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PARENT ZONE School Managers
The School Managers Biographies are below. They can be contacted by email or phone. Details are included.
Matt Haslett, Guitar School Manager
Having worked around the world as a guitarist for over twenty five years, Matt has extensive experience of work both in the studio and in live situations. Matt has worked as a guitar demonstrator for Fender, Squire Guitars, DOD & Digitech Effects. He has also been endorsed by Tokai Guitars, Dean Markley strings, Ampeg Amplification and Elite products.
Matt has also worked as a regular contributing columnist for Guitar Techniques and Total Guitar magazines in which he investigated the many aspects of modern guitar. With over a thousand live performances and fifteen years of professional teaching experience, Matt has a lot to offer ambitious musicians on our guitar courses; taking students from the basics to a full understanding of the application of contemporary guitar. His versatile and down-to-earth approach as a guitar Tutor provides a solid foundation for students on our guitar courses to fully exploit their potential.
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
tel: 01483 500876
Nik Preston, Bass School Manager
Nik is a freelance electric and double bass player. He won a Perrier Young Musician Award whilst studying at The Royal Academy and has gone on to perform and record for artists such as Imelda May, Julian Lloyd Webber, Fraser T Smith, Chad Jackson and John Blackwell whilst performing alongside members of Amy Winehouse’s band, Jamiroquai, Incognito, Level 42 and Jamie Cullum.
Nik is regularly featured on national T.V. and radio shows such as Parkinson, Clive Anderson, Loose Ends and Artsworld. He also recently played for the premiere and promo of the Hollywood blockbuster ‘Australia’ and has recently recorded for Chad Jackson’s 20th Anniversary version of ‘Hear The Drummer Get Wicked’. Nik has regularly recorded for Guitar Techniques publications alongside artists such as Guthrie Govan and Pete Callard. Nik is currently Head of the ACM Bass Department and the Performance degree programme.
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
tel: 01483 500836
Mike Sturgis, Drum School Manager
Recognised as one of the UK's most experienced and respected drum tutors and performers, Mike is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Music. His early works includes playing with the Concert Jazz Band, jazz artists Paquito D'Rivera, Randy Brecker and Bob Mintzer, and the band of legendary jazz keyboardist Bob James. His versatility as a player has enabled him to have performed on tours and recordings with international artists in the world of pop, rock and jazz, including Steve Winwood, 21 Guns, Psychomotel, A-Ha, Asia and Wishbone Ash. His playing was memorably heard worldwide on the theme song to the James Bond movie ‘The Living Daylights’ and 1997 remake of Lou Reed’s ‘Perfect Day’. Mike is a monthly columnist for Rhythm and endorses Yamaha drums and Zildjian cymbals.
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
tel: 01483 500873
Line Hilton, Vocal School Manager
Line has well over 10 years experience as a vocal tutor in the UK, USA and Australia and has a degree in Music Education and Jazz. Now based in London, her clients include professionals from the fields of gospel, R&B, jazz, metal, classical music, rock and pop, the West End stage and Indian classical music. Line is UK's highest certified ‘Speech Level Singing’ instructor (Level 4). This technique has helped major artists including Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, Josh Groban, Michael Jackson and many others. She has performed as a musician in jazz, classical, musical theatre and samba settings, both as a soloist and a choir member, and is currently working on her own album.
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
tel: 01483 500837
Antony Greaves, Music Production School Manager
Antony studied music technology at Kingston University and subsequently worked freelance as a Pro Tools engineer and music video editor. Antony then took up a position as technical engineer at Mayfair Recording Studios where he fast became a key component in the studio success, making important contacts with artists such as Travis, Supergrass, Coldplay and Robbie Williams. He then went on to complete the design and manufacture of Coldplay’s demo studio in a freelance capacity. As well as running the Production School, Antony also works as a freelance producer and engineer on a number of projects.
