Professionals who are out in the real-world industry at the highest levels.
Learn from the masters. In our unique educational environment, students are taught by the very best music industry professionals who are out there, doing it for real, pushing creative boundaries.
ACM’s tutors are leaders in their chosen field, whether that be performance, songwriting, production or music business. They possess formidable resumés, as we hope you enjoy reading about, below.Whether you are hoping to one day make the hits or manage people who do, ACM’s world-class teaching faculty will be on hand to help.
After all, your music industry dreams are their career.
Tony Briscoe
Tony Briscoe is a highly accomplished professional in the music industry with a proven track record of success. He is an expert music producer and composer, having worked on chart-topping songs with several renowned artists. Tony’s portfolio boasts a range of UK chart successes with artists such as Craig David, Beverley Knight, and the Artful Dodgers. He has also worked on several critically acclaimed projects, including composing music for David Attenborough’s wildlife TV series “Life in Cold Blood (Under The Skin).”
In addition to his music industry accomplishments, Tony is also an accomplished tech entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of One In A Billion Applications, that specialises in creating unique and innovative solutions for music professionals.
Tony’s expertise in the field of music technology has been honed over several years of teaching music and game technology-related courses in various institutions across the UK. He holds a Ph.D. in Sound & Vibrations, and his research has contributed significantly to the field.
Tony’s passion for music and technology has also led him to teach a range of Music and Game technology-related courses throughout the UK, where he shares his knowledge and expertise with aspiring producers and developers. He is the Module leader for Game Audio ACM and a Wwise Certified Instructor, providing students with the skills they need to succeed in the industry.
Abel Quintana
Abel Quintana started working in music 10 years ago in Cadiz, Spain. After finishing his diploma in Live Sound and Radio he started working as a live sound engineer and recording live bands when he decided to come to the UK and continue his studies at ACM in 2013. In 2016 Abel started working with Mike and the Mechanics at the legendary studio of the band Genesis, The Farm, where he assisted in the production of the Album ‘Let Me Fly’. He also recorded at Metropolis (The Llamas), Air Studios (Kyko) and Abbey Road Institute (Lost in Venice) and other studios such as Big Smoke Studios and Burghfield Studios. Abel also collaborated with Eagle 3 Radio in Surrey, recording live performances of artists such as: Mystery Jets, The Drifters, Lauren Aquilina, BB Diamond, Secret Company among others. During these years Abel developed professional skills in studio, recording, mixing, mastering and producing for other bands and artists. After graduating from ACM (BA Hons Contemporary Music Production) he studied a Masters (MMus Creative Practice and Composition) at the University of Surrey where he studied orchestration and alternative ways of performing and teaching music. Since then he composed several pieces for production companies in Mexico and Spain and collaborated with other musicians and companies. Simultaneously with his Masters he started experimenting with video game engines such as Unreal Engine creating virtual spaces where the listener could experience music in 3D while walking inside the instrument. Currently he is developing his own production brand, Tsobu, which englobes electronic pop and indie music with touches of experimental and cinematic music and collaborates with other music projects.
Career credits
Mike & The Mechanics, Abbey Road Institute, Air Studios, Metropolis Studios, Big Smoke
AC
AC is an MC from the UK living in London. He won Best Breakthrough MC at the 2018 Drum & Bass Awards.
He sold over 50,000 copies of his cds on the streets of the UK as part of the burgeoning DIY movement of the 2000s. He had top 10 videos on MTV Base, Channel U/Aka, B4U, Zee Music and Britasia. He has had his songs played on 1Xtra, BBC Radio 1, Kiss FM, Choice FM and has had top 10s on BBC Asian Network chart. He has done a BBC Maida Vale live session and has toured Belgium, France, Norway, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Spain, Andora, Holland and as far as India.
In the Drum n Bass scene he has hosted for the likes of: Brockie, Andy C, Logan D, Ego Trippin, SS, Mickey Finn, Grooverider, Fabio, Mampi Swift, Nicky Blackmarket, Kenny Ken, Twisted Individual, Friction, J Majik, Peshay, Shy Fx, Jayline, Hedex, DJ Dominator (RIP), Jaydan, Heist, Pleasure, Dillinja, Jumping Jack Frost, Profile and many more.You can catch him regularly at big Drum n Bass brands such as Innovation, Breakin Science, Random Concept, Raveology, Next Hype, Pure Science etc. He has hosted radio shows on the BBC, Rough Tempo, Origin UK, Kool London and has his new digital radio show on THC Radio London on alternate Tuesdays (9.30pm till 10.30pm). He has performed at numerous festivals including Glastonbury, One Dance, Respect, Dour, Notting Hill Carnival.
Outside the Drum n Bass scene he has performed on the same bill as artists like Wutang Clan, Capone and Noreaga, Common, Sway, Jay Sean, Juggy D, Chip, Kano, N-Dubz, Klashnekoff, Panjabi MC, Neyo, Marques Houston and more.
In 2012 he performed in the modern opera Pop’pea in the Theatre du Chatelet, Paris, with Carl Barat of the Libertines and Marc Almond of Soft Cell.
AC has also worked in the visual arts, on animated series for Cartoon Network and Channel 4, and has directed and edited music videos for himself and numerous artists.
AC has his own clothing brand, Ace’s High, promoting self-reliance and positive mental attitude.
Alex Phillips
Alex’s professional experience includes a touring schedule across Europe and as far afield as China, performing alongside artists including Bernie Marsden of ‘White Snake’.
Alex has played on several chart-topping albums and related television appearances including The Graham Norton Show on BBC, STV and UTV.
Working in both live and recording capacity, Alex has extensive industry experience and enjoys supporting students in the early stages of their musical career.
Aly Duff
Aly is a performance specialist and one of our many experienced, longstanding tutors at ACM. Her professional and teaching experience spans 30 years and covers a vast range of performances, which include dance/choreography, actress and singer.
She has performed worldwide at venues and shows, working with various production companies within artist development. This diverse range of work gives Aly an insight and understanding of the skills and techniques required to train and succeed as a performer in today’s highly competitive performance-based industry.
She has been instrumental in developing new projects for ACM including Pop Academy. As well as performing with her own original band and ‘Madonna’ tribute work, Aly has also supported the likes of ‘Teenage Dirtbags’ – Wheatus and has had the joy of performing alongside RHCP Drummer Chad Smith.
Arran McSporran
Arran has been a professional electric bass player and teacher since finishing his studies at ACM in 2007. He has toured nationally and internationally, playing in over 28 countries including many large international festivals. Known for his innovative plucking and legato technique, Arran has contributed educational articles to popular bass website bassplayersunited.com, has been interviewed for the UK’s Bass Guitar Magazine and bassmusicianmagazine.com and has taken lessons with Jeff Berlin.
