Nandi's father and drum teacher to open Ipswich music school

Many in the town are familiar with Nandi’s meteoric rise to fame.  

After excelling in a school maths competition, Nandi’s parents gifted her with a toy drum kit.

Her father, John Bushell, encouraged his daughter’s natural sense of rhythm and began uploading covers of Nandi playing to social media.  

Her drum teacher, Ashley Howard, also helped nurture her musical talent, as did her guitar teacher, Tom McCarthy.  

Since then, 13-year-old Nandi has performed at Wembley Stadium, Buckingham Palace, and is set to return to the O2 Arena in January.  

L-R: Ashley Howard, his wife, Natalie Howard, Stairways director of welfare and safeguarding, and their children; and Nandi's mother Lungile Bushell, Stairways director of HR, John Bushell, and their two children Thomas and Nandi. Image: Tom McCarthy (Image: Tom McCarthy)

Nandi and Thomas Bushell are excited to meet other people in Ipswich their age with a flair for music. Image: John Bushell (Image: John Bushell)

Now, Nandi's parents and Mr Howard and his family are determined to share their knowledge and experience with others. 

Stairways Music School will begin delivering courses to both adults and children from September.  

Based in Burlington Baptist Church in London Road, Mr Howard is the school’s director of music and head tutor, while Mr Bushell is director of business and marketing. 

Mr McCarthy will also join the team to teach guitar. 

“Ipswich might end up being a musical hub for the future,” said Mr Bushell. “We might get some of the greatest bands that have ever existed coming from Ipswich, from Stairways.” 

He and Mr Howard were discussing the need for a high quality but affordable music school. 

“I teach so many drummers privately, but there is nowhere for them to play with other musicians in the area,” said Mr Howard. 

The two of them pooled their knowledge and contacts, and have come up with a way to share everything they have learned from Nandi’s success with a new generation of musicians.  

The players will have access to a range of completely free equipment and will have the chance to form connections with each other, and possibly their own bands. 

The school will give budding musical talents the chance to perform together, with top-of-the-range equipment. Image: John Bushell (Image: John Bushell)

Tom McCarthy (left) taught Nandi to play guitar, while Ashley Howard (right) taught her to play the drums. Image: John Bushell (Image: John Bushell)

Mr Howard continued: “We also want to make sure that we take the students to a recording studio, that we have festivals lined up, so they have the chance to play on stage in front of a lot of people, to build their confidence.” 

For Nandi, and her younger brother Thomas, this is an exciting opportunity to build connections with other musical talents. 

“I'm excited because it'll be lots of fun,” she said. “Everyone can make lots of new friends and jam it out. Kids can have the confidence to play in front of crowds and it will be a really fun experience everyone. 

"It’s also for adults, not just children. They can also make friends and have fun as well.” 

The first courses offered by Stairways Music School will run from September to October. 

To learn more or to book a place, visit: https://stairways.school/