Tutor handbook 2009-2010 Contents Page

Ian Sillett - Head of Songwriting

Ian started playing the piano at 5 years old. As a teenager he won the National Yamaha/Times Educational Young Songwriters Award. Finishing his A-Levels Ian won a place at Leeds College of Music where he studied piano until he was offered a place to be the first intake of students at LIPA. Since graduating Ian has been busy as a professional musician, performing, writing and producing. Ian has travelled the world playing concerts and festivals. As a session player he has played for Beverley Knight, Jamelia, Blue and Sugababes and has played alongside such luminaries as Mark



Knopfler, Joan Armatrading and Sir Paul McCartney. Ian is also keyboard module leader for Musicians Channel on SKY TV. He has been signed to Fused & Bruised and East West Records and had publishing with Jimmy Ruffin at Ruffland Publishing Ltd. Ian has composed and orchestrated for film and is now currently co-writing and co-producing a double album for Disney. Ian is also a qualified music teacher having gained a PG Cert HE.







Heidi Berry - Songwriting Tutor

Heidi Berry brings with her an impressive background as a solo recording artist and in music education. As a singer-songwriter she released six albums including an anthology on ultra-hip labels Creation (Oasis, My Bloody Valentine) and 4AD (Pixies, Throwing Muses). Ivo Watts-Russell (founder of 4AD) said of her, “Out of all the records we released on 4AD, Heidi’s are some of the most important”. Tours include Tori Amos, Primal Scream, and Everything but the Girl. Television soundtracks include Dawson’s Creek, Baywatch, and various BBC documentaries. She has over 10 years’ teaching experience and since joining BIMM in 2003 has taught extensively across the school at all levels.





Rob Ellis - Songwriting Tutor

Perhaps Rob’s most widely known work has been that with PJ Harvey, with whom he has collaborated as producer, co-writer, arranger and touring musician from 1991’s debut album “Dry” through to 2005’s “Uh huh her” including co-producing her 2001 Mercury award winning album “Stories from the city, stories from the sea”. In between those sessions and in the meantime Rob has also found time to work with such legendary artists as Scott Walker, Marianne Faithfull, Paul Weller and Robyn Hitchcock along with more contemporary artists such as Goldfrapp, Placebo, Charlotte Hatherley, Dot Allison and Pete Doherty. Rob has released albums of his own compositions on the electronica label Leaf that are in the vein of “modern classical” and which have been used as documentary incidental music for TV and radio stations all over the world





Steve Hillier - Songwriting Tutor

Steve is a Songwriter and Record Producer who’s worked with everyone from Keane to Gary Numan. Having started his career as a DJ and events promoter at the age of fifteen, he has worked with legendary record labels including Food, Parlophone and Factory. Steve is also the founder member and main songwriter of the band Dubstar, who have scored nine top forty singles so far. As well as having international hits with artist such like Bebel Gilberto and Karen Mok, Steve writes on the subjects of songwriting and the music industry for the BBC, Mixbuss and Future Music magazine. Steve’s unique insight into creativity and effective working will be an inspiration to every student.





Chris Difford - Songwriting Tutor

Chris is an internationally renowned songwriter, singer and producer as a member of multi-platinum UK band Squeeze. He has penned numerous classic hits alongside co founding member Glenn Tillbrook, such as Tempted, Pulling Mussels (From the Shell), Up the Junction, Cool for Cats, Annie Get Your Gun and Black Coffee in Bed. Chris has also collaborated with Elton John, Jools Holland, Wet Wet Wet and Marti Pellow amongst many others. He has also released three solo albums to date.

Susan Dodes - Songwriting Tutor

A talent executive with over twenty years of record making experience, Susan has been a constant presence in the US music business. She began her career in New York City, in the International department of the music Publisher Chappell-Intersong. Subsequently, she held talent acquisition positions for Warner Chappell and Famous Music Publishing. She moved on to become Vice President of A&R at MCA/Universal Records and then Sony/ Relativity Records. Through out her career she has signed/worked with artist/songwriters as diverse as Level 42, Cinderella, REM, Paul Young, U2, The Lightening Seeds, Our Lady Peace, and Josh Ritter. Susan has also handled the careers of producers Luke Ebbin (Bon Jovi) and Kipper (Sting, Chris Botti). Now living in London, she has an A&R consulting business and teaches in the Songwriting Department at BIMM.