A very versatile player, Arran has played in every genre from acoustic songwriters to jazz to metal and also in orchestras for musical theatre. Primarily touring in the metal scene, Arran has supported many of the biggest names in death and black metal with bands De Profundis and Virvum.
Arran has recorded on over 15 albums, with artists that he has worked with live and in the studio including De Profundis, Seven7 (with Nicolas Meier), Virvum, Mark Lettieri (Snarky Puppy), Justin Stanton (Snarky Puppy), Jonathan Hoard, Brad Allen Williams, Scarab An Endless Cycle and Sergey Boykov.
Arran is endorsed by Rotosound Strings and Ibanez Basses and is one of the few bass players using a fretless bass in metal, for which he was voted one of the top bassists of 2014 in a Zero Tolerance Magazine poll.
Ashwin Seegobin
Ashwin Seegobin A.K.A “Smash” is a record producer/songwriter and audio engineer from London of Trinidadian heritage. Having spent many years perfecting his craft on the twin island of Trinidad & Tobago, Smash takes Caribbean rhythms from Dancehall and Soca and fuses with mainstream music from RnB, Hip Hop and EDM.
He has worked with the likes of Busy Signal, Konshens, Charly Black, Beenie Man, Popcaan, T.O.K, Bunji Garlin, Machel Montano, Trinidad James and Krishane son of the Reggae legend Barrington Levy to name a few.
In addition to his skills within production and audio engineering, Smash also holds a Bachelors Degree in animation which allows him to do variety of visual art, from motion graphics, album art, lyric and animated music videos for many of the projects he is involved in.
He regularly travels back and forth to the Caribbean to keep his sound fresh and up to the time.
Smash’s area of focus is predominantly production, audio engineering, illustration, motion graphics and animation.
Justin Lyndley
Justin started working in recording studios in the early 90’s, and has worked on a huge number of recordings as Producer, Engineer, Mixer, Re-mixer, Mastering Engineer, and Musician.
He has released records as an Artist on Wall of Sound Records, toured extensively, DJ’d, worked as a Sound Supervisor at SKY and RT, trained as a therapist at Humaniversity in Holland and has a degree in Fine Art (Sculpture).
With extensive experience in Higher Education, Justin has taught and developed curriculum for Music Production degree programmes, has a postgraduate qualification in HE Teaching and Learning (PG cert HE) and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).
Career credits
Elvis Costello, Klaxons, Bloc Party, King Krule, Shame, Mystery Jets, Jack Penate, INXS, James, Lily Allen, Jocelyn Brown, Tricky, Silvah Bullet, Amon Tobin, and many more, along with a variety Jazz and Classical Artists and Composers.
Becky Morton
Becky is a highly versatile and dedicated singer, vocal coach and musical director She has been a professional in the industry for over fifteen years.
Artists she has worked with include Alexander O’Neil, Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden), James Toseland (Toseland), Crispian Mills (Kula Shaker, The Jeevas), Imogen Heap, Shae Seger, Cosmic Rough Riders, Mattafix and top selling Japanese artist Hitomi Yaida (Yaiko). She is a regular session singer and top line melody writer for various dance labels including EMI and Ministry of Sound.
Becky has been teaching at ACM since 2002 and also works closely with STAC Theatre Company musically directing shows such as Sweeny Todd, Rent, Evita, Spring Awakening and the southern premier of Wild Party.
Ben Scott
Whether it’s laying down the drums on Ed Sheeran’s multi-platinum selling album ‘+’, co-writing the lead single for American singer Alex Winston’s debut album, recording as in-house multi-instrumentalist with award-winning producer Charlie Hugall, or touring the world with exciting new artists, Ben approaches all work with huge optimism and energy.
His interests span beyond the drum set to his work as a musical director, where he can be found piecing together shows or buried in a laptop in any number of London’s top rehearsal studios – utilising cutting edge technology used by modern electronic pop artists.
Ben also does song writing, music production and composition.
Bob Earland
Bob Earland is an engineer, producer and musician with over 15 years experience in the music industry working between several studios and with credits including albums by Roots Manuva, Wiley, Kate Tempest, and Speech Debelle, as well as live performances with Clor, Jacknife Lee and his own projects.
In 2013 he became involved with the Radiophonic Workshop providing technical support and playing percussion for their live shows. This has included working with Dick Mills in collaboration with the band Stealing Sheep to compose a new soundtrack and FX for the film ‘La Planète Sauvage’ and perform it as part of the Brancharge festival in Jersey.
After a string of live modular synth sets Bob has completed a solo album ‘33:33:333‘ created using analogue, digital, and granular synthesis, found sound and tape manipulation techniques. Many of the sounds were created using his self made synthesisers and FX.
Carla Willis-Brown
Miss C Brown is a creative international DJ/VJ.
An insider of the music industry for over 15 years, she has curated international showcases at some of the world’s biggest festivals, had sponsorships from organisations such as PRS Foundation, British Underground and Arts Council, and provided countless opportunities for artists, producers and DJ’s involved in the UK Hip Hop and Grime scene.
An entrepreneur, she is the founder of Tapes, a music tech company that provides a platform for artists and industry professionals to discover new music, distribute and network. She has successfully raised Tapes’ first round of investment as well as the production of an exclusive Tapes album featuring collaborators from the UK and the US.
Damien Nolan
Damien brings to ACM his wealth of experience as a sessional guitarist.
Damien has performed at venues and events including Wembley Stadium, Royal Albert Hall, Radio 1 Live Lounge, The X Factor finals UK, The Houses of Parliament and Glastonbury Festival. Damien now composes and produces for various media platforms, runs an online guitar session business and a events company.
Career credits
Pete Townshend, Sting, Katie Melua, VV Brown, Skunk Anansie, Jacob Banks, Lianne La Havas, Matrix and Futurebound and Sandy Rivera.
Danny Mullowney
Danny Mullowney has visited over 120 countries, recording, touring and performing with artists such as The Definitive Rat Pack, Michael Fienstien, and Wayne Newton. He has an award-winning style book published by Alfred Music.
He has written various articles for ‘Modern Drummer Magazine’, ‘Rhythm Magazine’, and has made appearances in ‘Drum! Magazine’, and on ‘The Drum Channel’.
Danny comes from Newfoundland, Canada, and graduated from Concordia University, specialising in jazz studies.
