I have been playing musical instruments for most of my life, having come from a musical family, and have been teaching for over 35 years both in class, ensemble, small group and one-to-one situations.

I am a graduate of the Royal College of Music, one of the top institutions for music education in the country. Though my specialism was the classical guitar, I also studied the piano and violin, and was the first guitarist to be awarded the G.R.S.M.(hons) degree. I have since delved into other styles (banjo tunes, jazz, rock, Celtic folk music, alternate tunings etc.) and other instruments (banjo, melodeon, small-pipes, ukulele, steel pans, flute, saxophone, etc.). I am also a qualified teacher (P.G.C.E. London University Institute of Education) and have held the post of Head of Music at both primary and secondary school level. I am currently writing a Masters thesis on the Bagpipe tradition during the Scottish Enlightenment.

As a musician I have performed throughout England and abroad: as a soloist, in a duo, as part of a small chamber group and in larger choirs and orchestras. I have also published a range of music repertoire and arranged music professionally for a varied range of instruments, for example Paul Brett’s ‘The Compleat Angler’ for 6- and 12-string guitar and chamber group (see YouTube), and my work has been published in respected music magazines such as ‘Melody Maker.

In addition to being active in the music world with arranging and publishing, I continue to perform, not only in formal musical ensembles but also in the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of open mic venues.