About Oscar Lopez

A life behind
the drums.

I’m Óscar López, a drum teacher and working drummer in Oxford, originally from Gran Canaria. I grew up around my Dad’s gigs, started my own professional work in 2010 and now divide my time between studio teaching and live performance.

From Gran Canaria to Oxford

Growing up
around the drums.

I’m a second-generation drummer. Growing up in Gran Canaria, I regularly went to watch my Dad play. At first, drums were simply part of the background. Later, I wanted to have a go myself.

I started playing in 2007. I went along to help my Dad set up and see how gigs worked from the musicians’ side. Once I could play well enough, I occasionally joined him for a song or two.

There was one early attempt at a lesson when I was very young, but we never had regular formal lessons. What came later was much more informal.

A rehearsal room and a mountain of books.

My Dad gave me the keys to his rehearsal room, a mountain of drum books and enough help with reading to get started. I’d practise until I got stuck, go back with questions, then head down to the rehearsal room and try again.

Later, I took lessons with other drummers in Gran Canaria. When touring artists came to the island, I’d look up who was playing drums, find them on social media and ask for a lesson. Quite a few said yes.

My own professional gigs began in 2010, playing in bands and hotels in Gran Canaria. Study at ICMP in London, cruise work, festivals and European touring followed. The details are in the timeline below.

These days I teach in Oxford and perform with The Bandeoke Experience and Milo Max. Weddings, corporate events, private parties and live karaoke make up the main part of my playing work.

The career so far

How I got here.

From going to my Dad’s gigs to my own professional playing and teaching. Several parts of my career have developed alongside each other.

From 2007
Learning to play
I started playing in Gran Canaria, learning from my Dad and other drummers.
From 2010
Professional playing and teaching
My first professional work was in bands and hotels in Gran Canaria. By 2012, I was also teaching private pupils.
2013–2015
London, study and work at sea
I moved to London in 2013 and completed ICMP’s Higher Diploma in 2014, receiving the programme’s Best Drums award. During this period, I also played in artist projects, function bands and cruise bands.
2015–2019
Festivals, theatre and touring
My playing took me into festivals and theatre productions, followed by touring in Spain and elsewhere in Europe. By 2019, I was teaching private pupils in Oxford.
From 2020
School teaching and local collaborations
I began teaching in schools alongside jazz and theatre projects in Oxford.
From 2021
Original music and live events
I combined original music projects with regular work playing live events.
From 2023
Preparing the show
My work with The Bandeoke Experience now includes logistics and operations, liaising with clients, venues and musicians to help us deliver great shows. That experience gives me more to draw on when helping drummers take the next step in their playing or career.
2026
A dedicated Oxford studio
My teaching moved into a purpose-built studio. I now teach here or online, from first lessons through to professional development.

At the kit with the band.

Playing alongside teaching

What I bring
from the stage.

At a live show, whether it’s a corporate event, a wedding or a party, my priority is to get people dancing and keep them there. Everything I do on the drums serves that purpose.

Dancing can mean a couple’s romantic first dance or a headbanging mosh pit at a festival. I can help you learn how to play for the occasion.

Explore my performance work

The current studio setup · October 2026

Teaching in Oxford

How I teach
today.

I’ll always have a plan, with room to adapt to your requests and goals. If you like the drums but aren’t sure how to get started, I can help you find a direction. If you already have a plan, I can help you put it into practice. You’ll have room to try things, ask questions and notice what works for you, with help when you get stuck.

Lessons take place in my Oxford studio or online. You might want to play for fun, join a band or prepare for a grade. We’ll take your playing seriously whatever your ambitions. If you want to play drums for a living, we can work towards that too.

DBS and safeguarding training updated in 2026.

Explore drum lessons

Google reviews

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 5 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Taotao Chen 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I searched ‘Drum Teacher in Oxford’ on Google and Oscar’s details popped up the first. I must say this is the best Google experience ever! Oscar is really passionate about the drum playing. For the past two years, my child has been learning with Oscar, from a total beginner to a Trinity Grade 5 drum player, quite impressive! Oscar is very patient, with several years’ teaching experience, so he knows how to make pupils, pre-school age to teenagers, engaged and understood easily. It is a pity that we are leaving Oxford, so wouldn’t be able to learn with Oscar, but I totally recommend him to all parents of whatever age children!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Vic Ox 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Oscar is an amazing drummer and a fantastic teacher.
My son’s drumming skills have really improved, and he’s now feeling confident enough to play in a small band with his friends.
Oscar comes to my house every week, which makes it super convenient. He’s lessons are well designed and fun for all.
I highly recommend him!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Adam Wilson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a fantastic experience learning drums with Oscar. Having played other instruments and mostly taught myself the drums, I was looking for someone who could tailor lessons to my existing knowledge while making sure I had all the necessary fundamentals. Oscar did exactly that—his approach was structured yet flexible, ensuring I built a solid foundation while keeping the lessons engaging and my progress moving quickly.

His teaching style is clear, encouraging, and always focused on practical application, which made each session both productive and enjoyable. I highly recommend Oscar to anyone looking to improve their drumming, whether you're a complete beginner or already have experience!

Thanks again, Oscar!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Stuart 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Oscar is an enthusiastic and versatile drum teacher, keeping my kid  engaged and progressing with every lesson!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Elena Russu 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Oscar is a great teacher

I started to learn drums 2 years ago and now I can play a few songs.
Also Oscar can create music and notation for new band and you can learn all different  gander of music.

What would you like to play?

Tell me a little about your playing and the music you enjoy. Whether you are starting from scratch or bringing a particular problem, we can work from there.

Enquire about lessons

A life behindthe drums.

Growing uparound the drums.

A rehearsal room and a mountain of books.

How I got here.

Learning to play

Professional playing and teaching

London, study and work at sea

Festivals, theatre and touring

School teaching and local collaborations

Original music and live events

Preparing the show

A dedicated Oxford studio

What I bringfrom the stage.