Alumni type: Guitar

Joel Peat is an accomplished guitarist based in Nottingham and London. He was awarded ‘Outstanding Guitarist of the Year’ at the Academy of Contemporary Music. Joel spent seven years touring with the band Lawson before venturing into a career as a Session Guitarist and Musical Director. He has performed with notable artists like Robbie Williams, B.O.B, Ronan Keating, and more. With Lawson, Joel recorded two studio albums and worked in prestigious studios such as Blackbird Studios and Henson Studios with Grammy award-winning producers. Joel’s versatility shines through his confident vocals and guitar skills, making him a valuable addition to any musical project.

Sam Musgrove is a highly skilled guitar technician within the music industry, responsible for stringing, tuning, and adjusting guitars, as well as maintaining amplifiers and related electronic equipment.

His career highlights include performing on the Glastonbury 2023 Pyramid Stage with Texas, serving as Chris Shiflett’s UK Guitar Tech, and working closely with artists like Kate Nash and ASH. Sam cherishes the privilege of traveling the world, discussing musical visions and playing famous guitars responsible for multi-million-selling records.

Currently, he works with renowned musicians such as Chris Shiflett (Foo Fighters), Kate Nash, ASH, Bat for Lashes, and Texas.

Drew Lowe is a multi-talented professional musician, excelling as a guitarist, producer, and songwriter.

His career has been punctuated by remarkable achievements, including electrifying performances at prestigious venues like Wembley Arena, Download Festival Mainstage, Hellfest Mainstage, and Hammersmith Apollo. Drew’s musical journey has seen him supporting renowned acts such as Steel Panther, and he boasts an impressive resume with credits in productions like “We Will Rock You” at the Dominion Theatre in London, Rock of Ages UK/International Tour, collaborations with Inglorious and Marco Mendoza, and his current engagement with Boy George and Culture Club. For the past nine years, Drew has consistently been a dependable session musician, contributing his talents to the UK’s top Bon Jovi tribute band, BONGIOVI, gracing some of the most iconic stages worldwide. Presently, Drew is immersed in his own project, ‘JUST A RIDE,’ whose debut album has recently hit the airwaves, while simultaneously serving as a sought-after hired gun for various artists.

Ben Ash is a highly acclaimed guitarist known for his contributions to the influential Grindcore/Death Metal band Carcass. Ben’s powerful and intricate guitar playing has left a lasting impact on the metal music scene right up until he parted ways with Carcass back in 2018. In 2019, Ben played live session guitar for Norwegian Grammy-award winning black metal band Satyricon, as main support for Slayer on their ‘farewell’ tour and playing the 25th anniversary ‘Rebel Extravaganza’ show in Norway.

Lawrie Pattison is mostly known as one of the founding members of a punk rock band called Miss Vincent Their blend of punk, pop, and rock influences has garnered them a devoted fanbase. They have released a string of successful EPs and singles and more recently their debut album, including tracks such as “Doctors & Churchs” and “The Lovers”. Their music has amassed impressive streaming statistics, captivating audiences worldwide.

Francois Fanaso, London-based guitarist for Emeli Sande, Jacob Banks and Musical Director for Pixie Lott. He rose to prominence very quickly after graduating from the Academy of Contemporary Music , landing session work with A-list musicians on mnay big stage festival runs such as The Radio 1 Big Weekend.

Newton Faulkner is a renowned British singer-songwriter celebrated for his distinctive style and remarkable guitar skills. With his signature dreadlocked hair and soulful voice, Newton has captivated audiences with his heartfelt lyrics and intricate acoustic arrangements. His breakthrough single, “Dream Catch Me,” propelled him into the spotlight, and he has continued to release successful albums filled with his unique blend of folk, pop, and rock. Newton Faulkner’s unwavering dedication to his craft and his ability to connect with listeners through his music have solidified his position as a respected and beloved artist in the music industry. Newton’s debut double platinum selling album ‘Hand Built By Robots’ reached the top of the charts and became one of the Top 20 selling albums of 2007. He was nominated for Best British Male Solo Artist at the Brits and has become one of the most talked about and accomplished live performers on the circuit today. Now with seven studio albums and over 15 years experience under his belt Newton Faulkner is now launching his own guitar academy.

BMus Professional Music Performance 2010-2012

ACM Guitar Degree graduate Carmen Vandenberg has achieved remarkable success in the music industry. She has performed on prestigious stages alongside renowned UK pop acts and secured a contract with a major industry figure. Carmen’s journey began with a significant breakthrough when pop star Kate Nash approached ACM to form a band for an upcoming tour. Carmen auditioned alongside numerous ACM students and was chosen as one of three girls by Kate and her manager. Concurrently, Carmen also served as the session guitarist for X-Factor finalist Cher Lloyd while pursuing her accelerated degree at ACM. More recently, Carmen has gained recognition as the guitarist for Jeff Beck and the Grammy-nominated duo “Bones UK,” who have toured with notable acts like Korn and Smashing Pumpkins. Additionally, Carmen has collaborated with Blackstar Amps and released her signature amplifier, the “Blackstar CV30.

With extensive touring experience alongside renowned artists like The Backstreet Boys, Ed Sheeran, and Busted, Nick has proven himself as a versatile and accomplished musician. Beyond live performances, he showcases his talent as a songwriter and producer, collaborating with artists such as AlunaGeorge, Modestep, and Jess Glynne. Notably, his co-writing contribution to Jess Glynne’s single ‘Take Me Home’ achieved immense success, selling over 1,200,000 copies and amassing 250 million streams. With expertise in guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals, music production, and songwriting, Nick’s versatility and creative approach shine through in his work. Recognized with awards and instrumental in artists achieving over a billion streams, Nick Tsang continues to make waves in the music industry.

Emma Stevens has achieved remarkable accolades throughout her career. Her music has received widespread recognition, with over three million Spotify plays and over a million video views. She has released seven EPs and three albums, with four consecutive singles playlisted by BBC Radio 2. Emma’s talent has led her to perform at prestigious festivals like Hyde Park, CarFest, and Country2Country. She has embarked on seven tours, including three headline tours, and has supported renowned artists such as Simply Red, Wet Wet Wet, The Feeling, Passenger, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and Train.

Her music has garnered critical acclaim, with the late Sir Terry Wogan describing her as “Just Magical.” Emma has also been embraced by the BBC Introducing initiative, performing to a crowd of 40,000 at the BBC’s Festival in a Day at Hyde Park.