Instructors

Alex began playing the guitar at age 16, and has been playing the guitar professionally since 1993, with a natural inclination towards rock and metal music. He studied for 3 years at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance.

Since 2001 he commenced a professional career in the new wave of British Extreme Metal with UK & European live performances, studio recording sessions, with his own band Abgott and as session musician in different genres. His personal commitment to music has led him to radio performances, international guitar clinics in the style of rock and metal and writing music for theatre, gaining attention from national media, magazines: Metal Hammer, Kerrang, Terrorizer, Rock Sound, Power Play, Zero Tolerance; radios: BBC1, Total Rock Radio; television: The Pit TV.

Since 2006, he gained a full artist endorsement with Cort Guitars, which provide him with top of the range quality instruments and stability on any sort of performance he is challenged with. He also gained a premium position as Music Teacher.co.uk.

In 2007, Alex was appointed by The National Health Society - Psychiatric Department, as tutor for youngsters with special needs. He was also appointed by Mr. Rob Jenkinson CBBC Producer / Director, as rock expert and trainer for one his young guitar student in his TV show.

As well as teaching guitar, music theory & harmony, Alex works with students who want to compose their own music or start to work as music teachers themselves. With his experience as composer, rhythm and soloist guitarist, also with experience in professional in public and private recording he provides advices on the most advanced rock and metal guitar techniques and in producing music.

Alex currently teaches at the school on Monday, Thursday and Sunday - Please enquire for times and availability for this tutor

Alex has been teaching at S.E.M.S for the past 4 years. During this time, he has taught guitarists & bassists of all levels and ages, across a variety of styles, though mainly ROCK and METAL, but also including, jazz, funk, reggae, pop & classical.

Alex's students encompass all ages and abilities, from teenagers, to working professionals, to pensioners. Many of them have recorded demos, produced their own music and started to play live shows in UK.

Presently, Alex is about to release his fourth extreme metal release with Abgott, and is currently working on his first rock metal solo album, teaming up with some of the most prominent rock musicians in Great Britain. He has just been awarded the accolade of leading musician of the UK extreme metal music scene 2009 from `Terrorizer'® Magazine (Louise Brown) and `Metal Hammer'® Magazine (Dom Lawson). His new coming album will also be released in Japan in the coming new year 2010.

Alex currently teaches at the school on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Please email or contact us on 020 8680 9747 for times and availability for this tutor

Born in Milan, Italy in 1980, Andrea has been raised in a musical family. He has come in contact with different instruments since he was born as his father plays clarinet and saxophone, but the one that really attracted his attention was the electronic organ, where Andrea learned to play by ear as well as read music by himself whilst he was still in primary school.

Since then music has played a considerable part in his life, a passion that accompanied him in his formative years in Milan, Rome and now here in the UK.  Despite a strict classical upbringing in the discipline of Piano during his study years, Andrea developed an interest for other “sounds” and is very open to listening to and playing/experimenting with different styles and genres.

Andrea ensures that he incorporates within his teaching programme, pieces and music styles that his students propose, and to introduce improvisation and composition too.

Andrea thoroughly enjoys passing on not only his knowledge, but especially his passion for music, and finds teaching an extremely rewarding career.  Whilst he is happy to adapt his lessons to students needs and tastes, from young children to mature players, and to those who wish to play purely for fun, he is equally keen for his students who wish to, to acknowledge their own advancements and recognise their achievements by preparing them for graded examinations.  But he is convinced that this process should still be enjoyable and satisfying, with the main objective to develop individuals musical awareness to enrich their lives....

Andrea currently teaches at the school on Monday and Wednesday. Please email or contact us on 020 8680 9747 for times and availability for this tutor

David began playing the piano at age 6, and has been playing the bass professionally since 1989. He studied for 7 years at the school of renowned bassist, composer & tutor Joe Hubbard. It was at Joe's school that he was award the title of Bass Player of the Year.

Having written music for short film & TV, his time now is divided between a number of projects: Since 1989 he has been the Musical Director of Living Word Christian Fellowship. Other projects range from production work (Word of Mouth Music), working with vocalists, ranging from beginners to professionals, playing bass with producer Ian Copeland Green, and bass duties with jazz groups; Timeline, The Kelvin Christiane Quartet and The Soul Jazz Collective, with whom he has a residency at The Hare in E2.