Career credits
Universal Records, Michael Fienstien, Wayne Newton, Marvin Hamlisch, Judy Carmichael, Chita Rivera, Jack Jones, Debbie Reynolds, Carol Channing, Clint Holmes, The Osmonds and Tommy Tune
Danny Thompson
Funkadelic/Miles Davis/Hans Zimmer – Bassist, Guitar, Keys, Composer, Vocalist, Director,
Author. An artist since day one. Played every gig from local pub to stadium. Music Teacher
for twenty plus years.
Award winning filmmaker – Writer/Director/Composer with Channel 4/BFI/BBCTV.
Black History Teacher – Book Author/Director of Educational Dvds/Online Black History
Presentations. Currently studying Masters Degree in ‘African History & History of the African
Diaspora’
Dr. Tom Williams
Dr. Tom Williams is a jazz guitarist, lecturer and musicologist specialising in performance, improvisation, cognition, jazz and pedagogy.
Tom has taught at a number of leading institutions in The UK and given lectures around the world, on various topics related to his research areas. Tom’s research areas are wide however some aspects include guitar, improvisation, women in music, musical analysis, jazz histories and practice, film music, and nostalgia in music.
His doctoral research provided a detailed cognitive and contextual model of how expert level improvisers develop and use their craft. Tom has performed across the UK and internationally as performer and specialises in jazz music specifically, although has a wealth of performative experience in all kinds of settings and genres. Tom is a senior lecturer and subject specialist at the Academy of Contemporary Music.
Elise Plans
Elise is an accomplished musician and scholar specializing in adaptive music. With a Master’s degree in Electroacoustic Composition and a PhD in Music, Elise has made significant contributions to the field of music technology. Before rejoining academia, she enjoyed a successful career in broadcasting as a technician/engineer, providing valuable experience and perspective to their current work.
Elise has taught in higher education since 2012 and holds an Associate Fellowship with Advance HE. Her research focuses on adaptive music and how it can be used in apps, installations, and video games to create immersive and engaging experiences. Her work has garnered attention from the sonic arts community, including commissions and funding from Sound and Music through the Sonic Arts Network and the Francis Chagrin Award.
Evan Rogers
Evan pursued his career in London, as an electric and double bassist and found himself depping in West End pits for shows such as Pippin, Cabaret and Fiddler on the Roof. He assisted in arrangements for various ensembles and composing library music.
Evan then made the transition from a performing career to a composing one, writing music for various trailers and ad campaigns, including How To Train Your Dragon 2, Battlefield One, Witcher 3 and Westfield. Finding his feet in the world of video game music, Evan worked on more than 50 games including the Warhammer 40k franchise where he was audio lead and composer.
As an orchestrator and conductor, Evan works at Air Studios as part of a team orchestrating for films and television series such as House of Cards and Game of Thrones.
Gary Bromham
Gary began his production/writing career in Iceland of all places! During his time spent working in Iceland he co-produced the Eurovision entry (nil points I hear you say!), made an album with jazz-funk band Mezzoforte and worked with the now in-famous artist, Bjork.
Whilst working with Andrew Ridgeley on his solo album Gary was also fortunate enough to work with George Michael on some of the album, which was understandably very inspirational. Though not hugely successful in commercial terms, the recording of this album did teach him a great deal in respect of the calibre of session musicians he was working with and the type of studio he was able to record in.
As a result of Gary writing with Andrew Ridgeley he was offered his first publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music in 1990. This proved to be a great success. Gary wrote with many varied and successful artists and songwriters including Sheryl Crow, Bow Wow Wow, The Tubes’ Fee Waybill, Robbie Neville, Eddie Money and The Fixx to name but a few, spending a large period of his time in New York, Nashville and Los Angeles.
In 1995, after a great deal of hard work, and with the help of a manager Gary signed a major record deal with EMI with his band “The Big Blue”. They released two singles and achieved moderate success with the band.
Following the demise of the band Gary returned to songwriting and production, signing a new publishing deal with Reverb Music. He has had hits with Lonyo’s “Summer of Love” and with Dannii Minogue on the song “Who do you love now” He also returned to working with Sheryl Crowe, mixing the single “Soak up the Sun”.
More recently he has collaborated with top songwriter Pam Sheyne on different writing/production projects including Sony sensation Delta Goodrem, Lulu and Tina Arena.
Most recently Gary has finished producing the debut album for Icelandic pop band, Nylon; written and produced songs on an album for new artist, Scarlette and produced 3 songs for a successful EMI covers compilation album, Roadtrip. Along with recent engineering sessions with Graham Coxon from Blur, Editors and The Maccabees Gary also continues to pursue his own band project, Atom. The debut album,Safe Orbit, available on iTunes.
Gary is well versed in most popular DAW’s including Avid Protools, Propellerheads Reason and Apple Logic Pro. As well as being part of the development team he has also made tutorial videos and written articles for Propellerhead Software. He is also a frequent guest lecturer and external advisor at several universities in the UK and Norway; speaking on songwriting, production and mixing and bringing some of his extensive knowledge and experience to both Undergraduate and Masters degree students.
Gary is also a PhD student at Queen Mary University London.
Career credits
Nine Below Zero, Maccabees, SVK, Gravity Pulls, Scarlette, U2, Editors, Nylon, Jennifer Rush, Jack Penate, Delta Goodrem, Lulu, Sheryl Crow, Stella Soleil, Tina Arena, Lonyo, Nightcrawlers, The Big Blue, Rupert Everett, Bow Wow Wow, Eddie Money, Robbie Neville, The Tubes, George Michael, Andrew Ridgeley, Mezzoforte, Bjork, Tears For Fears, Go West.
Giorgio Serci
Giorgio is an award winning guitarist, composer and arranger.
His ability to perform in different styles, from Jazz, Pop to Classical music, makes him one of most in demand guitarist in the international, performing with the likes of David Garrett, Basia, Martin Taylor, Sylvain Luc, Julian Lloyd Webber, BBC Concert Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Neue Philharmonie Frankfurt, Shirley Bassey, Jools Holland and Dr John, to name but a few.
Co-founder of Bansangu Orchestra with saxophonist Paul Booth, with a highly acclaimed CD and headlining major international festivals. His music has been performed and recorded by Basia (‘Matteo’ was n.4 on Billboard), Kenny Wheeler, Antonio Forcione, Paolo Fresu, Keld String Ensemble, CBSO and has 6 CDs to his credit.
Columnist for Guitar Interactive Magazine and an endorser for Yamaha and Fibonacci Archtops with an imminent release of his signature model, Acus and DV Mark amplifiers.
Career credits
David Garrett, Basia, TM Stevens, Harvie S, Andy Sheppard, Martin Taylor, Julian Lloyd Webber, Nawal Zoughby, BBC Concert Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Neue Philharmonie Frankfurt, Shirley Bassey, Jools Holland and Dr John.
