ROCK SCHOOL TUTORS Mark Orchin – Course leader Mark is an experienced workshop tutor having spent 6 years working for famous bassist Herbie Flowers as part of the legendary ‘Rockshop’ team. This included tutoring for 5 years at Dartington International Summer School alongside well known musicians such as Herbie, David Bedford and Chris Spedding. Mark recently ran a workshop with Chris Difford from Squeeze at Lewes Old Grammar where he is head of the music department. Mark is the founder member of folk rock band Touchstone and recorded 6 albums with them over the last 25 years, along with being a regular performer here at the Hawth. Mark played with Buddy Guy’s house band at the famous Legend Blues club in Chicago in 1999 and met the great man before going on stage. Mark recently attained a BA Hons music based degree with the Open University and is an experienced guitar and song writing coach with many years experience, and will lead the Hawth Rock School this summer with a team of professional musicians.
Barry Worley – Tutor for guitar and song writing coach I have been teaching professionally for over 20 years. I currently teach guitar at 2 of the leading colleges in the south of England. As a performer, I have worked for over 30 years in various bands including playing bass and touring with chart artist George Macrae, and currently perform as a solo artist. I have vast experience as a session guitarist/bassist in reading bands also recording vocals for the BBC. I have had the honour of being the recipient of many awards for guitar from the Trinity College of Music and I have also had the privilege of playing at the Royal Academy of Music in London. A personal highlight for me was being asked to play and support the legendary American Guitarist Chuck Berry.
Amy Leake – Woodwind tutor Amy Leake started learning clarinet at the age of 12 and then sax at 14 after being inspired by saxophonist Trevor Watts. She began gigging in pubs whilst still at school and went on to study at Chichester College with Bobby Wellins. Amy then continued her studies at Leeds College of Music gaining a BA Hons in jazz studies. Further musical experience followed in London playing for function bands and small jazz groups and teaching saxophone and clarinet. In 2000 she began playing and recording with Trevor Watts and toured many European countries, USA and Canada. She now plays for theatre productions in the South East and with ‘Fat Tuesday’ 2nd Line - a funky New Orleans style street band, and continues to enjoy teaching, particularly in encouraging her students to 'play off the page' and develop their own voice.
Joe MacAllister – Guitar tutor and song-writing coach I have been playing guitar and writing songs since I was 10 years old. Over the years I’ve gigged and recorded in a variety of bands, playing anything from Blues, Folk, Rock, Hip Hop and even Disco. I love playing and encouraging creativity and have taught many pupils over the last 5 years. I am particularly passionate about song-writing and the recording process, and the journey from writing a song in your bedroom to performing to a crowd. My favourite band experience so far has been embarking on a self organised tour of the UK in a Citroen Saxo, organising local radio slots and playing anywhere that would have us. After a summer teaching guitar and song-writing at a camp in America, I also played solo acoustic open mic nights in New York, Austin, Atlanta and Chicago. Music can take you anywhere & Joe is also a newly qualified teacher!
John Sandford – Keyboards and vocal coach John is an experienced keyboard player who can in a variety of styles. Having started off his musical journey as a classical pianist playing from notation, he has since embraced many different styles including jazz, blues, rock 'n roll and folk/country. John performs regularly on keyboards and piano accordion with an Irish folk/country group called ‘Reelstrings’, plus playing keyboards on a recent project with Mark Orchin as members of a rock band Alchemy. Associated keyboard roles include regular organist work at Ditchling parish church and John also played piano accordion on Mike Reinstein's latest album, ‘Long Walk Home’. John works as a Music Teacher at Chailey School and other musical interests include membership of an acapella 6 piece vocal group, ‘No Strings Attached’ and helping to run a successful junior folk band in Bath.
Liam Groves – Drum tutor Liam is a professional drum tutor who works for many schools in the south east including Lewes Old Grammar School. Liam gained a B Mus degree in drumming and coaches many pupils through drum grades as well as running a number of band coaching workshops. Liam has performed with a number of bands in the region and is a specialist in Rock Drumming
Rachel Munro – Singing coach Rachel Munro did a degree in Drama and English at Bristol University. She then went on to gain a postgraduate diploma in Vocal Studies from Trinity College of Music and spent several years performing in regional theatre and London’s West End. In 2008 Rachel Joined the staff at Lewes Old Grammar School, where she now has over 30 singing students and directs the musical theatre show every year. Rachel also runs four choirs at the school, including the LOGS Showchoir, which is making its debut at The Love Supreme Festival later this year. Rachel also has her own Jazz Quartet which has performed in many venues across London and the South East.