With experience of teaching GCSE Music in Schools, David also gives freelance advice & recording assistance to GCSE students.

David has been teaching at SEMS for the past 6 years. During this time he has taught bassists of all levels and ages, across a variety of styles including, jazz, funk, r&b, reggae, pop & classical.

As well as teaching piano, music theory & harmony, some for ABRSM grades, David works with students who want to compose their own music. Much of David's teaching also encompasses the use of computer music software. 

David's vocal students encompass all ages and abilities, from school children, to working professionals, to pensioners. Many of them want to record demos or prepare audition pieces, or to develop technique for choirs or GCSE performances. David has also worked with students, recommended by speech therapists.

David currently teaches at the school on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Please email or contact us on 020 8680 9747 for times and availability for this tutor

David started playing the organ for church services and choral conducting while still at school and after graduating from Trinity College and London University he was appointed Head of Music at Rutlish School in Wimbledon.

David has been active in the entertainment industry, acting as MD for many shows and productions. He regularly provided scores and arrangements for film promotion and advertisements, at the same time preparing music for the popular TV shows “New Faces” and “Opportunity Knocks”.

David Bevan has been teaching music for nearly 40 years and has taught at least 90,000 individual lessons. Many of his students have continued their studies at University and others have enjoyed successful careers as musicians, often travelling the world.

David teaches piano, keyboard and organ and also prepares candidates in sight reading and ear tests. The Theory of Music is a speciality and he can take students through all the graded exams including teaching and performance diplomas.

David has considerable experience with students who have special requirements and teaches deaf and severely hearing impaired pupils as well as those who require therapeutic help with physical problems. He has been an adjudicator at music festivals and was for several years an examiner for graded exams and degree students in performance studies for several music colleges. 

David currently teaches at the school on Fridays. Please email or contact us on 020 8680 9747 for times and availability for this tutor

Mark began playing the guitar at age 12, and has been playing the guitar professionally since 1990. He spent 5 years playing fulltime with various bands performing all over the country.

Having been with SEMS for over 6 years, Mark teaches all ages and abilities, across a variety of styles including, blues, soul, country, rock and pop.

As well as teaching acoustic and electric guitar, bass and music theory, Mark has entered over 100 students to date through the RGT (Registry of Guitar Tutors) exam syllabus, again with exceptional pass rates. Mark provides expertise with solo artists who want to improve their overall performance techniques as well as helping them with song writing. He also assists in the preparation of audition pieces and in recording demo tracks for college/Uni entrants.

Mark also provides extra-curricular tuition to GCSE students. His ability to assist students in developing technique for GCSE performances has proved invaluable. He has taught for 5 years as a peripatetic teacher within state secondary schools, and has achieved exceptional pass rates with his pupils, many achieving A grades. 

Mark currently teaches at the school on Saturday and Sunday. Please email or contact us on 020 8680 9747 for times and availability for this tutor

Mike has taught at the school since 2001. He teaches students of all ages from beginner to advanced. He is comfortable teaching in a wide variety of styles on guitar and bass and is able to construct a teaching syllabus unique to each student based on their individual goals, covering all aspects of playing and musicianship. This includes subjects such as technique, fretboard knowledge, improvisation, rhythm, theory, composition and repertoire, sight-reading and ear training. He is also happy to teach grades 1 - 8 with either the Rockschool or RGT grading systems.

Alongside his busy teaching schedule Mike is a working musician with regular gigs and recording dates with signed and un-signed artists. This has led to numerous radio and T.V sessions including a recent appearance with Sir Tom Jones. His compositions have been featured on various T.V commercials such as Mitsubishi and Grolsch. He has also recently been involved with playing guitar for Cerys Matthews (Catatonia). 

Mike currently teaches at the school on Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday. Please email or contact us on 020 8680 9747 for times and availability for this tutor

Russ began playing the guitar at the relatively late age of 14, after being inspired by Richard Smith playing in school assembly he purchased his first guitar for £25, a Chuck Berry style Antoria, and began learning from records by Eric Clapton and later, rockers such as Guns `n' Roses. After about a year, having shown his parents he was prepared to stick at it and show some commitment, Russ began lessons with local Jazz legend Brian Smith and stayed with him for some years. In the meantime, Russ had formed a band and played regularly in The Cartoon and other venues in and around Croydon.

