Kari Paavola has been teaching drums professionally for 25 years in London and has also lectured about professional music making in top European universities. On top of his educational activities, Kari is an active performer playing 100–150 concerts annually as a freelance drummer. Kari has a strong method to get kids, teenagers, and adults started on the instrument. Kari also knows how to teach future professionals, and he was a teacher at the respected London Centre for Contemporary Music (LCCM) 2002–2008 before moving to Europe for a few years. Currently Kari teaches privately, at Ark Academy high school as well as at Park High School.
As a performer Kari has played all around the world and maintains a busy schedule in London. Kari has worked with: Enrique Iglesias, Womack and Womack, Imaani, Vanessa Haynes, British Blues Awards winner Julian Burdock, Xantone Blacq, The Wedding Present, Brandon Allen and many others in all styles from jazz to funk, soul and pop.