"Carter is a true professional who is constantly pushing forward. His dedication to his craft is plain to see and hear in all that he does."

- Rich Kass

 

Hey! I’m Carter Skillicorn, a professional drummer, bandleader, and drum tutor based in Scotland. I grew up on the Isle of Man and started playing drums when I was eight. By my teens I was working professionally, which set me on the path I’ve followed ever since. I went on to earn a first-class honours degree in Music from Kingston University, where I specialised in performance, studio techniques, instrumental instruction, and music education.

 

Over the past decade I’ve built a career that balances live performance, recording, private tuition and community music. My playing is rooted in rock but shaped by jazz, funk, soul, and fusion. That variety keeps me adaptable and I aim to bring some musical depth to every project I’m part of. I’ve toured across the UK and Europe, played at numerous festivals, and I’m a regular on the Scottish live circuit, holding a long-running residency at The Jazz Bar in Edinburgh. I lead multiple projects as well as being a sideman in others.

 

Teaching is not just part of my work, it’s my mission. I bring passion for drumming and music into every lesson so that students not only grow in skill but also feel inspired and motivated. I want them to experience the joy of pushing themselves on the instrument while building good habits and discipline that carry into other areas of life. 

I’ve worked with complete beginners taking their first steps and guided them all the way to prestigious university courses in music, with many going on to become confident players, full-time students, and even tutors themselves. At the same time, I know not every student has these goals, and I equally enjoy supporting those who simply want to learn for fun. Seeing the byproducts of music: greater confidence, sharper coordination, and a positive attitude, is just as rewarding.

I see myself as both tutor and mentor, and my community of students as a family. That means supporting them through whatever avenues they take, on or off the kit. For me, it’s about the bigger picture: helping each person find their voice and their place in music, whatever path they choose.

 

I believe access to music should be open to anyone who wants it, not just those who happen to have the opportunity. Through my work with organisations such as MusiCares and Music Plus, as well as scholarships offered through my drum school, I support young people who otherwise might never get the chance to have formal tuition. Seeing them discover something that inspires them, and watching how it can transform their life, is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

 

I care deeply about the music scene itself, especially the grassroots venues where I continue to hone my craft and still perform today. These spaces, where musicians know and support one another, are the heartbeat of our community, and I feel lucky to be part of them.

 

Music has given me a life filled with connection, creativity, and purpose. My goal is to pass that on, whether I’m on stage, in the studio, or teaching one-to-one.