After leaving school, Russ began work in London's notorious Denmark Street and took his band further into London's higher profile venues where his band began turning heads, and having been featured in Kerrang! Magazine pushed them to the decision to take their sound to Europe where they toured extensively. Settling in Italy, Russ began making a name for himself, appearing on Italian television and commencing his teaching of both Guitar and English. After just over a year and the release of an album, the band returned to England and picked up where they left off, touring again from Kent up to Newcastle.

In 1994, Russ appeared on his band's second release, `Create from Beyond' and continued to push his band forward, gaining much interest from the record industry before finally deciding to settle to teaching in 1998.

Having taught all ages and abilities extensively both privately and in Schools, Russ has accumulated a vast amount of teaching experience over the last 15 years and his teaching programme incorporates most styles of acoustic and electric guitar, specializing in Rock, Blues and Pop. Russ also teaches ukulele and electric bass.

Continuing to write and record his music both with his band and solo, Russ joined South End Music School in 2003 where he does most of his teaching through the week and at weekends.

Russ currently teaches at the school on Monday, Saturday and Sunday. Please email or contact us on 020 8680 9747 for times and availability for this tutor

With over twenty years performing, recording writing and producing in the music industry, Steve Dunning brings a wealth of professional experience to South End Music School. He has toured the world with artists such as with the John Lawton Band, Misha Calvin and Jonathan Kalb, building an impressive library of recorded output . His credits include;

The Lawton/Dunning Project
`Steppin' It Up' (Classic Rock productions 2002)
`One more night' (Live CD and DVD recorded at the Mean Fiddler 2002)
Hensley/ Lawton Band
`Salisbury' (Live Video)
John Lawton Band
`Sting in the Tale'(Classic Rock productions,2003)
`Shakin' The Tale'(Live CD and DVD 2004)
Misha Calvin`Evolution', `Evolution 2',`Riff man' (Vienna Records)
Band of Holy Joy `Love Never Fails' (Rough Trade 2001)
Jonathan Kalb Blues Band `Shadow of a Man' (2000)

He has also worked as a full-time sound engineer at Mill Hill Studios and graduated from Basstech, having achieved a First Class BMus in Popular Music Performance,as well as being awarded the honour of 'Best Bassist 2005-6'.  Since then, Steve has just successfully completed (late 2009) a Masters degree in Popular Music Performance at Thames Valley University, having been awarded an Mmus.

As part of the Active Sensing Music Production team, Steve has composed and recorded music for Sky Sports, radio and TV advertising campaigns, and is now writing a book of guitar and transcriptions featuring classic rock hits.

Specialising in rock music, Steve is equally in demand as a bass and guitar tutor. However, his versatile musical repertoire also includes jazz, blues, soul and funk. In addition to instrumental instruction, his lessons have included tips on songwriting, stagecraft, musical theory and studio technique.

An enthusiastic, friendly and empathetic tutor, Steve Dunning always encourages his students to enjoy their lessons while they learn the gift of music. 

Steve currently teaches at the school on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Please email or contact us on 020 8680 9747 for times and availability for this tutor

Victoria commenced playing piano at the tender age of 7, and has thoroughly absorbed her life in and around music ever since. Since graduating from the BRIT school (British Record Industry Trust…) she worked as part of a Public Relations team within the music industry. Having experienced the `other side' of the music business, and its demands, Victoria took the decision to leave this part of the industry and having gained with distinction, an ATCL Teaching Diploma from the Trinity College, embarked on a long held ambition to teach the Piano. Since then she has amassed considerable experience over the last 8 years as a peripatetic teacher within primary and secondary schools, and more recently, divides her busy schedule between running her own private teaching practice and teaching here at South End Music School, coupled with occasional gigs and performances during her spare time.

Victoria teaches both Piano and Keyboard, she also coaches students in preparation for Music Theory exams and Performance grades, including sight-reading and ear tests. She has an exemplary record with her students' exam results, maintaining an impressive 100% pass rate to date.

Victoria's teaching styles are wide and varied, and she adapts her approach to the needs of each student with enthusiasm and great care. Equally comfortable teaching ages from 6 to 80, Victoria caters for a wide range of musical genres and ensures that the musical tastes of each pupil are incorporated into each lesson. 

Victoria currently teaches at the school on Thursday and Friday. Please email or contact us on 020 8680 9747 for times and availability for this tutor