Chris Hodges

Director of Music | Drum Tutor

Chris started playing drums aged 12 after an inspirational trip to Ronnie Scott's to see Dr John. Shortly after the trip to Ronnie's he started taking drum lessons, and soon busied himself transcribing Hendrix tracks with the help of his teacher. On leaving school, Chris was told that if he was serious about drums there was only one person to see - Bob Armstrong. People often say that he looks really relaxed when playing drums.  This all stems from nine years of hard graft with Bob, one of the UK’s finest drum tutors. 

On arrival in London, Chris founded The Rhythm Studio, and simultaneously embarked on a session drumming career. Some particularly memorable studio sessions include those with Teo Miller (Blur, Placebo), Mike Chapman (Blondie), Jamie Watson (Mogwai, Snow Patrol), Premen (Bloc Party, Mystery Jets), Kenny Jones (The Smiths, Billy Bragg) and George Shilling (Primal Scream, Steve Winwood). 

During this period, Chris recorded two studio albums his band Royal Treatment Plant, Halfway To The Sun and Hope Is Not Enough (NME 8/10 and album of the week on Huw Stephens' show on BBC Radio 1).  As well as studio work, a busy live schedule as session drummer for Bright Light Bright Light took Chris on tour supporting Ellie Goulding, onstage at Hammersmith Apollo, Bestival and Koko, and overseas to perform SXSW festival in Austin.

In 2011 Chris founded The Rhythm Studio Foundation (registered charity number 1145472) with the aim of widening access to the musical opportunities at the school. In 2012 he also became a trustee of The Nucleo Project, a children's classical music project based in Notting Hill. He continues in his role as Director of The Rhythm Studio, teaching drums and overseeing the running of the school.