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
tel: 01483 500835
Helen Gammons, Music Business School Manager
Helen’s work has over a period of 25 years covered senior directorships of major international music companies; such as the Avex Group working as part of the Management team alongside Tatsumi Yoda (described by the Times as the equivalent of Richard Branson in Japan) driving the company to flotation in 1997 and since regularly holding the No 1 market position.
Helen's fields of expertise includes international licensing, artist development, publishing, film music supervision, synchronisation, contract negotiation and drafting. Having represented successful writers and producers Internationally (Grammy writer/producer Hawk Wolinski "Ain't NoBody" - Rufus and Chaka Khan), Helen has worked with all Major labels, Publishers and Media organisations in various capacities continually throughout her career. Helen is Financial Director of Planet Audio Group who was a nominated finalist in the Coutts Bank 'Family Business of the Year' 2008. Helen's book "The Art of Music Publishing" (an entrepreneurs guide) was released in Autumn 2009.
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
tel: 01483 500874
Ian Edwards, Tour Production and Management Programme Leader
Ian is a guitarist, writer and senior manager at ACM. Ian has worked with artists such as Bruce Foxton (The Jam), Jimmy Page, Brian May, Ace (Skunk Anansie), Stiff Little Fingers, Pulp, Reef, Steve Vai, Zodiac Mindwarp, Dave Stewart, Chesney Hawkes, etc.
Ian is lead author of the book 'Running a Band as a Business' and has also written extensively for magazines including: Guitarist, Total Guitar, Music Tech, Bassist and Italia Magazine. He has interviewed many rock legends including Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden and Napalm Death.
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
tel: 01483 500860
PARENT ZONE School Managers
School Managers
The School Managers are the people who maintain the overall functionality of their respective schools and the quality of the learning experience provided for all ACM students. Guitar, bass, drums, vocals, music production, music business, tour production & management, the part time school, the keyboard school and the songwriting school. The school managers are fundamental to the ACM learning experience, working closely alongside all the teams here at ACM.
The School Managers responsibilities include:
- The development and implementation of ACM’s education strategy across all full-time courses
- The commissioning and conceptualization of ACM curriculum and its continued development
- Working closely with the Education Administration and Student Relations teams to address student attendance, achievement, behaviour and retention
- Working closely with the Quality Assurance team in the preparation of assessment briefs and ensuring that subsequent examinations and marking are executed with fairness and consistency
- Working closely with the Admissions Team to process new applications and ascertain a prospective student’s suitability for an ACM full-time course
- Ensuring the quality, consistency and relevance of lectures delivered within their school
- Dealing directly with students and/or their parents with any problems encountered on their course
- Staffing the lectures within their department
- Arranging tutorials, pro workshops , guest lecturers and masterclasses for their school to support learning
- Attending exam boards to ensure students are receiving the correct award from our collaborative partners
- Attending board of studies meetings to hear the concerns of student representatives and respond accordingly
- Maintaining industry engagement
- Assisting in the development of new courses as relevant
- Lecturing within their department
The School Managers Biographies are below. They can be contacted by email or phone. Details are included.
Having worked around the world as a guitarist for over twenty five years, Matt has extensive experience of work both in the studio and in live situations. Matt has worked as a guitar demonstrator for Fender, Squire Guitars, DOD & Digitech Effects. He has also been endorsed by Tokai Guitars, Dean Markley strings, Ampeg Amplification and Elite products.
Matt has also worked as a regular contributing columnist for Guitar Techniques and Total Guitar magazines in which he investigated the many aspects of modern guitar. With over a thousand live performances and fifteen years of professional teaching experience, Matt has a lot to offer ambitious musicians on our guitar courses; taking students from the basics to a full understanding of the application of contemporary guitar. His versatile and down-to-earth approach as a guitar Tutor provides a solid foundation for students on our guitar courses to fully exploit their potential.
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
tel: 01483 500876
Nik is a freelance electric and double bass player. He won a Perrier Young Musician Award whilst studying at The Royal Academy and has gone on to perform and record for artists such as Imelda May, Julian Lloyd Webber, Fraser T Smith, Chad Jackson and John Blackwell whilst performing alongside members of Amy Winehouse’s band, Jamiroquai, Incognito, Level 42 and Jamie Cullum.