Graham Dowdall
Graham started his musical life as a boy soprano then when his voice broke, a drummer, primarily self taught. After working as a community lawyer for several years in 1980 he started to play professionally in Manchester with cult band Ludus, following which he played and composed with Velvet Underground legend Nico for 7 years. WIth Nico and other collaborations he has toured the world many times and performed in every possible context. He has worked in theatre, dance and performed on a huge number of commercial releases, in latter times using electronics as his man instrument. In the early 90s following Nico’s death, as well as continuing his performing career, he decided he wanted to give something back to his community through music so went to Goldsmiths to study Music Workshop Skills. Since then he has had a 25 year practice as a Community Musician working with a huge range of groups from children with disabilities, through offenders and elders. He has become one of the countries leading CM trainers and specialists advising and working with many Music Hubs and other organisations. Driven by the power of Music to effect change in people and communities, he now leads all CM programmes at Goldsmiths, Uni. of London and joined ACM in 2019 to deliver Music in Community module. Still performing his solo electronica as Gagarin, he is also a member of avant rock legends Pere Ubu. His latest Gagarin album The Great North Wood has been featured on BBC6 Music, Bandcamp Daily and many other media outlets.
Career credits
BA Hons Law, Cert. in Music Workshop Skills, Numerous album credits
Harry Younger
Harry has been a professional freelance drummer and multi- instrumentalist since completing his studies at the ACM in 2017, returning a year later to be a part of the Drum Tutor team. He has toured nationally and performed across Europe working with various bands and artists, has experience in studio settings and is a strong sight reader in the pit. Harry has performed many West End style shows across the south coast, credits including ‘Chess’, ‘School of Rock’, ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘Grease’ and many more. Outside of performance, you can find Harry in his home studio building various AV and backing track rigs, with experience through Logic, Ableton, Mainstage, and QLab, utilising electronics in performance wherever needed.
Career credits
Newman, Hats Off to Led Zeppelin, Drum Tech Support, Drum Electric
Huda Mahdi
Huda is an entrepreneur and a games and software engineer. In 2010, she completed a BSc in Games Development from Stockholm University (Sweden), and in 2012 a MSc in games programming from City University, London.
Through her freelancing company, she worked with businesses like Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), developing and supporting PlayStation applications that have been used by millions of people, and by companies such as Adidas, Media Molecule and SIE Japan Studio, but also worked with small startups, as an IT consultant.
In 2021 she also completed a BA in Islamic Studies, while also teaching games, programming and business at ACM. She then founded and led the FE Games Development Diploma, and is today teaching on both levels.
Her vision is to bring games and education closer through effective and immersive learning experiences.
Iwan VanHetten
As a widely respected multi-instrumentalist, producer, songwriter and musical director, Iwan has worked with big names like Sister Sledge, when he was their musical director for 15 years.
He also worked with The Pointer Sisters, recorded and toured with Candy Dulfer and a host of other renowned artists.
Currently, Iwan is a member of the Brooklyn Funk Essentials and has been for the last 20 years, playing keyboards and trumpet as well as being the band’s Musical Director. He also appeared on a number of the New York outfit’s albums. Iwan owns a world-class SSL recording facility located in the Jewellery Quarter where he produces and mixes albums for artists around the world.
Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson is a broadcast professional and event DJ who specialises in delivering interactive workshops using creative and interactive ideas, which are also designed to help boost students` confidence. After graduating from Cambridge University in 2014, he worked for commercial station Eagle Radio for 4 years as a producer, presenter and tutor, before going freelance and creating the ‘Media Academy’ educational courses, which over 200 young people have attended. He also regularly performs DJ sets at venues around London and South UK. Having previously taught the Broadcast Media elective to ACM HE students while he was at Eagle Radio, he was also producer and presenter of the Local Showcase radio show on Eagle. Jack joined ACM as a tutor in 2020 and now produces and presents the Local Showcase podcast, highlighting new music by artists from the ACM community.
Jamie Sellers
Jamie Sellers is a songwriter and producer, originally from Glasgow but now based in Essex. In a career spanning ten years Jamie has built a name for himself in the industry as a go-to writer/producer for many up and coming and established acts across the pop music spectrum. In this time Jamie has accumulated a UK Number 1 Single and a UK Number 1 Album, 3 other UK Top 40 Singles, Two Number 1 Albums in Japan, A Top 5 Album in Spain, A Top 20 US Billboard Dance Chart Single and Top 20 Singles in Belgium, Sweden and France.
Jamie is the owner of Run Wild Music, a boutique recording studio and artist development company, where Jamie and his team of emerging writers and producers work with some of the UK’s most exciting new talent. Some notable acts that Jamie has worked with are Little Simz, Ronan Keating, Alesha Dixon, Shaznay Lewis, Chelcee Grimes, Liv Dawson, Max George, 5ive, B*Witched, Grace Davies, GIRLI among a great many others.
Career credits
Little Simz, Ronan Keating, Alesha Dixon, Shaznay Lewis, Chelcee Grimes, Liv Dawson, Max George, 5ive, B*Witched, Grace Davies, GIRLI among a great many others.
Jamie West-Oram
Jamie is a founding member of The Fixx, who formed in 1980 and have scored considerable commercial and critical success over the years, particularly in North America, where they have toured extensively, playing to crowds of up to 80,000 strong.
Their 2nd album “Reach The Beach” reached multiplatinum status and includes the hit singles “One Thing Leads To Another”, “Saved By Zero” and “The Sign Of Fire” as well as deeper cuts such as “Opinions”, “Privilege” and “Outside”.
Their critically acclaimed 10th album “Beautiful Friction” was released in July 2012 and The Fixx still play sellout tours, notably in the U.S.A. and Canada.
Alongside The Fixx Jamie has worked live and in the studio with many other well-known artists including Tina Turner, David Bowie, Stevie Nicks, Brian Eno, Rupert Hine, Laurie Anderson, Jane Siberry, Kirsty MacColl, Cyndi Lauper, Benjamin Zephaniah and Depeche Mode. In 2007 Jamie travelled to Nepal and was involved in a successful attempt to break the world record for the highest concert on land along with Fixx singer Cy Curnin plus Mike Peters, Glenn Tilbrook, Nick Harper and Jim Phantom. The concert took place 6,000 meters up on the summit of Kala Patar and raised £500,000 in sponsorship for the cancer charity Love Hope Strength.
Career credits
Guitarist in The Fixx. Recording and touring musician. Songwriter/Arranger.
