Our teachers

Marc Küsters - born in 1973 - received early professional instruction in rudimental drumming and classical drums, followed by drum set, percussion, timpani, vibraphone, marimba and piano. After studying music, Marc took his final exams in Utrecht (NL) in 1997.

Since then he has played in various bands, including as a bandleader, drummer and composer: Twosh, Sub-Rosa (Latin) Nachbars Lumpi (Soul-Funk), Chung Quartett (Jazz), Skinnybold (Rock), Hansen Tomas (Pop-NL), Cold Sweat (Soul), Under Cover (Cover), Mama Guela (Salsa/Samba/Reggae/Latin-Jazz), Lyrebirdz (Pop-Cover)...

He also arranges and produces music and advertising music for other artists and clients in his recording studio. Since 1999, Marc has been running the Kleve-Kellen music school (formerly "rhythm & groove factory") in Kleve on the Lower Rhine, which currently has over 300 students.

He also teaches young drummers, latecomers, aspiring music students and entire drum groups. In 2010, he developed his own free-floating drums and drum sets with utility model protection under the name MKdrums, which also found favor in the drumming scene.

Since 2013, Marc has been developing not only teaching and practice apps for smartphones and tablets with Prof. José Cortijo under the name “rhythmtoolsfactory”, but also composes and produces playalongs for Latin music, percussion, drums and cajon.

In 2018, Marc and José founded the percussion duo “#percussionways”.

Jörg Bruckschen

I have been teaching guitar (acoustic and electric) at the Kleve-Kellen music school since 2003 for all ages from 6 years old.

After successfully completing my studies at the Munich Guitar Institute (MGI), I became a professional and have since taught at various regional music schools, as well as privately.

At the same time, I was able to gain a lot of experience in national bands (cover and original) in the recording studio, on stage and in front of the camera both at home and abroad.

Musically, diversity is key for me. Accordingly, I feel at home in all popular music styles with a subtle penchant for anything rock-related.

I look forward to welcoming you to a trial lesson soon so that I can share with you the joy of music that has fascinated me since my beginnings.

Caetano Ruin: was born in Cologne in 2000 and is a percussionist, pianist and composer.

He has been playing congas since he was 6 years old. He is currently studying Latin percussion with Prof. André Groen at the Music Conservatory in Arnhem (ArtEZ) where he plays in many ensembles with different genres such as Latin, Afro Beat, Fusion, Brazilian music, Funk, Pop.

He was also a member of bands such as X Vision or Clap Club, Pelodum (a samba troupe), PADI Orchestra (a world music ensemble), Heimat Musik Ensemble Bochum (an oriental ensemble), Salsabor (a salsa big band).

Before he came to the university, Caetano took classical piano lessons at the music school in Bochum and later continued his education in the areas of jazz and pop. He is currently writing his own compositions and arrangements for his own project called "Ruin Quartett" and his duo called NAÉ with a singer.

He offers lessons for congas, bongos, timbales, cajon, hand percussion, Brazilian percussion and piano.

Ruin Quartet: https://www.youtube.com/@caetanoruin4498

NAÉ: https://www.youtube.com/@NAEduo

Léonie Bertram (*2002)

Ever since I started composing on the piano at the age of 11, the desire to do something with music has never left me.

After singing in school and chamber choirs for a long time, I started some choir projects myself and finally decided to study film music.

I completed the one-year preparatory course for film music and production at the Musicube Academy in Bonn and began my studies in composition for film and theater at the ArtEZ Conservatory in Arnhem.

My wish is to share my enthusiasm for music in various areas! Whether on the piano, through my voice, or with digital instruments from the computer - music is simply fun!

https://soundcloud.com/leonie-lara

Manuel Hermsen

I am a musician, music teacher, pianist and choir director. My own musical journey began as a child in early music education and led me to the piano at the age of six. During my school years I played in various bands and ensembles and increasingly discovered my passion for composition and the many ways of shaping music.

From 2003 to 2010 I studied music education (piano and cello) and instrumental pedagogy (piano and music theory) at the Folkwang University of the Arts, focusing intensively on composition and computer-based music production.

Since my studies I have worked as a piano teacher and choir director. It is particularly important to me to teach music not only through theory and technique, but to make it audible, tangible and understandable. My experience from very different musical worlds flows into my lessons – from classical music and jazz to electronic music and modern production.

I am also still active as a musician and producer: with various electronic music projects I have played at festivals and in clubs in Germany and abroad. This combination of classical training, pedagogy, composition and electronic music shapes my own musical path and my teaching.

Frank Matenaar received his first drum lessons at the age of 6 at the Kleve District Music School, learning not only the drum set but also classical percussion instruments and timpani from Prof. Stephan Froleyks, among others.

Later he received preparatory lessons on drum set, theory, ear training, pedagogy, didactics etc. from Marc Küsters at the rhythm & groove factory, school for jazz and popular music in Kleve.

Frank is, among other things, a lecturer at the Kleve-Kellen music school for drum set and cajon (since 2001) and, in addition to his engagements in gospel choirs and church projects, plays and tours in various local and national bands, e.g. Freaky Liquor Bottle, Impact, Jeffrey's Store etc.

currently: Vibravoid (Düsseldorf), Lärmeffekt, One Trick Pony

He can be heard with the bands and projects on numerous CDs and vinyl releases.

We welcome the Afro-Greek singer-songwriter and vocal coach Vee Vogli to our school. With more than 15 years of experience on stage and in teaching, she brings her extensive knowledge to us.

