Music teacher gets families drumming along together

Self-employed music teacher Joe Cooper, 28, works regularly at Western Primary School and Woodfeld Primary School, both in Harrogate, and has taught at other schools in the town and Knaresborough.

Although his main work is teaching in primary schools and running workshops for children, he has been looking to embark on new projects and noticed that the only after-schools clubs for fathers and children seemed to be football related.

So Mr Cooper, of Kingsley Close, Harrogate, has started Drumming With Dads on Sunday mornings at Kidzplay Play Centre in Beech Road, Starbeck, Harrogate.

The sessions were so popular he has split them into two, at 9.15am and 9.50am.

He said: "Drumming is a good way to promote motor control among the youngsters, combined with dancing and actions. We use triangles and small drums for the kids. But there are bigger drums for dads, including a snare drum, African drums, and home-made drums. Dads hate singing along to Wheels on the Bus. So we have Led Zeppelin, Queen and classical."

Classes start again on January 15. More information is available at www.joecoopermusic.co.uk.