Guitar lessons in Blackpool

ABOUT BLACKPOOL MUSIC SCHOOL September 2008, Blackpool Music School registered charity was born. This helped secure future funding for the community, and the BMACIC became the trading arm for the charity. In 2008, Phil Roberts came on board and exams were introduced. Students have the choice whether they wish to study for one. For guitar and percussion, the ‘Rock School’ syllabus is followed and for keyboard, piano and organ, either the ABRSM or ICMA syllabus is favoured. In 2010 the Academy also commenced outreach work in Blackpool with the MIND Organisation, and more recently, helping care-home residents learn the keyboard. The Academy also helps the deprived and disabled with music therapy sessions including vocals, guitar, and keyboard. Always looking to improve and develop, John decided to relocate the BMACIC to its own premises. In 2011, with the help of Roy White, a £200,000 investment and the help of the Social Enterprise Loan Fund, the Academy invested in its own premises, with off-street parking, on Waterloo Road in Blackpool. However, tragedy struck in April 2011, when Phil died of leukaemia. Such was Phil’s dedication to the academy; he was still teaching his students two days up to his death. The newly acquired premises was derelict and required a lot of work to bring it up to scratch, both inside and outside. It also needed work to comply with Health & Safety and Fire Regulations. The building costs would be enormous, and so, with finances stretched to the limit, John decided to make some phone calls to seek some free legal advice about the mortgage. After phoning more than 20 solicitors, who either declined to help or simply return his call, John got a positive response from Banks Carrington Solicitors in Blackpool town centre. Not only did they give John the free advice he was seeking, but also helped him set up the mortgage agreement and waived the legal fees. Boosted by this act of generosity, John went on a mission to approach local businesses to appeal for any products, materials, and labour to help transform the new premises into an academy to be proud of. To his amazement, 48 local businesses generously donated materials worth £45,000 to the academy! On the back of this overwhelming support from the local business community, the BMACIC, along with the Blackpool Music School charity, opened the doors to their new home on Waterloo Road in June 2012. The academy offers facilities to bands for recording video and music, a conference room with projector, stair lift, disabled toilet, and Coffee Shop. The building is also used for community events, such as Sing-along sessions. The academy shop sells various musical instruments and strings. Qualifications:

Gary Heyes is an experienced, professional guitar tutor and multi-instrumentalist and has successfully taught many students over a number of years. Starting from the age of 11 Gary has been playing guitar, keyboards, bass and drums in various bands and in the studio. His first love has always been the guitar and in 2009 he gave up an established career as a lawyer to pursue his ambition to become a full-time guitar teacher. Gary also currently teaches guitar at both primary and secondary schools. He is, therefore fully DBS (formerly CRB) checked. Gary has extensive experience teaching children of all ages and is particularly patient and encouraging with beginners, children and adults alike. He covers most areas of music including pop, rock, funk, metal and indie. His teaching is based on learning to play the type of music his students want to play. “If my students want to learn Justin Bieber songs, then that is what I will teach them, or if they prefer death metal or Argentinian sea shanties, then that’s what we’ll do” says Gary. Gary will travel to students homes if required or deliver lessons from his dedicated home studio. Music Qualifications & Achievements: 40 years playing experience in a wide variety of musical styles.

My approach to music teaching is student centred. What interests you? What do you want to learn about? What motivates you? My music interests, knowledge and skills are very broad. I have studied music from a wide range of cultures and genres. I am a multi-instrumentalist, and play piano/keys, guitar/bass/ukulele, singing/choral, drum-kit/congas/djembe/samba/gamelan, but don't expect any virtuoso performances. Qualifications: PGCE Secondary Music, Music A Level (B), ABRSM Jazz Piano (Grade 4) RSL Music Production Grade 6