Ken Rose - Songwriting Tutor

As a songwriter, producer and performer, Ken has been in the music business since he was 18. Ken’s focus is artist development and co-writing for major label and independent acts. Ken works in most musical genres, has shared success with a wide range of writers and artists as well as scoring films and performing live. Ken has been a staff writer for EMI, Warner Music, Famous Music Corp. Some recent credits include scoring / music supervisor / tracks for the film Mr. Right for MTV, tracks on new releases from Jacopo Sarno (EMI), Kasia Kowalska (Universal), Betty Steeles (A&G), and as guitarist on a two year world tour with Marianne Faithfull. Ken believes in the marriage of craftsmanship, creativity, self discovery, and talent development with modern media and is committed to success in the unpredictable climate of the "new" music business. Ken has hosted masterclasses throughout Europe and America.





Martin Wright – Songwriting / LPW Tutor

A former student of Brunel University, Martin has been drumming, singing and producing music for many top artists over the last decade. His list of credits include Ronnie Wood, Slash, Mick Jagger, Beverly Knight, Natalie Imbruglia, Andrea Corr, Days of Worth, Reef, Gary Brooker (Procul Harem), Neol Davies (The Selector). He is currently working with John Hogg (formally of Moke), amongst others and will be putting you through your paces in songwriting classes.





KEYS DEPARTMENT



Nigel Goulding – Head of Keys

Nigel had a hit in 1987 on Warner Brothers with a single he co-wrote with Abigail Mead (Vivian Kubrick) for the Stanley Kubrick film ‘Full Metal Jacket’. The single reached no 2 in the UK top 40 and sold over 250,000 copies in the UK. He has a silver disc in acknowledgment. Since then he has worked on many studio projects ranging from producing white label hardcore dance tracks in the 90’s, co-wrote, produced and played a jazz funk single with a live band released by the record label ‘Mo Wax’ run by James Lavelle, composed an ambient soundscape for an art installation in Scandinavia. He has toured the UK playing keyboards for Pete Astor on Creation Records, toured with an original 7 piece Jazz Pop band, played with numerous other bands and worked as a sound operator in the Whitehall Theatre in London’s West End. Nigel has been teaching keyboards, song writing, production and performance skills at various colleges in London (British Academy of New Music, Redbridge College).

Jason Knight

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Keyboard Tutor and Head of LPW



Jason has been playing keyboards professionally since the age of 15. Specializing in Hammond and Rhodes, he has lent his fingers to a variety of artists such as Reef, Kula Shaker, Sam Obernik and Ian Wills. He has created and produced music for a variety of formats including mobile phones, CD ROMS and computer games. Jason’s toured the world over and performed in headline gigs at V97 and Glastonbury. His session work has taken him on tours supporting the likes of Incubus, Travis, Kula Shaker, Feeder, Smashing Pumpkins, The Corrs, The Charlatans and David Bowie. Jason also teaches at the Concorde 2 in his role as Head of Live Performance Workshop.





Tom Phelan - Keyboard Tutor

Tom has worked extensively in a wide range of contemporary styles. He has a degree in Jazz Studies from Middlesex University. He currently is in Ashley Slater’s new band and that of Paul Roberts (former frontman for the Stranglers). In recent years Tom has played on and written for official UK House remixes for artists such Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Sean Escoffery, and Tribe Called Quest amongst many more. He was also musical director to US soul singer Viola Wills (Barry White, Joe Cocker, George Benson + solo hits). He has just finished co-writing on a Soul/ Electronic album featuring artists such as Frank McComb, Level 42, Natalie Williams, Kenny Thomas and Sean Escoffery. Tom continues to work with a number of Soul, Jazz and Pop artists on a freelance basis.





Nick Nasmyth - Keyboard Tutor

Nick Nasmyth has live and studio experience with a variety of top acts including Manic Street Preachers, The Spice Girls, Mel C, Kylie Minogue and Tom Jones. He has toured the world over covering the USA, Canada, Europe and Asia. Nick has performed on numerous UK television shows such as Top of the Pops, TFI Friday, Later with Jools Holland, White Room, Pepsi Chart, MTV, Saturday Live, Live and Kicking, VH1 and This Morning. He continues to be a highly sought-after player in the industry, and BIMM are proud to have him firmly on board.





LIVE SOUND AND TOUR MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT



Barry Jepson - Head of Live Sound and Tour Management

Barry was founder member of Southern Death Cult (later The Cult). He has also been a promoter rep and tour manager for acts such as Placebo, Green Day, Foo Fighters, Bryan Adams, Nick Cave, Iron Maiden, Kasabian, Ozzy Osbourne, Kaiser Chiefs, Will Young, Tool, Girls Aloud, Rammstein and Brian Ferry. No one knows more about putting a gig on than Barry. Barry will be teaching all Live Sound and Tour Management students the practical side of tour managing and covering areas such as budgets, organising tour schedules and working closely with venue managers.





