Information About Craig - Hackney teacher

Personal Description:

Since completing my BMus at the University of Hull in 2012, I have been working in London's busy music scene as a professional musician, finding work as a performer, musical director, composer, and tutor.

I have been performing live music since the age of 15, playing many pubs and night clubs in Dublin.

I moved to the University of Hull in 2009 to further my musical knowledge and abilities. I gained a wealth of experience in this time performing with many jazz and pop/rock/soul bands, performing music by Steve Reich and Phillip Glass, in classical guitar ensembles, musical theatre productions such as Rent, Alice in Wonderland & more.

During this time, I also performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for three consecutive years, two of which were complete sell-out shows. For the most recent of these Fringe shows, I was appointed Assistant Musical Director, leading many of the band's rehearsals, which ended up winning a NSDF Commendation for Musicianship. As a means of supporting myself as a student, I earned money as a guitar and music tutor, as well as gigging around the Humber area.

I am now based in London, becoming a part of the local and national music scene, and tutoring around the city. I play mostly in London's jazz venues such as the Vortex, Ronnie Scott's and in local pubs and bars.

My most recent notable work has included -

UK Summer 2013 tour - playing with a corporate band, performing to audiences as big as 2,500 around the country. Throughout this tour, we played a toal of 44 gigs in 2 months.

EarCandy Musical Director - I am leading a jazz band for one of the UK's top agencies, featuring some of London's most exciting jazz artists.

Tutoring Experience:

I have been teaching students for 4 years now. These students have ranged from kids as young as 7, to senior executive adults. I have helped students pass their grade exams and also helped others to achieve their own personal musical goals. I am fully CRB checked, and a member of the Musicians Union.

Tutoring Approach:

My goals with every student are different. You will learn music the way that works best for you, depending on what you want to achieve, which naturally develops over time. Whether you are 8 years old or an adult trying to manage a busy life, whether you want to learn how to play (and understand!) every scale and arpeggio imaginable, or you want to improve your rhythmic and melodic sensibilities, composing and arranging, sight-reading, or simply want to learn your favourite song straight from the record, I will adapt my teaching style to suit you individually.

I cater for, and encourage, students to work through grade exam books (ABRSM, Rockschool, RGT etc.). Whether you wish to take the exams or not, they are well-structured courses designed to help you learn as effectively as possible.

For absolute beginners, I will usually find a text or grade syllabus that best suits your needs. This is to ensure that you have all of the information you need at all times, and so that you can see a clearly structured learning process.

I am always pleased to teach students about Improvisation, Music Theory, Composition, and Arranging.