GUITAR

Graduate in music with many years of experience in guitar playing. Proficient on both electric and acoustic guitar. Ben believes the best way to learn is to always enjoy yourself and keep an open mind when it comes to music. Whether you would like to learn to play your favourite songs or dive into the theoretical side of music, Ben is happy to take you through the wonderful journey of learning the guitar!

Ben’s regular day at Core Music is Thursday

GUITAR

I have worked as a professional musician and tutor for over 30 years specialising in all styles of guitar. As well as performing and working with bands I enjoy writing and recording and have studied music to degree level. Over the years I have taught thousands of students of all ages and levels in workshops, groups and individual one to one lessons.

I look forward to helping you on your musical journey at Core music whether it is learning songs, technique, reading, theory or improvisation on acoustic or electric guitar.

Craig’s regular day at Core Music is Tuesday

DRUMS

Dan received his first drum kit 30 years ago and has been actively performing and recording in and around the North East and the U.K. ever since. Dan began teaching in 2008 and currently also teaches in schools in Tynedale and the surrounding area. Whether its grade certificates you’re looking to work towards or simply a new hobby, Dan can accommodate your needs.

Dan’s regular days at Core Music are Wednesday & Thursday

GUITAR, MANDOLIN, UKULELE, PIANO

Dean is a musician and songwriter that is currently working on his own musical output following years of playing for and working with others. His career so far has seen him tour the United States, Europe and the UK with a variety of artists from a range of genres, while complimenting things with studio session work, theatre and of course teaching. He has taught guitar for 11 years from beginners all the way through to advanced touring players. While teaching and loving all styles of music, Dean specialises in blues, country and rock guitar styles.

Dean’s regular day at Core Music is on Thursday

SINGING

Elle began singing and performing at a young age and showed a particular interest in performing arts, which she later in life studied at college then also gained a first-class degree in music with the university of West London. She has performed in festivals such as Corbridge music festival, Durham’s Fire and Ice festival and has had successfully auditioned for theatre productions and singing competitions landing her the role of ‘Joanna’ in Sweeney Todd and making it through to the finals of ‘Open mic’ competition at the age of 16. She now has been teaching contemporary singing for the past seven years whilst she continues with her performing alongside. Elle has a flexible and friendly teaching approach and teaches all ages from 5-60+ and any ability. 

In the lessons you may learn any contemporary style of singing including; Pop, Musical theatre, Jazz, rock, country and blues. 

You can study any ‘Rockschool’ Grade up to grade 8 and ‘ABRSM’ up to Grade 5 (or 8 if you choose to do the performance grade). 

Lessons also include- general vocal technique and health, performance skills and repertoire building, music theory and songwriting techniques. 

Elle is currenly on materity leave from Core Music

Saxophone/Flute

/Clarinet/Recorder

Evan is a passionate and dedicated woodwind teacher with a deep love for music and a commitment to nurturing the talents of all musicians. Evan attained a Bachelor of Music (Bmus) degree with Honors in Jazz from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Graduating with a 2:1, Evan honed his skills and developed a strong foundation in jazz, whilst also having a strong interest in a variety of styles and also teaching graded exams.

Evan is also a member of The Baghdaddies and performs with experimental pop musician Imogen.

Evan’s regular day at Core Music is Tuesday

DRUMS

Fran is a performer, educator, composer and recording musician. Since earning an Ethnomusicology MA in 2014 she has drummed her way around the world with physical theatre show Spark!, plays live with numerous artists and songwriters from across the UK, and is one half of the experimental accordion and percussion duo Amy Thatcher & Francesca Knowles. Fran has taught drums since 2009 to people of all ages and abilities, and brings an energy and enthusiasm to her lessons which she hopes will inspire in her students a shared passion for music-making.

Fran is currently teaching the Rockschool syllabus - from Debut to Grade 8, and is also open to other syllabuses such as Trinity Rock & Pop, as well as tailoring lessons to individuals who want to learn songs/techniques without pursuing grades.

Fran’s regular day at Core Music is Tuesday

DRUMS

Hello! I have been teaching drum kit for 14 years and feel just at home with absolute beginners as I do with advanced/experienced players. Having been taught by one of the north east's legendary drum educators myself, Geoff Hutchinson, I know how to get results. I also have a Certificate of Higher Education in Popular Music Practice and first class degree honours in Music from Newcastle University.

Whatever your objectives are - learning to play some of your favourite songs, attaining music grades, making a career from music, getting into a conservatoire, perfecting and improving established skills - I will help you get there in a fun and rewarding way.

All music genres and examining boards are covered.

My passion is music - sharing, teaching, performing, composing and recording. I've been lucky enough to have many amazing experiences as a player in many bands and projects playing stages across the country (and even a short tour of the Czech Republic!)

I'm excited to be a part of your journey too.

Georges’s regular days at Core Music are Monday to Saturday, 6 days per week!

GUITAR

Hi my name is Graham, I have a BA Jazz (Hons) from Leeds College of Music and I have played and written music in various original bands for the last 20 years.

I am happy to teach all ages and most guitar styles including jazz, rock and acoustic fingerstyle, teach any grades or just go with whatever style you are passionate about!