Darius Kedros – Deputy Head / Live Sound and Tour Management Tutor

Darius is a producer, engineer and composer with 17 years experience in the music industry. He is currently working freelance in music production and live engineering having had his own record deals in the 90’s. He’s the live sound engineer for a great variety of artists including Mystery Jets, Jimmy Somerville, Kathryn Williams, The Sunshine Underground, White Rose Movement, The Bluetones and Gabrielle among others.

Dex Lush - Live Sound and Tour Management Tutor

Dex began his career as a promoter in Newcastle providing early shows for local bands such as Dubstar, Kenickie and Ultrasound. Setting up and managing a merchandise company he toured for a number of years both nationally and internationally. He then decided to pursue a career in management and A&R. There, he worked with such luminaries as Simon Napier Bell and Chris Blackwell. Eventually he set up his own Management, Marketing and Promotions Company, working with many of the great internationally renowned Dance labels, DJ’s and Hip Hop artists.



James Shears – Live Sound and Tour Management Tutor

The newest member of the Live Sound department, James specializes in Live Sound systems and practice. See the BIMM website for more information on James.





MUSIC BUSINESS DEPARTMENT



Jake Shillingford – Head of Music Business

Jake Shillingford, founder of the cult orchestral alternative band My Life Story, released three successful albums and had six top forty singles. Jake started out co-promoting bands in a London club called The Panic Station, booking early shows for The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays and Red Hot Chili Peppers. His band My Life Story went on to collaborate with PJ Proby, Marc Almond, Morrissey, The Wonderstuff and even headlined over Oasis. He now runs his own label and new musical project ExileInside, financed online by investors. Jake is part of the music business team and regularly lectures in the songwriting department.





Simon Lowry - Head of Entrepreneur’s Diploma in Music Business

Simon started music early, playing piano from the age of 3. He has recently produced albums by Rozalla and Cleveland Watkiss and in 2008/9 toured with Rozalla supporting Billy Ocean. Also a qualified Chartered Accountant, Simon was Finance Director of Dave Stewart’s Anxious Records and spent 4 years at Hit & Run Music, looking after the financial affairs of Phil Collins and Genesis before becoming Finance Director of Richard Branson’s newly formed V2 Records. He rejoined Dave Stewart as General Manager of Artist Network in 2002 and helped set up Stage Three Music Publishing in 2004, before deciding to get back to his musical roots with a course in Music Technology at London College of Music & Media. After securing a first class degree in 2007 he was awarded a scholarship to do an MA in Audio Technology, which he completed in 2008. Simon continues to work as a producer, freelance music industry financial consultant and also runs his own independent record label.





Julian Porreca – Music Business Tutor

Jules started playing piano when he was 4 and studied under a number of renowned teachers at the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music. He also achieved a Masters in Engineering at Imperial College London and was one of the first BIMM songwriting graduates. Using his business experience he created two successful music companies specialising in live bands and events. As a professional songwriter Jules recently had a hit with ‘The Day I Died’, a co-write with Just Jack, which reached no. 11 in the UK charts and is currently working on a number of high profile projects. Jules MD’s many theatre productions, regularly performs live on TV and is a highly in-demand MD/keys-player.

Jon Stewart - Senior Academic Lecturer

Jon was the lead guitarist and songwriter for 90’s Brit-Pop stars Sleeper, enjoying 3 UK Top 5 Albums and 9 UK Top 40 singles. Jon has also written and recorded with artists such as KD Lang and Mel C, and has played sessions for multi-hit record producers Stephen Street (Blur) and Damian Le Gassick (Madonna). Jon writes a long-running column on the music business for Guitarist magazine, and also works as a music supervisor for film and TV projects. At BIMM Jon is Head of Music Business Studies/Senior Academic Lecturer and is available for one to one tutorials.





Mel Thomas - Head of Work Based Learning

With over 7 years spent in house at major labels, Mel launched the band All Saints and managed their PR for three years before moving to BMG to work with Simon Cowell on Five and other major pop acts. After 2 years at Way To Blue, the UK’s leading music, film and game online PR company as Head of Press (Travis, Badly Drawn Boy, Basement Jaxx, The Streets) Mel moved to Brighton and set up Stay Gold PR, spending more time working with rock acts, consulting to BMG on Avril Lavigne and Pink (in 04) and music events Great Escape and Guilfet in 06. Mel teaches business to BIMM Professional Diploma (Level 5) and Foundation Degree and is a huge fan of rock music. The role of Head of Work Based Learning sees Mel use her industry contacts to generate work experience opportunities for students at BIMM.





