Tutor campus: Guildford

Mike Nichols

Mike Nichols is an accomplished professional bass player and musical director. Specialising in all aspects of live performance as a cross-discipline senior lecturer at ACM, Mike brings a wealth of experience to their role. Mike’s credits include working with renowned artists such as Toyah Willcox, Robert Fripp, and Jools Holland, as well as performing with orchestras and in numerous West End shows. Currently serving as the musical director for Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp, Mike values ACM for its supportive community and professional connections. Mike’s top tips for students emphasise the importance of hard work, networking, and seeing projects through to completion.

Paul Clarke

Paul is an experienced 2D and 3D artist using both digital and traditional media. On computer his favourite applications are Photoshop, Procreate, ArtRage, 3DS Max, Snapseed, Sculpt GL and Paint 3D (yes, really). Using traditional media Paul is well practised in ink, watercolour, pencil and acrylics.

Paul’s has worked on a wide range of games and application demos using everything from Interactive Whiteboard note apps to VR art tools. He’s had artwork exhibited across the world and been used as an exemplar artist for a range of applications including Fresh Paint, ArtRage, Eazel, Photoshop, OneNote and more.

As well as teaching at the ACM Paul runs the cosplay life drawing evenings and FE Game Jam sessions. He’s also written and drawn eight published works and is currently working on the ninth.

As a fan of a wide range of visual and printed media Paul is well placed to offer advice and guidance on theme, form, flow, inspiration and excitement in a wide range of game and entertainment industry standards.

Tony Wathen

Tony Wathen, also known as Radiokillaz, is a pioneering Jungle and Breakbeat music producer, DJ, and educator, boasting a career spanning over three decades. With roots in pirate radio dating back to 1993, Radiokillaz has left an indelible mark on the music scene, gracing influential stations such as Chillin FM, Flex FM, and Flight FM. As a producer, their remixes of top 30 records, including a chart-topping hit by Paul Hardcastle, have garnered acclaim. Supported by BBC Radio 1 legend Annie Nightingale, Radiokillaz’s releases on labels like Universal Music and Warehouse Wax solidify their status as a genre leader. Beyond music, Radiokillaz passionately educates 16-18-year-old diploma students in music production at ACM in Guildford, while hosting a bi-weekly radio show on www.infrared.fm, championing Jungle music’s best. Their dynamic contributions to production, DJing, and education underscore their influential role in the industry, inspiring the next generation of music creators with their innovative sound and infectious energy.

Dr Madeline Castrey

Madeline Castrey is a musician, singer and researcher who enjoys a successful career in performance and academia. With a background in West End theatre and television, Madeline was the first ever 16 year old admitted onto a degree course at The London College of Music and now works as a PhD researcher. She is a professional opera and jazz singer, performing at many high profile venues including Opera Holland Park, Twickenham Stadium and The Shard in London, releases her own music with London labels and has had leading roles in several London shows including Les Miserables, Evita and The Lion King.
Madeline founded the charity Resonate, using music and singing to positively impact lives. Her work applying classical vocal technique to those living with serious neurological disability has been featured on several national outlets including BBC News, Sky News, BBC Radio, GB News and Channel 5 News. She has received several awards for her work and in 2022, she was honoured to judge the Princess Diana Awards as a past recipient herself, for young people making exceptional contributions to global communities. Alongside her performance and lecturing career, Madeline is also a musicologist and enjoys guest lecturing and voice/vocal coaching. She is passionate about the health/wellness benefits of using the voice and wrote her published book on this subject in 2023.

Jamie Sellers

Jamie Sellers, specialising in Production at ACM, boasts a remarkable background as a Songwriter, Record Producer, and Mixing Engineer, with an impressive portfolio that includes 7 Number 1 records worldwide. Notably, Jamie holds the distinction of being the only producer to produce four consecutive UK Christmas number 1 records. Jamies extensive experience encompasses collaborations with renowned artists such as Elton John, Ed Sheeran, Little Simz, FLO, Alesha Dixon, and Shaznay Lewis, among others. Jamie values ACM as a hub for like-minded musicians to come together and collaborate, emphasising the power of collective creativity. His advice for students emphasises seizing every opportunity, embracing unexpected sources of inspiration, and fostering mutually beneficial relationships in the industry.

Tim Walters

Tim Walters is a seasoned guitarist and educator. Since starting their guitar journey in 1989 and transitioning to professional performance and teaching in 2000, Tim has performed in over 40 countries worldwide and taught students of all levels, from complete beginners through to multi-platinum selling artists. Holding distinction passes at Grade 8 with Trinity College London and Rockschool exam boards, as well as a Licentiate teaching diploma and Fellowship performance diploma with the London College of Music. Tim is well versed in a variety of musical styles and skilled in sight reading and improvisation. Tim’s extensive touring experience has enriched his teaching practice. As the Guitar Pathway Lead at ACM, Tim fosters a unique, collaborative learning environment within a world-class faculty. Tim’s top tips for students emphasise active participation and seizing every opportunity for musical growth.

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 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 been a tutor at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford and 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.

Ngaire Ruth

Ngaire Ruth, a veteran of underground cultural press since 1987, wrote for a publication that birthed notable figures in the industry. Contributed to Melody Maker from 1989 to 2000, maintaining columns like Musicians Diary and Studio Eye. Transitioning to online journalism and academia, focuses on taking music to market, gender issues in the industry, and research. Pursuing a part-time Masters in Creative Writing, scored exceptionally in assessments, leading to an upcoming book. With a PGCE from Bath University and a degree in Theatre/English from North London University, also holds a mentoring certificate and has taught at the University of Creative Arts. At ACM, values the personalised approach to learning, encouraging students to apply their unique perspectives to their work. Advice to students includes thorough reading of available resources, asking insightful questions, and embracing the intense learning journey.

Kevin Glasgow

Kevin Glasgow’s musical journey began in Inverness in 1983, nurtured by their musically inclined parents Dick and Sabine. Immersed in traditional Irish music sessions from a young age, Kevin’s passion for music grew as they learned guitar at 9. Transitioning to bass guitar at 16, they delved deeper into music upon returning to Scotland to pursue Popular Music studies at Napier University in Edinburgh. Graduating opened doors to international performances at prestigious venues like Ronnie Scott’s and festivals such as Glastonbury and the London Jazz Festival. Collaborating with esteemed artists including Tommy Smith, Tim Garland, and Asaf Sirkis, Kevin’s versatility shines through. Residing in London since 2008, Kevin continues to enrich the music scene, contributing their talents to various projects like Jamie Murray’s Beat Replacement and the Asaf Sirkis Trio, among others.

Leo Appleyard

Leo Appleyard, a highly skilled guitarist and producer based in London, UK, boasts an illustrious career performing at prestigious venues like Ronnie Scotts and The Barbican. Trained in jazz guitar at The Royal Academy of Music – London, and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Leo has collaborated with diverse artists across genres, earning recognition for their work featured on platforms like MTV France and BBC London. Winner of ‘Best Original Song’ at the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival, Leo is also a dedicated educator, holding the position of Professor of Guitar at the Royal Military School of Music. At ACM, Leo specialises in production, guitar, and keys, benefiting from top-notch facilities and access to a variety of expert tutors. Leo emphasises the importance of a strong work ethic, networking, and embracing musical and financial diversity.