Tutor campus: Birmingham

Ashwin Seegobin

Ashwin Seegobin, known as “Smash,” hails from London with Trinidadian roots, blending Caribbean rhythms with mainstream genres like RnB, Hip Hop, and EDM. After honing their skills in Trinidad & Tobago, Ash has collaborated with industry heavyweights like Busy Signal, Konshens, and Charly Black. Their prowess extends beyond music production and engineering; they hold a Bachelor’s Degree in animation, enabling them to delve into visual arts, including motion graphics and animated music videos. With a commitment to keeping their sound fresh, Ash frequently shuttles between the Caribbean and the UK. Predominantly focused on production, audio engineering, illustration, motion graphics, and animation, Ash brings a unique blend of Caribbean flavour and global influences to their diverse projects.

Marwan Elbergamy

Marwan ‘King Tut’ Elbergamy is a multi-platinum- producer. His expertise spans across various genres including Hip Hop, Indie, Rock, Country, and Pop.

Marwan boasts an impressive discography featuring renowned artists such as Jessie J, Ella Henderson, Professor Green, Maino, Joel Ortiz, Chip, Nekfeu, Wretch 32, and Dappy, among others.

His exceptional work has garnered numerous accolades, including Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond plaques from the UK, Europe, and the US. Marwan continues to make significant contributions to the music industry.

Marwan now heads up Artist Development at Metropolis Blue Rooms.

Darren Neville

Darren Neville specialises in Games Design at ACM, bringing 15 years of industry experience, including a notable tenure at PlayStation. Darren finds joy in collaborating with aspiring talents entering the gaming realm. For students, Darren advises aiming higher than mere assignments, engaging in game jams or extra projects. Darren emphasises mastering time management, a crucial skill in the industry. Darren suggests immersing oneself in the extensive catalogue of Hideo Kojima, a renowned game developer, for valuable insights and inspiration.

Matthew Twaites

Matthew Twaites, specialising in Music Production at ACM, boasts over two decades of music industry experience, primarily as a sound engineer and producer, supplemented by roles as a musician and composer. With a diverse portfolio, Matthew has contributed his talents as a bass player for The Electric Soft Parade and collaborated with esteemed artists such as Mystery Jets, Lily Allen, and The Kooks as a producer and sound engineer. His guest composer credits include The Stephen Joseph Theatre, Matthew has also worked as a composer for Lift Music. Matthew values ACM for its exceptional tutors and staff. For students, seizing every opportunity, living their passion, and maximising collaborations with diverse artists are emphasised.

Lucy Jane Brown

Lucy Brown is a pop, rnb, and soulful singer based in Birmingham
who performs nationally and internationally, entertaining clients from weddings to
corporate events, to residencies at luxury bars and restaurants.

She began her career studying music at university. After leaving with a
first class BA Hons in Performance Industries, she then went on to teach
vocal techniques and skill with companies such as Yamaha and most proudly ACM!
Lucy performs multiple times a week in places such as Harvey Nichols, the BBC,
Level 25 at Marco Pierre Whites, The Mailbox, Albert Schloss, The Cube and many many more. Additionally, Lucy has filmed and recorded promotional material
for companies such as the Malmaison Hotel, ghost-written melodies and lyrics for major artists, taken centre stage at the theatre show ‘Ibiza nights’, alongside managing a huge pool of musicians for gigs locally. Lucy has lots of hands-on experience as a musician and creative.

Joe Downard

Joe Downard specialises in bass guitar at ACM, bringing a wealth of experience from their collaborations with acclaimed artists such as Jose James, Jordan Rakei, and Gregory Porter. Joe’s extensive credits also include performances with Nubya Garcia, Poppy Ajudha, and the BBC Big Band, among others. Joe emphasises ACM’s dedication to providing students with an industry-relevant education, highlighting the faculty’s real-world expertise, top-notch facilities, and strong industry connections. Joe encourages students to fully engage with the course and collaborate with their peers, believing that leading such experiences can enhance their creative journey at ACM. With Joe’s guidance, students can harness the dynamic learning environment to develop practical skills and knowledge essential for success in the music industry.

Gemma Lawler

Gemma Lawler, specialising in Performance, Songwriting, and Business at ACM, boasts a diverse professional background as a vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, independent artist, entrepreneur, and event promoter. As the vocalist of progressive metal band Dakesis and the parody tribute band “WomenOwaR,” Gemma brings extensive experience to the table. With 20 years of vocal coaching under their belt, Gemma co-directs Birmingham Rockschool and co-owns CapsaArx Studios and CapsaArx Music. Additionally, Gemma serves as a promoter for Metal 2 the Masses Birmingham and Power Metal Quest Fest. ACM’s vibrant community of talented students and staff stands out as the best aspect of the institution. Gemma’s advice to students emphasises networking, communication, scheduling, planning skills, and the importance of seizing opportunities through workshops, masterclasses, tutorials, and Industry Link.

Nikki Sadler

Nikki Sadler, hailing from Birmingham, is a seasoned session singer, vocalist, songwriter, and vocal coach. Graduating with first-class honours in Music Performance Vocals from Tech Music School (The London College of Music), Nikki has traversed the globe performing in hotels and cruise ships while also lending their talent to high-profile events as a session singer and vocal tutor in London. Nikki’s extensive live performance experience spans genres like Contemporary Pop, Rock, R&B, Soul, and Jazz. At ACM, Nikki’s specialisation lies in vocals and performance, where they imparts invaluable skills in vocal health, stagecraft, advanced vocal technique, and stylistic awareness. Nikki emphasises collaboration and project management, preparing students for the industry with professional portfolios and opportunities for industry links. Nikki encourages students to seize every performance opportunity, attend additional workshops, and leverage the support of their tutors. With Nikki’s guidance, students can navigate the music industry landscape with confidence and expertise.

Amie Chatterley

Amie Chatterley brings a diverse background, including roles as a bassist, event manager, and business owner. As the Business Pathway Leader & Foundation Programme Leader at ACM, Amie guides students in music business and event management. Amie’s credits include performing with bands and directing events like Power Metal Quest Festival. With a BA(Hons) in Performance Industries and a DipHE in Mental Health Nursing, Amie offers depth to her expertise. Amie values ACM’s focus on real-life projects, stating, “We’ve created a creative industry hub where students work on real projects.” Amie’s top tips for students stress networking, pushing boundaries, and mastering time management.

Joshua Max Wunderlich

Joshua Wunderlich brings a rich and diverse background as a songwriter, producer, and performer to their role at ACM, specialising in commercial songwriting. With international platinum-selling credentials, Josh has crafted hits across various genres, including J-Pop, K-Pop, and Eurovision. Joshua’s recent successes include a #1 platinum-selling single with J-Pop group King & Prince and collaborations with Virtual Idol group Hololive. Beyond pop songwriting, Joshua engages in solo projects, fronts touring rock-fusion bands, composes for indie games and short films, and has extensive experience as a live sound engineer. At ACM, Josh leverages their industry expertise to connect students with the current landscape of the global music industry. Joshua values ACM’s staff, composed of working professionals and industry leaders, who offer students meaningful connections. Joshua’s top tips for students emphasise the importance of networking, exploring diverse musical styles, and maintaining professionalism to maximise opportunities in the industry.