Ray Jones
Saxophone, Clarinet & Akai Windsynth Tutor
At 14, Ray studied at Poulton School of Music under Dougie Drake, then privately under Leo Robson. Ray joined the Royal Air Force Music Services at the age of 18 and toured all over the world playing for Royalty and Heads of State. He also played for cup finals and England at Twickenham and the old Wembley stadium. After leaving the RAF, Ray played for two years at the Ice Drome and Horseshoe Bar at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. In the 80’s he joined Rakes Parade Jazz Band and Rock ‘n’ Roll band FBI from 1987-1994. In 1995 he studied computers, music and film at the University of Wales at Wrexham and since 1998 to this present day, Ray has teamed up with former pupil Ray Williams to form Hip Hip 2 Rays, a Jazz, Swing and Soul Duo.
Mark Holt
Brass, Theory & Conducting Tutor
Mark was brought up around Bradford and started playing the cornet aged 10 at school. He quickly progressed to playing with local brass bands on both cornet and then flugelhorn. After a visit to his senior school by the then Regimental Band of The 4/7 Royal Dragoon Guards he was taken with the idea of performing music as a career opportunity. After studying under Philip McCann and James Shepherd at the renowned Huddersfield Music College and still playing in his local brass band, he briefly worked in the banking industry before taking the first step towards a military career. After a successful audition and selection process Mark completed his basic training and was posted to his first band in Germany. It was at this band that he got his first taste of performing to large audiences at the Waldbuhne (world stage).
Associated the theory of music to the practical application. With this in mind, he has developed an initial strategy for teaching brass, theory and conducting at BMA. As a keen and enthusiastic musician with over 30 years of playing experience and 22 years of professional music making, Mark is very much looking forward to working with BMA and building on its already fine reputation.
Stephen Austin
Piano, Keyboard & Organ Tutor
Born in Taplow, Buckinghamshire. Holds a Teaching Certificate (Cert Mus) and Fellowship with Honours from the Independent Contemporary Music Awards (ICMA). Stephen started playing piano aged 8, followed by classical organ and theatre organ. Stephen is a calm individual with a strict teaching style. Stephen played the organ in Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral, he adjudicated the piano and organ section at the prestigious ICMA music festival and gave an impromptu concert at Norway’s beautiful Voss Cathedral in the early eighties.
Richard Lunt
Ukulele
Richard is Blackpool born and raised and grew up on a constant stream of summer shows, he started going aged five and hasn’t stopped. That was several decades ago now! Music and entertainment is something he always wanted to do. He mainly teaches ukulele (all styles/sizes), tenor guitar/banjo, harmonica and have even been known to teach people how to play the spoons.
Caroline Cooper
Keyboards
Richard is Blackpool born and raised and grew up on a constant stream of summer shows, he started going aged five and hasn’t stopped. That was several decades ago now! Music and entertainment is something he always wanted to do. He mainly teaches ukulele (all styles/sizes), tenor guitar/banjo, harmonica and have even been known to teach people how to play the spoons.
Other Tutors
- Chloe Hart – vocalist
- Glenn Armitage – drums
- Joe Hughill – drums
- John Clare – piano
- John Mcalpine – guitar acoustic/electric and ukulele
- Leanne Farrer – piano/keyboard and vocalist
- Lynne Fox – keyboard/piano and vocalist
- Mark Holt – brass – limited space
- Willy Fluss – guitar – acoustic/electric