS TO THE NEXT LEVEL 🎶

Ready to sound like a pro and take your band’s music to the big leagues? 🌟 Elite keyboard maestro Mr. T is here to reveal the secrets of playing with feel and making every chord phrase shine. Learn how to shape your phrases like a true professional and create that polished, studio-quality sound!

But that’s not all - discover why sound selection is the ultimate game-changer for your band. 🎛️ Master the art of matching tones to real songs and elevate your band’s vibe to studio-recording perfection. Whether it’s rocking the stage or nailing that rehearsal, this workshop will transform your keyboard playing forever.

Don’t miss out - join us and make your keyboard and piano playing unforgettable! 🎹✨

WORKSHOP B2

Songwork International 


The art of songwriting? Here’s a 10 step approach to get you going!

Roo's publishing company, Prolific Songs, was responsible for 18 global number 1's for some of the biggest artist in the world. Many of Roo's signings come from finding new talent at schools that he visits. Come and hear about a unique approach to song writing led by Songwork International CEO Roo Pigott. 

How do you actually write a song? Lyrics first? Chords first? Melody first? And what comes after that? Answer these questions with Roo, and show him your skills!

WORKSHOP C2

Dance King: James Bennett


What is it like working on some of London's biggest West End shows? How about working on TV with shows like Britain's Got Talent? TV dance supremo James Bennett shares his vast industry knowledge!

WORKSHOP D2

Sarah Imran

A Music-Geek's Ultimate Deep-Dive:

Unlocking the Vocal Secrets of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody

"Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?" 

Join vocal coach Sarah I for a juicy metaphysical workshop delving into the technical brilliance of Bohemian Rhapsody. This interactive session blends discussion, demonstration and practical exercises, as we discover the vocal techniques that make this song an artistic watering hole. From the delicate a capella intro, gritty yet tender verses to the dramatic operatic interlude and electrifying rock finale, there's so much to unpack!

Discover how stylistic authenticity and technical mastery converge to create works of art.

WORKSHOP E2

DJ MASTERZ! 

An Introduction to DJ Skill: Mixing and Creativity

Discover the secrets behind electrifying DJ sets in this hands-on workshop! DJ Mario and DJ Layzr will guide you through essential techniques to help you create unforgettable experiences on the dance floor.

What You’ll Learn:

🎶 Tempo Matching Made Easy: Understand the art of matching beats between tracks for smooth transitions.

🎚 EQ Adjustments: Learn how to fine-tune bass, mids, and treble to balance your mix and keep the energy dynamic.

🔄 Flawless Transitions: Master techniques like fading, cutting, and layering to create seamless connections between tracks.

🎵 Creative Mixing Tips: Explore ways to inject your unique style into sets, keeping the crowd engaged and wanting more.

Whether you're a beginner stepping into the DJ world or looking to refine your existing skills, this workshop will equip you with the tools to command the decks with confidence!


SESSION 3 WORKSHOPS 

WORKSHOP A3

Tom Watkins

🎙️ RECORD, MIX, AND ROCK THE WORLD! 🎧

Ever dreamed of recording your band but felt stuck trying to make it sound just right? 🎸✨ This is your chance to learn from the best! Mr. T, with his expert knowledge, is here to show you the essentials of recording your live band and turning those tracks into pure magic. You'll learn how to

🎛️ Set up a basic recording system

🎚️ Mix your parts for a professional sound

🌟 Create tracks that pop!

Whether you're sharing your music online or sending it out to wow the world, this workshop will help you capture the sound you’ve always wanted. Don’t just play - record, release, and ROCK!

Come, learn and let your band’s music shine! 🎶🔥

WORKSHOP B3

Beat Nation

Ready to impress your friends? International Beatbox Education Pioneer, Justin is excited to teach you learn the fundamentals of beatboxing - vocal percussion, trumpet sound, siren sound, human echo and how to put them into beats! You won't need a radio in the car after this session!

