Our Team
Theo Kosmopoulos
Director/MUSIC PRODUCTION
Theo Kosmopoulos (Theo Komp), was born in Patra, Greece. He grew up in a family where music was a highly appreciated part of life and was exposed to many talented musicians. Over the years, and during his BA studies, he experimented with different aspects of music; song writing, production, recording, sound design, mixing and mastering. He started producing music in 2006 and it was then, when he enrolled in Berklee College of Music, that he began his professional career in audio. Obtaining two certificates with excellent grades (Specialist Certificate in Producing Music with Ableton Live and Professional Cert. in Studio Production), he has played sets in over 10 countries from Europe to Asia, released multiple electronic albums and EPs through various labels, and educated countless pupils in DJ’ing and music production. Theo is the Founder and Lead Educator of Black Tulip Academy and the Owner & Founder of Minimal Force Records.
emilio robertson
Head of curriculum/MUSIC performance
Emilio Robertson (MA), was born in Cambridgeshire, England. A life-long musician, he began studying classical guitar in primary school under the encouragement of a musically diverse upbringing. He began gaining live experience in local venues and clubs throughout his teenage years, filling various roles and instruments in both bands and the behind the scenes management of live music events. In 2015, he moved to Brighton to obtain his BA in Music Production (hons, British & Irish Institute of Modern Music) and continue songwriting and performing. In this time he managed sound for live events and studio recording projects for Sadlamp Records. He later relocated to London in 2021, where he completed an MA (as alumni) in Learning & Teaching In Creative Industries and began teaching guitar privately alongside drums, bass and keyboards in mainstream schools. Today, he teaches at Black Tulip Academy, where he works as a tutor and head of curriculum. Emilio is currently signed to OMYAC records (Stephen Carpenter) and manages the live sound for several different venues across London.
NATALIE MCCOOL
SONGWRITING AND VOCALS/online tutor
Natalie McCool is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist whose music has been widely recognised, earning playlist spots on BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, and BBC Radio 2 playlists. Her work has also been featured in prestigious media such as The Sunday Times and Wonderland Magazine. Natalie has performed at numerous international shows and festivals, including the industry-leading SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, the Hamamatsu World Festival in Japan, and notable UK festivals such as Kendal Calling, Latitude, and Festival No. 6. She has had the honour of supporting major artists like Aurora, Joan Armatrading, and Boy George. Her recent album Memory Girl was co-written with Dan Haggis of The Wombats, with whom she also toured in support of their album Fix Yourself, Not the World. A passionate collaborator, Natalie has written for various artists and projects, including trailer music for for the likes of Sky Atlantic and Channel 4, as well as tracks for the prominent UK electronic label Anjunabeats.
felipe lopez
VISUAL & GRAPHIC DESIGN TUTOR
Born in 1999 in Colombia, Felipe Lopez Mantilla has always been passionate about the intersection of creativity and technology. From a young age, Felipe was an avid gamer, with Skyrim and Super Mario Galaxy being his favorite games growing up. His love for digital experiences naturally led him to pursue Interactive Design at the University of Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano, where he later worked as a Teaching Assistant. He further deepened his expertise by obtaining a Postgraduate Degree in Strategic Innovation Management from the Pontifical Xavierian University.
Currently enrolled in an MSc in Data Science and AI for Creative Industries at the University of the Arts London (UAL), Felipe combines his technical and design skills to deliver innovative solutions across multiple industries. Over the past four years, his work has ranged from designing interactive books for children and teens, developing online academies and courses, to collaborating with major U.S. companies like Hendrick Automotive. He has also contributed to UX/UI design and branding for various startups.
nikKo ZAFIRIADIS
mixing and mastering/online tutor
Nikko Zafiriadis (Nikko.Z), born in 1985 in Greece, has been deeply passionate about music from a young age. Influenced by legendary bands such as Pink Floyd and The Doors, he found his musical inspiration early on, shaping his musical journey starting at the age of 14. As he grew older, Nikko's exploration of electronic music and DJing evolved into a profound passion. In 2006, Nikko studied electronic music production at the SAE International Institute in Athens. Over the past fifteen years, his work has been recognised and released by over 20 different labels worldwide. Additionally, he has showcased his DJ sets on renowned internet radio stations and performed in clubs across Europe, South America, and the USA. Since 2012, Nikko has successfully managed the record label Dopamine and its sub-label Dopamine White, releasing over 100 tracks from artists worldwide whilst running the professional mixing and mastering studio Symmetric Audio. In the past five years, Nikko.Z has dedicated himself to sharing his extensive knowledge of music production. He has been delivering courses at esteemed institutions, including the Tsitsanis Museum, nurturing the next generation of electronic music producers.