Teaching
Gary currently teaches guitar and bass guitar privately, teaching the Trinity College grades and the Mel Bay program. He teaches in high schools throughout North Lanarkshire (S1-S6) as an instrumental instructor, and has tutored evening classes in Motherwell College for beginner and intermediate guitar players. He is also part of the innovative New Opportunities Fund throughout North Lanarkshire - a series of classes aimed at providing free, quality education and instruments to school children.
As an instrumental instructor, Gary is familiar with the schools curriculum, and teaches bass guitar, guitar, double bass and music theory. He is responsible for preparing school music pupils for their practical standard grade and higher exams, and for their development as musicians - in both individual and group settings.
Gary has assisted tuition at Napier University Jazz Saturday school, and at the Napier University summer school, assisting course co-ordinator Eddie Severn, and other leading instructors. He has taught in a number of local music workshops, and has experience in teaching all age groups and ability levels - from as young as seven to senior citizens; from beginners to advanced pupils.
Unlike some older music tutors, Gary has a fresh and energetic approach to music, and a passion to continue learning and passing on his acquired skills to other generations of musicians.
Musical Qualifications
Postgraduate Diploma in Jazz Music Performance and Light Music
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Performance
Approximately 70 Scotvec modules, from Record production to Research and Management Skills
Informal Open Learning qualifications in Music Business and Musical Composition
Gary has studied the bass guitar privately with two different tutors: Pete Honeyman, and S.N.J.O. bassist Mario Lima Caribe
Gary has studied Composition with John Kielehor, Commercial Composition and Arranging with Kennedy Aichison, Composition and Arranging for Big Band with Adrian Drover, and Score Copying with Pamela McLean