Joel Harris
Under his ‘Books’ alias Joel has been releasing music since 2015 on digital and vinyl via various experimental electronic labels including Ortem, Groundwork Recordings and Detuned Transmissions. His debut album ‘Station’ was released in 2018 and was well received by the UK dance music press including Mixmag and DJ Mag. His music combines modern production techniques with field recording and sound design to create intricate, atmospheric soundscapes for the club sound system. As a DJ, Joel has performed across the UK and parts of Europe and has held a residency at London’s genre-defining One.Seventy club night.
Joel has worked extensively with UK Hip-Hop producer ‘Aver’, engineering, mixing and co-producing tracks on his two most recent studio albums on Village Live records. These have received airplay on BBC 6Music as well as DJ Mag’s Hip Hop single of the month award. Another collaboration is currently in production alongside a number of exciting projects.
For the last two years Joel has been studying a Master’s in Music Technology at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, graduating with distinction in July 2020.
Jon Duff
Jon is a vastly experienced player and contributes to Rhythm magazine. He specialises in developing time keeping, groove playing and his proven techniques generate quick progress. As a drum tutor Jon is involved in taking drum students through the full time drum course repertoire, developing skills such as playing to a click and tone production.
Jono McNeil
Jono provides innovative vocal coaching for a large range of professional singers, television contestants, contemporary recording artists and musical theatre performers.
His varied portfolio has seen him coaching for The Voice UK and The Voice Kids, among other talent shows, along with his role as a senior lecturer at the ACM. An artist and singer in his own right, Jono has performed with Paloma Faith, Michael Buble, Josh Groban, Nelly, Jamie Cullum, Lemar, George Ezra, Jocelyn Brown and Reel People to name a few. He has also released three studio albums and performs regularly.
Passionate about creative expression, new sounds and innovation in singers, he presents workshops and masterclasses for many occasions, including the British Voice Association, the Voice Council and has had a cover feature in the iSing online magazine.
Kevin Glasgow
Kevin Glasgow was born in Inverness in 1983 to musical parents Dick and Sabine. When he was 9 years old the family moved to Northern Ireland, where he started learning guitar and playing traditional Irish music sessions with his parents. At the age of 16 Kevin began playing bass guitar and later moved back to Scotland to study Popular Music at Napier University in Edinburgh. Whilst there he played regularly on the Edinburgh jazz circuit. Since graduating, he has played internationally at venues such as Ronnie Scott’s, the 606, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola (Lincoln Center, NYC) and festivals such as Glastonbury, Hong Kong International Jazz Festival and the London Jazz Festival. He has performed and recorded with many different artists including Tommy Smith, Tim Garland, Marcos Valle, Asaf Sirkis, Alex Hutchings, Alicia Olatuja, Ant Law, and the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra (featuring soloists such as John Scofield, Bill Evans, Randy Brecker, and Peter Erskine). Kevin has also performed on BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio 3. In 2008 Kevin moved to London where he now resides. He currently plays in a number of projects, including Jamie Murray’s Beat Replacement the Asaf Sirkis Trio, the Sirkis/Bialas IQ, the Nicolas Meier World Group, the Dave O’Brien Electric Trio and Preston-Glasgow-Lowe.
Career credits
– Scottish National Jazz Orchestra – Tommy Smith – Tim Garland – Marcos Valle – Alex Hutchings
Leo Appleyard
Leo is an experienced guitarist and producer and has studied at the Royal Academy of Music and Birmingham Conservatoire.
He has performed all over the UK at venues/festivals including London Jazz Festival, Ronnie Scotts, The Barbican, and internationally in India, Australia and Europe. As a producer, his music and recordings have been heard on ITV, MTV France, BBC 6 Music, BBC Introducing, released on labels including; Universal, Decca, Bonfire Records. Leo releases electronic music under the moniker ‘Urchin’, and has collaborated with many artists, gaining a growing reputation in the down-tempo electronic scene.
“So, so good…” Jamie Lidell.
“One of the new crop of musicians, making a mark on the scene…” Julian Joseph, BBC Radio 3
Career credits
Universal Records, Decca Records, Bonfire Records, Gold of My Own, Jo Harman, Beating Heart Label, Cat Delphi (MOBO), Duncan Eagles.
Maria Radoje
Maria Radoje is an experienced Music therapist with a special interest in Guided Imagery and Music, a type of music psychotherapy that uncovers unconscious processes, which she uses in working with performers by exploring the person’s relationship with their instrument or chosen medium of expression, encouraging relaxation skills, and challenging unhealthy thought processes. Maria has over 20 years experience working with trauma, depression and anxiety, and people experiencing acute phases of mental illness, as well as in the recovery phase. She also has expertise in working with people with dementia and those with physical disabilities, and has helped clients manage alcohol misuse, bipolar disorder, personality disorder, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and trauma.
She trained in music performance at the Royal Academy of Music (cello) and has worked as a freelance musician, teacher and composer.
Career credits
Published by Jessica Kingsley, Approaches and BJMT, and presented at BAMT conferences & Supervision Symposium.
Mark Taylor
Mark Taylor is a keyboard player and music director. He started his career playing with The Lords of the New Church and The Alarm touring extensively around the world.
He worked as music director for Sinead O’Connor on her ‘Nothing compares to you’ tour and then joined Simple Minds taking keyboard duties spanning nearly three decades. He was asked to play on an album ‘The One’ for Elton John and he joined him on a two-year tour as second keys.
He has played with artists like Echo and the Bunnymen, The Cult, Jimmy Cliff as well as a long association with Belinda Carlisle. His session and writing work includes Chris Difford, Marti Pellow, Mark Knopfler and Robbie Williams to name a few. He recently worked with Mick Jones and Rotten Hill Gang.
Marwan ‘King Tut’ Elbergamy
King Tut is a Multi Platinum selling producer/ songwriter from London set to break the stereotyped mould. You’ll find him between Hip Hop, R&B, Indie, Rock and Pop sessions. He hops from London to LA, with his diverse sound. His discography includes artist such as Jessie J, Ella Henderson, Professor Green, Maino, Joel Ortiz, Chip, Nekfeu, Wretch 32 to name a few. He has received many rewards for his work including Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond plaques from the UK, Europe and the US.
Career credits
Multi Platinum Producer / Songwriter
Matt Jones
Matt is lead guitarist for progressive power metal band Dakesis and is known for his technical ability.
Highlights of his career includes several appearances at Bloodstock open air festival, sharing the stage with artists such as ‘Blaze Bailey’ of Iron Maiden and ‘Edguy’, multiple UK headline tours and a 2016 Finland tour. Matt is also Head Engineer and producer at CapsaArx studios, Birmingham.
He regularly works as a dep and session guitarist and has been teaching as a guitar and music production tutor since 2010.