Her musical expertise ranges from jazz, pop and soul to hip hop and gospel, with a special focus on developing an authentic stage presence.

Vee sees her craft as a holistic process: she sensitively supports you in discovering your very own voice and in maturing, with growing self-confidence, into a convincing artistic personality.

Marc van Bebber is a drummer, musical director and recording drummer – and a home-grown talent of our music school.

He was born in Kleve, North Rhine-Westphalia, and started playing the drums at the age of five. Alongside his training in various local ensembles (Spielmannszug Materborn and the band of the Kleve volunteer fire brigade), he deepened his skills and knowledge at the Rhythm & Groove Factory (today Kleve-Kellen Music School), above all with Marc Küsters.

Over the years he has played in a wide range of line-ups – from bands and orchestras to cover projects and groups with their own musical ideas. Since the founding of “TÖNS” (Kleefse Tön) he has been the band’s musical director and drummer. He leads the rehearsals, writes arrangements, works on the band’s interplay and develops the stage show. With “TÖNS” he has also performed at Parookaville Festival, among others.

Since 2025 he has been working as a recording drummer, recording drums for artists and bands in his own studio. His recordings have already been used in productions in several European countries. As a father of two, he knows how important motivation and fun on the instrument are. His aim is to inspire his students for the drums, encourage their motivation and support each of them individually in their development.

www.marcvanbebber.com

Mikula Schulz

has gone from being a student at the district music school and later R&G to being a teacher at the MuKl. His musical career is characterized by a wide variety of styles (rock, jazz, pop, classical and improvisation) and a wide variety of keyboard instruments (piano, electric piano, synthesizer and organ), as well as a great interest in the theory and practice of experimental music. With the Jazz&Pop -piano- degree at the ArtEZ University in the Netherlands, he was able to delve deeper into the individual musical styles and focused primarily on his own improvisation and preparation techniques.

He is currently playing with qpiavis (modern jazz) and Haare Schneiden (electro improv) and is working on his new solo EP. You can find more information here: http://miqla.de

Christian Becker is a trumpet player from Kleve-Bimmen and teaches trumpet, trombone and horn at our school.

He began his training on the trumpet in 1991 – and has never stopped learning: in 2023/24 he took lessons with Daniel Forsnabba, and since 2025 he has been studying with Rüdiger Baldauf.

Besides the trumpet, he is also at home on flugelhorn, cornet and piccolo trumpet.

Since 1994 he has played first trumpet in the Musikverein Bimmen 1950 e. V., of which he is now chairman; from 1999 to 2010 he played first trumpet in the Polizeimusikorchester Kreis Kleve, and since March 2024 he has played first trumpet in the show band töns. (formerly Kleefse Tön).

He also writes arrangements, published by Sheet Music Plus (Hal Leonard).

More brass music on his YouTube channel and on Instagram:

https://www.youtube.com/@Beckerbimmen

https://www.instagram.com/chrizz_music

Maya Kehren

“Singing is more than just singing notes at the right time.

Singing is joy, healing, language and personal development.”

This is the motto of the singing lessons of Maya Kehren, jazz and pop singer from Kleve.

Maya studied jazz and pop at the ArtEZ conservatory in Arnhem and can regularly be found on stages in the Cologne area and in the Kleve district.

As a singer and as a singing teacher, she meets people where they are and invites you on a journey into the themes of singing, breathing, language and expression.

Singing and breathing techniques are taught in Maya’s classes as well as interpretation and stage presence.

You can hear and see Maya with various jazz, pop and soul formations. Among others:

Cologne Drum Armada

Little Planet Band

Sol Session Band (Sol Kultur Bar)

Scala Jazzband and Friends

2Close (Maya Kehren and Oliver Nepper)

MAYA

Superband 22

European Jazz Band

www.maya-music.net

Anima van Malssen

Beethoven already said: Playing a wrong note is unimportant, but playing without passion is unforgivable. I follow this principle both in my own music making and in teaching.

After studying art history, musicology and German literature in Munich, I completed a master's degree in classical violin in the Netherlands. As a violinist, I am primarily interested in classical music, across the entire spectrum of possible ensembles - from duo to symphony orchestra. But I also regularly venture into film and folk music.

When teaching, the age or ability of the student is secondary to me. What counts is the will to learn and the joy of making music. Whether you are a complete beginner for whom the attraction of sound is stronger than the deterrence of all technical difficulties, or whether you have been playing music for years and know that you are never too old to learn - my aim is to open each student's eyes to the finer points of playing the violin in accordance with their abilities. Because, as I myself discover every day, discovering all facets of playing the violin is a process that can always be continued, but never completed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NU4VHoc1Zs

Nathan Becker is known for his emotional and expressive guitar playing. What began with the blues at the age of twelve has grown into a broad musical palette where rock, funk, indie, psychedelic rock, jazz and even flamenco come together. Nathan earned his Bachelor of Music at the ArtEZ Conservatory in Arnhem, studying with legendary guitarist Jerôme Hol.

With bands such as the Nathan Becker Blues Band, Magic Bullet and Olaf & The Scenic Sound, he has played countless stages – from Paradiso, Melkweg, Doornroosje and AFAS Live to Rotown, Hedon and Patronaat. He has appeared at festivals like De Zwarte Cross and Mañana Mañana and shared the stage with jazz legend Hans Dulfer. A versatile guitarist with a raw sound and an untameable love of music – that is Nathan Becker.