Graham is currently on paternity leave from Core Music and planng to return in September 2024

PIANO

I have been teaching and performing piano for over twenty five years. A graduate in music specializing in classical and Jazz genres but I enjoy many different styles. I have worked as an accompanist for choirs and soloists in the UK and abroad. I like to encourage my pupils to develop their improvisational skills as well as their classical studies. I enjoy teaching all abilities and ages and have much experience and success with entering pupils for examinations.

Heather’s regular days at Core Music are Tuesday & Wednesday

GUITAR, UKULELE

Joe is a musician with a wide range of experience in a variety of contexts. He is primarily a jazz musician, having studied at Birmingham Conservatoire.

Joe has performed across the UK with British jazz greats such as Arnie Somogyi, Ross Stanley, and Andy Panayi, at venues such as the ‘Love Supreme’, Newcastle jazz festival among others.

Joe’ teaching emphasises enjoyment and catering structured lessons to individuals. He teaches a number of graded syllabi, including Rockschool, RGT, Trinity, and LCM.

Joe’s regular days at Core Music are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday

BASS GUITAR, DOUBLE BASS, PIANO

Katy is a multi-instrumentalist based in Newcastle, having moved there to study the BMus in Jazz, Popular and Commercial Music in 2010. Since graduating she has worked extensively as a musician, session player, tutor, composer and arranger in a wide range of genres. This has included performing and recording on bass guitar, double bass and sousaphone with artists such as Maximo Park, The Baghdaddies, Beccy Owen and Backyard Rhythm Orchestra.

With over a decade of teaching under her belt and an eagerness to share her passion for music, Katy is offering piano lessons for beginners, and bass lessons for all ages and abilities. Whether you’re new to the instrument or want to improve on certain aspects of your playing, lessons are tailored to each pupil’s individual needs, and topics can include: technique, improvising, music theory, sight reading, ear training, working towards grade exams, building repertoire and strengthening rhythmic skills. She works with the intention of finding the elements of music that really excite the student, so that they can practice with enthusiasm and make progress fast while having fun.

Katy’s regular day at Core Music is Monday

CLASSICAL GUITAR, RENAISSANCE AND BAROQUE LUTE

In a teaching career spanning almost 40 years, Martin has inspired hundreds of students, from young children and complete beginners to young professionals at the outset of their careers.

As a performer, he has developed a special interest in early plucked instruments including the lute, baroque guitar and vihuela.

During the COVID lockdown, he has been offering online lessons using Zoom, FaceTime and Skype from his home studio equipped with high quality microphones and a dual webcam system, and looks forward to teaching face to face at Core Music as soon as normal life resumes!

Martin’s regular days at Core Music are Monday, Tuesday & Saturday

PIANO

I am a Freelance professional music teacher specialising in piano and music theory, with extensive experience, working with students of all ages and abilities.

I have taught for over 40 years preparing students for instrumental and theory ABRSM exams with 100% success.

I teach from beginner to diploma level and also offer extra help for GCSE and A level students in performance and composition exam preparation.

Mary’s regular days at Core Music are Monday, Thursday & Saturday

SINGING

Mary started singing in her teens and continues to sing in many concerts and recitals al over the world. She has had a long career as a singing teacher in schools and colleges. Mary is the Study Leader in Singing at Sage Gateshead Young Musicians Programme in which she coaches the most talented young singers in the north-east.

Mary’s regular days at Core Music are Monday and Friday

VIOLIN

Niles is an experienced, enthusiastic and genre-spanning multi-instrumentalist specialising in American roots music on the fiddle (violin), mandolin and guitar. He currently tours with Newcastle-based progressive bluegrass band The Often Herd and alternative singer/songwriter Liam Fender, while also lending his skills to several other artists as a session musician. As a tutor, he regularly leads group sessions for all ages at Core Music, The Glasshouse (formerly Sage Gateshead), Newcastle University and other venues throughout the North East and has also delivered workshops at Sore Fingers Summer School and various folk and bluegrass festivals throughout the UK and Northern Europe.

While Niles is most often seen playing bluegrass/country on the fiddle, his musical interests encompass a wide spectrum of styles and he has worked on projects that incorporate folk, blues, pop, rock, classical and improvisation. He is happy to explore any of these styles with his students and share techniques that bring the music to life!

Niles’ regular day at Core Music is Wednesday

GUITAR

Since his beginnings in the North East of England, Rupert Hughes has performed across Britain and Europe playing traditional bluegrass, folk, self-penned rock and everything in-between.

Not only does musicality and harmonic input rank highly amongst Rupert's values, he also appreciates the need for visual construct and sees performance as a multi-dimensional aspect, not just reserved for the ears. As well as performing across the Continent with The Often Herd, Rupert has also led instrument specific and full-ensemble workshops focusing on getting the best from your instrument, technical skills, and performing.

Rupert’s regular days at Core Music are Wednesday & Thursday

DRUMS

My passion for drumming started when I was eleven, way back in 2007 when I listened to bands such as Green Day, Foo Fighters, My Chemical Romance…any band that had a great drummer. Fast-forward eight years and I attended university at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford, where I studied drum performance and graduated with a first-class honours degree.

I currently gig, write and record drums in and around the Newcastle/Northumbria area with the same passion I had for the kit as when I was eleven.

Sion’s regular days at Core Music are Monday and Friday