Charlie Pinder - Music Business Tutor

Following his studies at Manchester University Charlie went to work for RCA Records in the A&R department. He then joined Sony Publishing as A&R scout in 1993 and signed over the years, amongst others, Travis, Catatonia, KT Tunstall and Razorlight. In 2000 he was appointed MD. He joined V2 Records as Director of A&R in 2005 and left in 2007 to set up artist management/publishing company Riot Act. "After all these years of working within the political and commercial confines of big companies, I wanted to finally be in control of the whole process and the source of it all – the artists and their music”. Riot Act represents The Shebeats, Alex Cornish and Olafur Arnalds.





Dan Swift – Music Business Tutor

Dan Swift is a producer working at the cutting edge of the UK music scene right now, producing white-hot underground bands such as Art Brut, Untitled Music Project and The Chapman Family, alongside major league artists Snow Patrol and Aqualung. He co-produced Aqualung’s Memory Man which the Sunday Times described as “genuinely ambitious pop” and praised for its “unashamed grandeur.” Art Brut’s album It’s A Bit Complicated, which Dan produced and mixed, was described by NME as having “Painfully brilliant stadium rock tracks.” The Guardian also gave it five stars. Dan produced both albums out of his south London studio SuperSwiftSound as well as mixing and engineering artists such as Snow Patrol, Kasabian and The Futureheads. He has just finished hotly tipped artist Sam Isaac’s debut LP “Bears”, plus NME favourites The Chapman Family’s debut single “The Kids Are Not Alright”.

VISITING FACULTY

Guthrie Govan - Guitar Tutor

Guthrie is widely regarded as one of the world’s finest guitarists, with an incredible stylistic diversity, backed up by a flawless technique. Guthrie won the Guitarist of the Year in 1993 and went on to secure the gig as lead guitarist in prog rock band Asia. He has played alongside legends like Tony Levin, Steve Howe and Vinnie Colaiuta. He writes regularly for Guitar Techniques and Guitarist magazines.





Carleen Anderson - Vocal Tutor

Carleen is a true star and has a talent, pedigree and charisma that is totally unique. Originally Carleen shot to fame as lead singer with the Young Disciples and later Brand New Heavies. Subsequent solo albums with Paul Weller on production duties whilst work with Bryan Ferry and Dr John, confirmed her status as the queen of British Soul. Amazingly she is also the God-Daughter of "The Godfather of Soul" James Brown. Carleen continues her successful solo career whilst being totally committed to teaching - we are privileged to have her with us!





Mark Richardson - Drum Tutor

With multi platinum hit records from all 3 of his bands (Feeder, Skunk Anansie and Little Angels), stadium-level worldwide touring experience, Mark has a CV to envy most drummers in the world. Aged 18 his first ever gig with Little Angels was to 75,000 people at Cardiff Arms Park when they supported Bryan Adams (the next one was 90,000 at Wembley Stadium!). His later works, particularly with his current band Feeder, has seen Mark grow in skill and stature to be a truly world class player. With a powerhouse style similar to the late and great John Bonham, Mark has a wonderful reputation throughout the music business.





Mark Clayden - Bass Tutor

Mark is the man behind a decade of Pitchshifter success; he has recorded 8 albums and toured 23 countries. He has toured with the biggest names in rock and metal including Black Sabbath, Deftones, Incubus, Tool, Ozzy, Staind, Jello Biafra from Dead Kennedys, Taproot, Hundred Reasons, Funeral for a Friend and the Queens of the Stone Age. Mark also runs his own record label, is an experienced tour manager and a founding member of metal supergroup This Is Menace. Mark is also our College Manager at the BIMM Bristol branch.





Paul Englishby - Keyboard Tutor

Paul Englishby is a highly experienced theatre, orchestral, television and film composer whose credits are extensive and renowned. Paul’s theatrical clients have included the Royal National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company and several productions in London’s West End. Paul’s film scores cover national and international productions such as Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (Nicholas Cage, Penelope Cruz), Confetti (Jimmy Carr, Jessica Stevenson), Proof (Anthony Hopkins, Gwyneth Paltrow), Birthday Girl (Nicole Kidman), Charlotte Gray (Cate Blanchett), About A Boy (Hugh Grant) and Blackball (Paul Kaye, Johnny Vegas) to name but a few. Paul is an invaluable visiting faculty tutor and we are very proud to have him on board!