The purpose of this page is to provide a snapshot of my life as a guitar teacher and musician. So, whilst it may come across as a little self-focussed, that’s not who – or how – I am in real life!
Student guitarists can only reasonably expect to achieve up to the threshold of the skill, knowledge and experience of their guitar teachers. Read on to understand how you can benefit from my experience, training, knowledge and skills.
The beginning of my guitar journey
Born in Salford, Manchester in the late 80s, I was first inspired to want to play the guitar when after hearing the “Knight Rider” theme tune at a very young age. I mistook the synth sounds for guitars! Click here to listen to the original theme, and you may understand why!
It was a number of years after when I first picked up the guitar at the age of 13. After playing the guitar for the first time, I knew that I’d found a lifelong passion. My guitar journey began by taking lessons at school, vastly lead by fusion guitarist Nick Waddecar from Salford MAPAS. These lessons were supported with additional tuition by Jules Bober, a highly skilled local rock guitar player from Salford.
In the early days, I learned styles such as punk rock, classic rock, and the blues. Particular influences at the time being Blink 182, AC/DC (particularly the playing of Angus Young), Status Quo and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
As I delved further into the world of guitar, my music tastes and preferences began to change dramatically. Heavier, progressive and more modern styles of rock and metal began to appeal to me. These are the styles of music that I primarily enjoy to play, perform and write today!
My qualifications
Realising that I wanted to pursue music, I went on to study A level music, music technology and Grade 8 guitar, graduating in 2007. Next was my undergrad in Popular Music and Recording (PMR) from The University of Salford. I graduated from the PMR course with a First Class (1:1) BA(Hons) degree in 2010.
After graduating from my undergrad degree in 2010, I then pursued my PGCE qualification. (PGCE stands for Postgraduate Certificate in Education. A qualification of this kind is a requirement to teach professionally in a school). Once I’d graduated from the PGCE course in 2011, I realised that my passion and skill set lay specifically with the guitar, and guitar teaching. This led to the founding of my teaching business in 2012.
My guitar teaching
Since founding what is now JP School of Contemporary Guitar, I have had the pleasure of accruing and enjoying a vast amount of teaching experience!
Within a year of starting my business, I was working full time as a private guitar teacher. My reputation grew due to the quality of my work, and my care as a private guitar teacher. This lead to delivering lessons based all around Greater Manchester and Cheshire.
Some time later, word made its way over to Halifax. In 2013, I began working for the leading school of a reputable Multi Academy Trust. Word continued to spread, opening the opportunity to work with Calderdale Music Trust (now Calderdale Music, where I still teach and deliver one to one, small group and Rock Band sessions) and other schools through private contracts. With my reputation establishing itself in Halifax, the commute from Salford became unsustainable, meaning relocation to Halifax; initially to Mill Bank, then Greetland, and now Rastrick, where I’m currently based.
In my time teaching, I have attended a vast number of CPD sessions to help bolster my awareness and skills. I have also worked on projects to help enable marginalised children to access music education, and realise cathartic release through music creation. This was in conjunction with Calderdale Music and Changing Tracks, leading to a nationally published case study of my findings and experiences.
Click here to read the report.
I also have a passion for working with learners with neurodiversities, specifically ASD.
My guitar playing experience
I’ve been in a number of bands during my years as a guitar player! Beginning with XenTempus, formed during my time at university. The band played a number of original songs, and also a few very ambitious covers of Dream Theater songs, namely “Honor Thy Father” and “Erotomania”.
Once graduating from Salford University, I played guitar for Liquid Sky for a short while, playing venues in Bradford, Reading, and Manchester. Around this time, I was approached by Collibus, leading to a period of time gigging, and contributing writing and recording ideas with the band.
After working with Collibus, I sought out an opportunity with Megadeth UK, a nationally known tribute act for Megadeth. Again, the band toured venues in Manchester, Liverpool, Nottingham and Great Yarmouth.
All the while of working with Megadeth UK, my teaching work was continuing to develop. The move to Halifax brought my time with the band to its natural conclusion, bringing my full focus to my teaching career.
Since then, I have focussed my attention solely on working privately as a guitar teacher. I also work and within schools, and have most recently been poached by a multi academy trust in Leeds. This has meant that I have played guitar in a number of school theatre productions, specifically in rock productions such as We Will Rock You and Rock Of Ages. Playing in We Will Rock You earned me the title of “Halifax’s Brian May” for a little while!
Despite not being in a band currently, the chapter on my live performing career is far from over. The next steps in my own musical journey are being developed as you read this.
My Certification
- PGCE in Secondary Music Education
- First Class (1:1) BA(Hons) degree in Popular Music and Recording
- Rockschool Grade 8 Guitar (passed with Distinction)
I am also endorsed with an enhanced DBS Certificate and registered with the DBS update service. (The DBS Certificate replaced the CRB Certificate as of 2012. The Disclosure and Barring Service is an amalgamation of the CRB and the ISA)