Beatnation

Beatnation is Asia's leading beatbox organization in the field of education and performance, providing transformative opportunities for beatbox enthusiasts and music lovers alike!

The truth is...

You can beatbox! Yes, you read this right. Now you're thinking "but it's only for the talented people". Well, that's you! Beatboxers learn to beatbox just like how singers learn to sing and instrumentalists train their skills. 

All you need to do is learn the right steps, and you'll be on your way to making drums beats, basslines, synths, trumpet melodies and more with just your mouth!

WORKSHOP C3

James Bennett 

BAND CHOREOGRAPHY? Essential basic choreography for the entire band - Choreography supremo James Bennett will guide bands on how to create a show ready number, looking cohesive together!

West End choreographer James Bennett!

WORKSHOP D3

Sarah Imran

Let's Rock those Harmonies

The Art and Science of Vocal Layering

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Take your harmonies to new heights in this hands-on workshop with Sarah I, founder and choral director of The Sound Collective (as featured in The Star: Read here). Put your pitch to the test, and get a grasp on how harmonies work, and how to create them!

Whether you're gearing up for a performance, or in the midst of writing your next song, this workshop's for you!

WORKSHOP E3

Noel Sullivan

Performance stamina for vocalists!

Performance stamina. How to look after your voice when performing 8 shows a week? Vocal health and general health is a key part of being a professional musician. Come and hear Noel Sullivan's incredible insights!

SESSION 4 WORKSHOPS 

WORKSHOP A4

Farique 'Fitch' Nadzir

Guitar Pedal Heads! 

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Guitar Maestro of Nadir

Confused about pedals? Which one to use? What they do? How to link them into a chain? This is for you! Mastering guitar pedals with official Ibanez Artist and Nadir wizard Farique "Fitch" Nadzir. 

WORKSHOP B4

Beat Nation

Beat King Justin is ready to show you some awesome Beatboxing in Acapella - learning how there's so much more for you to explore in the acapella world through the lens of beatboxing. From percussion to manipulation the timbre and textures of sounds with beatbox techniques, if you love sound and how it makes you feel, its time for you to dive deeper! 

Imagine beatboxing as a band

You don't need to! There are plenty of beatbox crews out there (like Berywam and Sarukani), beatboxers who beatbox while playing instruments and beatboxers who have collaborated with renowned artists like Ariana Grande and Jason Derulo. 

In our workshops, you will learn fundamental vocal percussion, cool sound effects like the electric guitar, trumpet, and human echo, along with how to sing and beatbox at the same time!

Pick up beatboxing now to spice up your musical abilities and take your band to the next level!

WORKSHOP C4

James Bennett


Moving, strutting, working the stage, looking cool as a SINGER! Come and learn from the best, as West End and Britain's Got Talent, star choreographer James Bennett shares his expert industry knowledge.

James Bennett @ Britian's Got Talent

WORKSHOP D4

Noel Sullivan 

How to ACE an audition! Tips to secure a successful audition - Learn how to prepare for and then sell yourself in auditions. Whether this is auditions for university, conservatoire places, or for roles in shows and TV.

Noel Sullivan as West End lead for School of Rock

WORKSHOP E4

Tom Watkins

🎤 OWN THE STAGE - LIVE SOUND SKILLS 🎛️

Tired of feeling out of your depth at live gigs? It's time to take charge and make your band sound amazing every time you hit the stage! 🎸✨ Learn from the expert Mr. T as he walks you through everything you need to know about live gig setups.

Here’s what you’ll master:

🎚️ Navigating the mixing desk like a pro

🎛️ Understanding DI boxes, routing, and live mixing techniques

🎤 Confidently communicating with sound engineers to get the best for your band

No more standing around feeling unsure - be the one who knows exactly what to do!  Turn up, set up and own your live sound like a total professional. Come join us and get your band sounding great live - every time! 🌟🔥