Nik is regularly featured on national T.V. and radio shows such as Parkinson, Clive Anderson, Loose Ends and Artsworld. He also recently played for the premiere and promo of the Hollywood blockbuster ‘Australia’ and has recently recorded for Chad Jackson’s 20th Anniversary version of ‘Hear The Drummer Get Wicked’. Nik has regularly recorded for Guitar Techniques publications alongside artists such as Guthrie Govan and Pete Callard. Nik is currently Head of the ACM Bass Department and the Performance degree programme.
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
tel: 01483 500836
Recognised as one of the UK's most experienced and respected drum tutors and performers, Mike is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Music. His early works includes playing with the Concert Jazz Band, jazz artists Paquito D'Rivera, Randy Brecker and Bob Mintzer, and the band of legendary jazz keyboardist Bob James. His versatility as a player has enabled him to have performed on tours and recordings with international artists in the world of pop, rock and jazz, including Steve Winwood, 21 Guns, Psychomotel, A-Ha, Asia and Wishbone Ash. His playing was memorably heard worldwide on the theme song to the James Bond movie ‘The Living Daylights’ and 1997 remake of Lou Reed’s ‘Perfect Day’. Mike is a monthly columnist for Rhythm and endorses Yamaha drums and Zildjian cymbals.
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
tel: 01483 500873
Line has well over 10 years experience as a vocal tutor in the UK, USA and Australia and has a degree in Music Education and Jazz. Now based in London, her clients include professionals from the fields of gospel, R&B, jazz, metal, classical music, rock and pop, the West End stage and Indian classical music. Line is UK's highest certified ‘Speech Level Singing’ instructor (Level 4). This technique has helped major artists including Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, Josh Groban, Michael Jackson and many others. She has performed as a musician in jazz, classical, musical theatre and samba settings, both as a soloist and a choir member, and is currently working on her own album.
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
tel: 01483 500837
Antony studied music technology at Kingston University and subsequently worked freelance as a Pro Tools engineer and music video editor. Antony then took up a position as technical engineer at Mayfair Recording Studios where he fast became a key component in the studio success, making important contacts with artists such as Travis, Supergrass, Coldplay and Robbie Williams. He then went on to complete the design and manufacture of Coldplay’s demo studio in a freelance capacity. As well as running the Production School, Antony also works as a freelance producer and engineer on a number of projects.
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
tel: 01483 500835
Helen’s work has over a period of 25 years covered senior directorships of major international music companies; such as the Avex Group working as part of the Management team alongside Tatsumi Yoda (described by the Times as the equivalent of Richard Branson in Japan) driving the company to flotation in 1997 and since regularly holding the No 1 market position.
Helen's fields of expertise includes international licensing, artist development, publishing, film music supervision, synchronisation, contract negotiation and drafting. Having represented successful writers and producers Internationally (Grammy writer/producer Hawk Wolinski "Ain't NoBody" - Rufus and Chaka Khan), Helen has worked with all Major labels, Publishers and Media organisations in various capacities continually throughout her career. Helen is Financial Director of Planet Audio Group who was a nominated finalist in the Coutts Bank 'Family Business of the Year' 2008. Helen's book "The Art of Music Publishing" (an entrepreneurs guide) was released in Autumn 2009.
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
tel: 01483 500874
Ian is a guitarist, writer and senior manager at ACM. Ian has worked with artists such as Bruce Foxton (The Jam), Jimmy Page, Brian May, Ace (Skunk Anansie), Stiff Little Fingers, Pulp, Reef, Steve Vai, Zodiac Mindwarp, Dave Stewart, Chesney Hawkes, etc.
Ian is lead author of the book 'Running a Band as a Business' and has also written extensively for magazines including: Guitarist, Total Guitar, Music Tech, Bassist and Italia Magazine. He has interviewed many rock legends including Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden and Napalm Death.
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
tel: 01483 500860
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