Leddra Chapman
Leddra Chapman is an independent singer/songwriter releasing heartfelt folk/pop music from her own label, accumulating over 30 million streams worldwide.
Debut album ‘Telling Tales’ received critical acclaim, noted as ‘pitch-perfect acoustic pop’ by The Independent. Leddra was personally championed by the Sir Terry Wogan and has been playlisted many times by BBC Radio 2, including a “Record of The Week” for lead single “All About You” from her second full length studio album.
Leddra has also also toured extensively throughout Europe, both as a headline act and supporting the likes of Ed, Tom Jones, Ben Howard, Gabrielle, Katie Melua & more.
Matt Russell
Matthew Russell’s career in the music industry began with his study of Acoustics at Salford, which led him to become a studio engineer in Birmingham. His passion and expertise quickly took him to London, where he worked at the world-famous Depot Studios. Matthew’s extensive experience in the industry grew as he served as the technical supervisor at Sensible Studios.
As General Manager at Cato Music, Matthew designed several rehearsal rooms that have been utilized by legendary bands and artists such as Metallica, Queen, and Kate Bush. He headed up the busy touring department working with hundreds of acts like Muse, Bastille and Haim, which then led him to establish the Universal Music Touring department.
At John Henry’s Matt worked as a consultant for major touring artists and at special events. Matt had the honour of being the production manager for George Martin’s funeral at St. Martin in the Fields, where he worked closely with the surviving members of The Beatles.
Matt established the world’s first roadie school with ACM, which has evolved into the Live Production and Technical Arts pathway.
Mike Goodman
Mike has been recording and gigging internationally as both a guitarist and MD for over 20 years for many artists. For 10 years, he had his own monthly column in Guitarist Magazine studying theory, lead and rhythm playing and has for this past year been writing copy for Total Guitar magazine in collaboration with RSL. He is one of the team of guitar tutors for Guitar Breaks, a company that offers residential retreats in locations around the world for aspiring players and has worked alongside Matt Schofield, Ariel Posen and Josh Smith.
He has contributed arrangements, content and recordings for the Rockschool Electric Guitar syllabus and currently works as a consultant and video contributor for the new ABRSM Electric Guitar Journeys Tuition. He has endorsed and demonstrated for Palm Bay Guitars, Randall Amplifiers and Fylde Guitars at Trade shows around the country.
Along with playing, he wrote, recorded and produced music for several TV series and programmes including Wildlife Photographer, Lifeboat rescue and Wildlife SOS. He has taught in Primary Schools, Secondary Schools, 6th Form Colleges and has worked at ACM since 1997 as a Guitar Tutor teaching from Level 2 up to Level 6. In his time here he has also held various positions such as Senior Lecturer, Module Leader and Performance School Assistant Manager. Currently teaching predominantly guitar classes and performance classes, he has also taught ear training, sight-reading, stylistic awareness, session styles, improvisation and has led the design of modules and assessments and contributed to the composition of course notes.
Career credits
Wiley, Living in a Box, Jake Gosling, Kenny Thomas, Liv Dawson, Nate James, Bucks Fizz (now The Fizz), Cass Fox (Faithless), Thomas Jules (Rudimental) and leading function band Madhen.
Millie Johnson
With over 15 years radio broadcasting and music experience, Millie brings that knowledge and expertise to ACM.
Having started her radio career at Epsom Hospital radio, she was soon taking her first step through the Kiss 100 FM studio doors. This was a career that was to span over 12 years.
Starting as Assistant to the Head of Music and when the digital boom happened, Millie seized the opportunity to work alongside legendary DJ’s such as David Rodigan, Trevor Nelson, DJ Hype and Patrick Forge as a Specialist Radio Producer. This transitioned to an air-on role as Co-presenter and Producer of the Drivetime show, an integral show on the award winning station.
Millie continues to make radio guest appearances, record voice-overs and DJ’s occasionally.
Nat Martin
Nat Martin has been playing guitar for 17 years and his primary influences are blues, jazz and funk music. He has gigged extensively with a number of bands as well as playing in the pit for a number of musical theatre productions.
As a guitar Tutor Nat mainly teaches in music theory at ACM. He is also a guitar Tutor available for tutorials, as well as teaching on the part time guitar courses.
Fusion outfit Monster Soup which includes Nat can be heard gigging frequently at The Boileroom in Guildford with drummer Stu Roberts and monster mates Andy Staples and Rob Webb!
Neil Bullock
Neil studied privately with the world renowned drummer Mal Garrett from the Birmingham Conservatoire and turned professional at age 17. He won awards, including two Musicians’ Union ‘Most Promising Young Musician’, three ‘TV Times Outstanding Drummer Awards’, The BBC Big Band ‘Best Drummer Prize’ and the Musicians’ Union ‘Outstanding Musician Award’.
Neil was a member of the Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra, performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival. He studied in New Jersey with Dave Brubeck’s world renowned drummer, Joe Morello, along with the greatest exponent of the Moeller technique, Jim Chapin. Neil joined The Red Lemon Electric Blues Band, touring with Chuck Berry, played support shows to Robert Plant and made appearances at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club.
Neil has worked on numerous occasions with the BBC Big Band both live and on radio broadcasts.
Ngaire Osborne
Ngaire Osborne started writing for the underground cultural press in the late 80’s for Buzz magazine, a rag which spawned a Nirvana press officer, an editor of an awarding winning dance magazine, and a generous pinch of photographers and writers who gravitated towards the National music press of the 90’s, New Musical Express and Melody Maker.
As a weekly writer for the Melody Maker (1989- 2000) both as Ngaire, and Ngaire Ruth, she brought P J Harvey, Blur and Seal to the table – among many others; saw Nirvana third of the bill in a tiny pub venue in Shepherd’s Bush embraced the Riot Grrrl phenomena. She moved into online journalism as a section editor in 2011- 2015 for the girls are, a magazine with feminism at its root, and helped build a successful site that took music journalism forward. She moved into academia five years ago, combining her teaching skills (PGCE) with her professional specialism’s music, media, and feminist theory, in respect of the music industry. Since, she has devised and run modules related to cultural studies and perspectives; music journalism; writing for digital; music academic theory; media and production theory; applying performance theory to reviews; how people read online; top tips for digital writing including a biography; how to write a press release; history and legacy of the alternative music press; what’s your narrative (as a creative professional); the changing role of women artists in music; moral panic and music as a device; writing, ritual, revolution – Riot Grrrl, Queer Theory, the history of DIY in music. She is an author for the F Word, writing with a feminist perspective and currently writing a book.
