Guitar

We offer tuition on electric, acoustic and bass guitar, in a range of styles from rock to classical. The minimum age taught is 6 years old and tuition is given by Wally McGill, Martin Craggs, Simon Dawson and Liam Gaughan.

Wally McGill (Guitar, Slide Guitar & Bass Guitar)

Wally is a self-taught musician and has gained an enormous wealth of experience playing in semi-professional and professional bands of all styles since the age of 17. (He won’t admit how long that is!) Wally has earned great respect as a working guitarist in the North-East, and is in great demand as a teacher since starting in 1977. He writes and records his own material in his recording studio and has worked at the NMC since we opened in 1996.

Martin Craggs (Guitar)

Martin’s musical training began with the violin at the age of seven and continued with the guitar from the age of fourteen, playing in several bands working the club circuit in the Cleveland area. After gaining an HND in Applied Music at Newcastle College, Martin went on to take the Trinity College Performers certificate, passing with one of the highest marks ever recorded (92%). He then added to his list of qualifications with an ATCL diploma and is currently working towards an AMusTCL.

Simon Dawson BA (Hons) CT ABRSM (Guitar)

Simon has been playing guitar and piano since the age of 10 and went on to study music at the University of Wales in Bangor, graduating in 1999. Whilst he was there, he majored in composition and popular music production, and was awarded The Music Dept Prize for his final composition. He was also active in performing solo guitar and piano recitals, as he is today, as well as with the University Choir. Simon prides himself on his broad range of musical styles and spends much of his time writing and recording his own music. He finds teaching very fulfilling and also works as a freelance guitar teacher. Simon is currently working towards his LLCM (TD).

Liam Gaughan B.Mus(Hons) (Guitar & Bass Guitar)

Liam Gaughan's musical journey began in 2002 when he received his first Electric Bass and experienced his first encounter with music. He quickly mastered the instrument, performing all over his local area with various acts. Liam went on to take the highly respected B.Mus degree now based at The Sage, Gateshead, graduating with a first class honours after studying with some of the most experienced musicians in the North-East. His production work with local bands has received regional and national airplay, and his performing and teaching experience has made him a mature practitioner with a solid grasp of all Jazz and Popular styles of music.