Apart from writing performing and recording, there is another strand to my life in music. I have found great satisfaction in teaching others,helping them to get the same pleasure and satisfaction from making music as I do. While helping them avoid the difficulties I encountered as a self taught musician. I know the frustrations involved in being short of resources, equipment and information.

In the early nineties I taught guitar in a local school and then went on to teach in the music department of Newcastle College. While there I worked with students on the music technology course, concentrating mainly on songwriting, arranging and studio production. The students were mostly in the 18- 21 age group.

Whilst there I was made head of a course designed to cater for students wishing to learn a second instrument. Overseeing a staff of ten we covered a wide range of instruments including drums, keyboards, voice and guitar. The most exciting aspect of this course however, was that it was open to external students, not just those already enrolled at the college. This enabled people from a wide variety of backgrounds, some with learning difficulties, some with physical and mental health problems to receive one-to-one tuition on the instrument of their choice, Their level of motivation was often higher than that of the other students, and helped me to see how stimulating and satisfying teaching could be.

During this time I studied for and qualified with the certicate of education making me a qualified teacher. So if you were wondering, I am the real deal!

One day while skipping through the media pages in the Guardian newspaper, I came across a job ad; 'musician in residence required' immediately interested I read further. 'To work in a high security prison near Doncaster' To cut it short, I applied for the job and got it. The contract was initially for six months but I ended up working there, two days a week, for the next two and a half years, until money and goodwill ran out. My time working in the prison marked me, changed me, and helped me grow. If I had ever had any doubts about the therapeutic effects of music they were swept away by that experience.

Since leaving the prison job, I have run rock schools, songwriting courses and music theory classes for the following organisations. Blyth Resource and Initiative Centre(B.R.I.C.) The Workers Education Authority (WEA) And The Centre for Life Long Learning (CLL) at Newcastle University. Held at a wide range of venues, and working with people of all ages from a variety of backgrounds.

If you would like further information about tuition or any of the following teaching initiatives, please get in touch by email initially.

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