Hillsound Music School
Our Guitar Teachers
Kieren Aston
Kieran has played guitar since 1993 and has RGT grade 8 and UWLQ Level 4 in music teaching. He has played in bands from 1998 to the presenters, which ranges from original music to covers and has performed live on a regular basis. Kieran is currently the lead guitarist for the heavy metal band The Grudge and has played festivals abroad and regularly gigs in the London area. Primarily self taught and is experienced in playing multiple genres. Kieran has taught privately since 2012 and helped students in basic skills and assisted with preparation for grade examinations. Focusing on beginner/intermediate students. Kieran’s practical knowledge in performance and live situations. He is very patient and will find the best way to express ideas and learning. He has found learning the guitar a source of confidence and enjoyment. Which helps his students achieve their goals in music. Teaching approach is help students in the future develop their own musical voice and expression. Kieran wants to develop a strong foundation in knowledge and technique in all students he teaches. While making learning enjoyable.
Charlotte Barrow
Charlotte has been a teacher of guitar and ukulele for over 15 years. She completed a Higher Diploma in Popular Music Performance in 2008, and a Bachelor’s of Music degree at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance in London in 2012. Since then, she has taught guitar and ukulele as a private instrumental teacher, and recently graduated with a PGCE in Secondary School Music from Roehampton University. She currently teaches full-time as a music teacher in a local secondary school, and still continues to teach privately as an instrumental tutor. Her performance career is rich in a variety of genres and experiences. She has performed extensively in rock and pop groups in venues inside and outside of London, these include: The Water Rats, The 12-Bar, The Chrome Bar. And festivals including Bulldog Bash in Stratford-upon-Avon. She has also performed at local Spanish tapas restaurants as a flamenco guitarist, and visited Seville on multiple occasions to complete flamenco guitar courses. She recently formed a folk band where she sang, played guitar and recorder, on performances of English and Irish folk songs. As well as this, she also was part of the Kingston Orpheus Choir and completed and workshops and singing performances with the Mediaeval Baebes. She continues to develop her skills as a musician and teacher, and form bands and continue to perform.
Jess Turner
Jess has over 20 years experience teaching vocals & acoustic guitar and has trained with a number of music institutions over the years . Being mainly self taught though has given her a unique approach to teaching which works well with students, children & adults who are less interested in passing music grades but want to understand vocal techniques or learn the guitar in order to gain confidence, have fun in both models & learn popular songs across most genres & styles. Jess has helped many students that struggle with various learning difficulties, are neuro diverse or have anxiety issues. She recently completed a course in "Understanding Children & Young Peoples Mental Health". As a musician Jess was involved with a London based original rock band "QTone" for over 10 years, playing in many venues regularly across the UK & in Europe including some festivals. She also has extensive experience playing in various cover bands & acoustic duos in local pub venues & for private events. Over lockdown Jess & her Husband, along with many other local musicians were involved in "Rockin the Lockin" doing online gigs in order to raise money for local charities. & most recently recording some of her own material with a view to releasing as a new project & returning to live gigging her original material later this year.
Pete Wright
Biog to follow