Pat Hughes
Pat is a highly technical bass player with a plethora of live experience under his belt. Having studied at Basstech in London for three years – where he was awarded ‘Best Overall Student’ – he went on to play with the critically acclaimed bands Headnoise, The Disoriented and Wanton & Blithe. He has since toured all over the UK, Europe and South East Asia with various function bands, including regular sessions for Guitar Techniques magazine and drum and bass producer Ray Keith, and a performance at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. More recently, he has been touring with Hugh Cornwell (frontman of The Stranglers) and English ‘punk poet’, Dr. John Cooper Clarke, even performing a BBC 6 Music live session with them hosted by presenter Mark Radcliffe. Pat has been teaching at ACM since 2001, and has given guest lectures at Bass Day UK, Seoul Jazz Academy in South Korea, and three of Japan’s foremost contemporary music colleges in Tokyo and Niigata. He has also appeared on Channel 4, BBC Radio 1 and the Musicians’ Channel, as well as writing a series of articles for Bassist magazine.
Paul Geary
Paul Geary is responsible for laying down the low frequencies of Nik Kershaw’s band. In 1993, he was voted Best “New Musician” by the British Music Association and has since established himself as one of the UK’s foremost studio bassists and active session musician.
Paul started his playing career comparatively late, having had no formal music training. He started playing bass in a gospel church at the age of 18 and shortly after this he went on to study music in the US and is now an Honors Graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston USA, and B.I.T, Musicians Institute of Technology in Los Angeles, California. He received his first break in 1991, working with soul diva Lisa Stansfield and Gabrielle. Shortly after this, he went on to work with Chris Rea and played alongside Jools Holland as part of the Princes Trust Rock School. Later in the autumn of 1993, he started playing bass for Chris Norman, the former lead singer of Smokie. 1994 brought relocation to London to head up to the Academy of Contemporary Music’s bass school. Paul still found time in his busy schedule of full time courses at the Academy to lecture live performance workshops and he is also a contributor for Guitar Techniques & Bass Guitar Magazine.
Three years later, in 1997, Paul recorded a new studio album and went on tour with Nik Kershaw. Two year later, a second album with Kershaw followed. Since then, the years have been busy touring and working as a music director and session musician with huge artists such as George Michael, Lisa Stansfield, Gabrielle, Simply Red, Chris Rea, Nik Kershaw, Donny and Marie Osmond, The Lighthouse Family, Liberty X, A1, Chris Norman, Geri Halliwell, Dane Bowers, Sophie Ellis Bexter, Clarksville, Enrique, Phix, Dside, Blazing Squad, Midge Ure, Odyssey, Jason Donovan, Toyah, Altered Images, T’Pau, 5Star. Rachel Stevens, Mary J. Blige, Westlife, Paul Young, The DireStraits Experience, Rose Royce, George McCrae, BoneyM, Eban Brown – Stylistics, Tavares and Sister Sledge.
Career credits
George Michael, Lisa Stansfield, Gabrielle, Simply Red, Chris Rea, Nik Kershaw, Donny and Marie Osmond, The Lighthouse Family, Liberty X, A1, Chris Norman, Geri Halliwell, Dane Bowers, Sophie Ellis Bexter, Clarksville, Enrique, Phix, Dside, Blazing Squad, Midge Ure, Odyssey, Jason Donovan, Toyah, Altered Images, T’Pau, 5Star. Rachel Stevens, Mary J. Blige, Westlife, Paul Young, The DireStraits Experience, Rose Royce, George McCrae, BoneyM, Eban Brown – Stylistics, Tavares and Sister Sledge.
Pete Friesen
Pete started playing guitar for Alice Cooper in 1989 on the “Trash” album world tour, travelling to North America, UK, Europe, Japan and Australia. A live DVD, “Trashes The World”, was recorded at the Birmingham NEC and released in 1990. He went on to do the European tour of Alice’s next album “Hey Stoopid”, also appearing alongside Alice in the movie “Wayne’s World”.
Pete relocated to the UK in 1992 and joined Scottish rock band The Almighty who he played with for the next 4 years. Releasing 3 albums in that time: “Powertrippin”, (no. 5 in the UK album charts), “Crank” and “Just Add Life”; the band toured extensively throughout the UK, Europe, North and South America, Australia and Japan. Highlights were the 1992 Donington Monsters of Rock Festival and supporting Metallica at Milton Keynes Bowl.
The Almighty disbanded in 1996 and in 1997 Pete returned to Alice Cooper’s band to do several more tours up until 2002. A live DVD from the “Brutal Planet” tour was recorded at Hammersmith Apollo and released in 2000.
In the summer of 2000 Pete played a string of summer festival dates in Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson’s solo band.
Since 2000 Pete has recorded production music for London based company Brilliant Music. His tracks have been used in television and film all over the world. In 2014 Pete played guitar in the Ray Davies/ Kinks musical “Sunny Afternoon”. It ran for two years in London’s West End and had performances at the Royal Opera House and the Royal Albert Hall. An original cast recording of the show, which was produced by Ray Davies, was released on Sony music.
Career credits
Alice Cooper, The Almighty, Bruce Dickinson & Ray Davies/Kinks musical “Sunny Afternoon”.
Rachel H
Rachel’s career spans over 25 years in the music industry and she has been part of many music projects from their inception through to winning major awards for her work.
She started in the music industry, managing recording studios and record producers. Rachel is skilled in public relations and marketing. She established ‘Main Source Promotions’ a company specialising in radio plugging and promoting Drum & Bass and Hip Hop labels.
She has worked with various artists including, Roni Size, Andy C and RAM Records, Hospital Records, General Levy, Skitz among others. Rachel produced UK Garage Dreem Teem and Fabio & Grooverider’s ‘One In The Jungle’ for Radio One, and then helped set up BBC Radio 1Xtra. Rachel has a PGCE and has worked in education for over 10 years. She has produced many community and college radio projects around the country.
Rob Harral
Rob is an extremely versatile player, with tone and groove as his expertise.
Rob studied at ACM and while developing his career, he made appearances on BBC and ITV television programmes, as well as on national radio.
Rob regularly performs in well-established high-end function bands for various events and he also works in the pit in theatre musical productions. His love of learning and teaching brought him back to ACM, and his students enjoy his coaching and mentoring techniques.
Sarah Geary
Sarah has been a professional musician for the last 20 years. She has extensive experience in touring at stadium level and many festivals including The Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. Her musical credits include working alongside Paul Young, Edwin Starr, Hot Chocolate, Bonnie Tyler, Crowded House and James Blunt.
She has worked with Ex-’Smokie’ Chris Norman on backing vocals for six years and is currently working for Shakin’ Stevens and sings in the Sidewinder Big Band based in Cranleigh.
