+++ I have now relocated to Orkney (April ’24) and will be teaching from the Orkney Music Rooms. Online lessons may be available on Zoom for existing pupils however, and limited home visits are avaiable, please just ask +++

I am an experienced guitar tutor and musician and have been teaching and playing in bands in and around Aberdeen since the 90’s.

Since 2012 I have been visiting guitar tutor at the University of Aberdeen, and taught for 7 years for the Aberdeen City Music Service. Prior to that, I owned and managed Sound Ideas, a busy music tuition studio in the centre of Aberdeen. In 2024 I relocated to Orkney, and will be continuing to offer tuition there.

Musical Qualifications:

I am a qualified and registered guitar tutor holding a BA (Hons) in Performance Industries from the University of Wolverhampton, FLCM (Fellowship Diploma, London College of Music in Jazz Guitar), ALCM (Associate Diploma, London College of Music), Graduate Diploma in Jazz from St Andrews University and the Advanced Diploma from St Andrews University. I also have a certificate in Jazz Improvisation fom Berklee School of Music, USA.

I am registered with The Registry Of Guitar Tutors and have full enhanced disclosure.

Additionally I am a Google Certified Trainer, and also a certified Apple Teacher, completing a course and assessment on the use of Apple equipment and associated software and apps.

Playing experience:

My wide-ranging band experiences have included: Los Acousticos Bandidos SUS4 Quartet The Aberdeen Jazz Orchestra, The Struttin’ Futrets, AKA SKA, The Aristocats, The Stuntdogs, Something Borrowed, KGB,  and various other music acts, as well as performing solo in numerous venues and restaurants. Some of my recorded studio work can be heard on CDs by Mary May and Morag McCall. I also regularly perform in the band pit in local musical theatre productions.

Other notable performances and workshops have included performing at The Edinburgh Festival & Fringe, Aberdeen Jazz Festival, Callander Jazz Festival, Garioch Jazz Festival, St Andrews Society of Beijing, as well as leading workshops in guitar at The University of Aberdeen, Harlaw Academy, leading traditional music workshops for SCAT and hosting jazz workshops for local arts organisations.

In 2013 I was asked to play in the Jazz En Tete festival in Clermand Ferrand, France with my jazz quartet as part of an Aberdeen City Council twin city venture, and in 2016 I played in the Bayerisches Jazz festival at the invitation of the Musikacademie Alteglofsheim.

My aim is to enable my pupils to get enjoyment from playing guitar, whatever level they are at, or aspire to be at.

Every pupil is different and I structure lessons to suit the needs and aspirations of each individual. Some learners respond to a structured academic approach while others thrive on a more informal approach, but both should be about enjoying and understanding music through playing guitar.