Sarah has been involved with the ACM since 2000 and is a vocal tutor on the full- time program. She also fronts an eight- piece Motown/Soul band The Tamla Tigers.
Career credits
Paul Young, Edwin Starr, Hot Chocolate, Bonnie Tyler, Crowded House and James Blunt
Shao Dow
Shao Dow is an independent rapper, manga author and occasional ninja.
After studying Shaolin Kung Fu with the monks whilst living in China, Shao Dow utilised the tenacity and determination he learnt from his martial arts training to independently forge his music career. It’s little wonder Shao scooped the AIM Award for Hardest Working Artist.
Known to rap in both English and Japanese, Shao is hard to define as just a regular artist. He constantly blurs the lines between anime (Japanese-style animation), martial arts and his own music and has worked with icons such as Sean Schemmel (the voice actor for Goku – Dragon Ball Z) and featured on the first single from Tech N9ne’s latest album.
When it comes to performing live, Shao delivers an unforgettable stage show. Mixing skilful lyricism, infectious beats and Kung Fu, he creates an unparalleled live experience. He was nominated for ‘Best Live Performer’ at The AIM Independent Music Award 2022.
He has opened for Tech N9ne, R.A The Rugged Man, KRS-One, Stormzy, 6LACK, Skepta and more, has performed at Reading and Leeds festivals and has toured across the UK, Europe, The USA and Asia.
Alongside his regular releases, Shao Dow is also working on the soundtrack for an animated series with Mashed and Channel 4 – the first episode achieved more than 1 million views on YouTube within two weeks. His music was also used as part of the soundtrack in the ‘All or Nothing: Arsenal’ documentary about Arsenal FC by Amazon Prime Video.
Shao Dow mentors artists, focusing on topics such as merchandising, planning a tour, time management, protecting mental health, getting radio play, networking and business opportunities.
Steve Sheldon
Steve likes to think of himself as a ‘real working musician’, keeping all his guitar work varied to make sure he has a full gigging diary alongside his role as a lecturer.
He has played in theatre productions such as Romeo and Juliet for the Royal Shakespeare Company and in orchestrations for the BBC. He has also played for the Drifters and performed at various functions around the world.
Steve has a real passion for music theory, especially jazz harmony. He loves how everything musical has a rule and how these rules can be broken with the know how. Steve urges students to study theory so they can play alongside the greats.
Tanya Lacey
Tanya’s career of songwriting and performing spans over ten years. Tanya first signed to Sony RCA in 2009 as an artist, later creating her own independent record label.
She has written for, toured and collaborated with artists worldwide including Bruno Mars, Will.i.am, Tori Kelly and Basement Jaxx. In 2017, she was featured in The Voice. Tanya is passionate about diversifying and encouraging women to pursue creative careers in music as well as developing underrepresented musicians and artists.
She is actively involved in mentoring, tutoring and teaching songwriting workshops, as well as participating on speaking panels and hosting music events across the UK. Tanya currently has an active working relationship with ‘Girls I Rate’ as a writing tutor, ‘Bristol Play’s Music’ mentoring artists as part of an ongoing annual project (Homegrown Heat), and has been newly appointed as a director on the board of trustees for ‘The Colston Hall’.
Tim Walters
Tim Walters began playing the guitar in 1989 and teaching in 2000, performing all over the World and teaching all levels from complete beginners up to multi-platinum selling artists. He has distinction passes at grade 8 with Trinity College London and Rockschool exam boards and holds both a Licentiate teaching diploma and Fellowship performance diploma with the London College of Music.
Tim is comfortable in most styles of music, on both electric and acoustic guitar and is well versed in sight reading and improvising. He has a wide experience of live performance and has shared a stage with some of the UK’s finest Rock, Pop and Jazz musicians. Tim has also organised and been musical director of many music courses, clinics and workshops. The diverse range of musicians he has worked with over the years include, Chris White, Richard Cottle, Gaz Coombes, Chris Whitten, Irwin Sparks, Adrian Smith, Lawrence Cottle, Nigel Hitchcock, Richard Jupp, Ralph Salmins, Alec Dankworth, Steve White and many more. Tim is an endorsing artist for Vigier guitars, Victory amplifiers and Dunlop strings. He is currently touring with The Dire Straits Experience.
Tobias Alexander
Tobias has worked professionally as a drummer since 2006 working both nationally and internationally.
He has experience across live radio and television, recording, and touring. He is currently working with 10 Downing Street on a national memorial project. After living and working in Paris during 2010 and 2011, Tobias returned and worked as an A and R team manager for an independent record label based in Birmingham.
Tobias was also listed in ‘Rhythm Magazine’s One’s to Watch’ feature in 2018.
Toby Drummond
Toby is a professional drummer who has performed with artists such as The Seahorses, Shaun Ryder, Russell Watson, Ray Davies, Celia Imrie, and Cliff Richard.
He comes from Vancouver, Canada, developing his music career, studying with Bob Armstrong at Masterclass Studios and with Dom Famularo and Jim Chaplin in Long Island, New York.
Toby brings to ACM his wealth of experience, helping to mentor our students. Toby regularly performs on many West End Shows such as ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘Wicked’, and ‘Billy Elliot’ among many others. He is also a regular contributor to ‘Rhythm Magazine’.
Vince Hearn
Vincent is a music education professional with extensive experience covering multiple disciplines within music performance and technology.
With a BA Hons in Contemporary Popular Music, Vincent has experience working across a diverse range of music sectors. With a background in performing and recording primarily as
a Guitarist, Vincent has collaborated and worked with a range of musicians and started his career as a successful freelance musician. Establishing business start ups including a recording studio and contemporary guitar school.
Whilst currently collaborating with other musicians on a future release, Vincent enjoys participating within the music education sector as it allows him to explore and indulge in all of his musical interests simultaneously.
Windsor McGilvray
Windsor graduated as ACM’s ‘Outstanding Student of the Year’. He worked with bands and artists, appearing live at the BBC, and other prestigious venues including the Cavern Club, the Royal Albert Hall and the Dubai Opera.
Windsor has created music with Hugh Cornwell (solo, The Stranglers) – some highlights of that being playing for the Sultan of Brunei and touring supporting Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Blondie – Fish (solo, ex-Marillion), Dr. John Cooper Clarke, Paul Martinez (Robert Plant, Phil Collins, George Harrison), Paul Turner (Jamiroquai, Annie Lennox), Tony Visconti (David Bowie, T. Rex), Brian Tench (Kate Bush, Tina Turner), Neil Taylor (Robbie Williams, Tears For Fears) and Terry Barham (Bob Marley) among others.
