Our Teachers

Vocals and Percussion

Jim Pitchforth is that rare combination - a star with a small ego! A star because he is just so popular with everyone: colleagues, students, and audiences; he has a modest, ever friendly demeanor that everybody loves. Don't let that fool you, though - Jim is every bit the professional, both onstage and in the classroom. With a string of successful performance credits to his name, Jim has led a number of pro and semi-pro bands over the last 16 years, including a twelve month stint in Ireland.

Jim gained his degree at Leeds College of Music in the early 1990's; he specialises in voice, drums and percussion, although his abilities run well beyond those disciplines, including guitar playing, musical arranging and recording.

Jim's students all enjoy the challenge of improving every week under his tutelage, and he certainly sets them a high standard. Many of his students are performance orientated, and regularly participate in shows such Northern Music Academy's frequent 'Live at the Parkside' . His singing students as a whole are notable for developing the ability to project; indeed, many have proved able to deliver a powerful vocal line even before they get near a microphone!

Jim's wide vocal experience favours a modern style; while he would certainly be of great help to singers of show-tunes, it is perhaps the aspiring pop performer who stands to benefit the most from his valuable experience. Current students range from around 7 years.

As a drummer, Jim's versatility and experience have helped make him effective at enthusing students of a wide range of backgrounds, ages, and levels of experience. Currently, drumming is equally popular amongst both the sexes, and students range from beginners of around 8 and above right up to the recently retired. A number of Jim's students are currently active in various bands.

Piano, Keyboards and Saxophone

- Darrell Priestley

Keyboard specialist Darrell Priestley has been continuously involved since founding the Academy at the start of 1989. Since that time, while buiding the Academy and subsequently expanding into other areas of the music business, Darrell has never lost his love for teaching, and despite increasing workload and responsibilities, remains as commited to teaching today as ever.

Darrell gained his professional qualifications from Leeds College of Music, where he studied under such luminaries as Bill Kinghorn, Dave Smith, John Harrison, Mike Smith, and Dr Graham Hearn. Among his classmates was celebrated Jazz pianist Nicki Isles. Good days, good people. Music college opened Darrell's eyes and ears in particular to the rapturous delights of jazz flavoured music, and to artists like Quincy Jones, Al Jarreau, David Sanborn, Herbie Hancock, Snake Davis, et al. Darrell graduated, much enriched, in 1984.

Darrell’s professional career as a performer started small, at the age of 12, and grew steadily. Working with so many great singers on the then blossoming Cabaret circuit was a fabulous way to develop - 'like Rhubarb under a bucket', as we say here in the North. Career highs include solo performances at Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, Symphony Hall, Birminghan, two prize winning performances in the National Finals of Yamaha's Electone Festival, and leading (as well as arranging the music for) the Northern Music Academy's three highly successful Continental music tours. Additionally he has arranged all of the music for, coordinated, and co-produced regional shows of well over 100 musicians. He has also been privileged to work with numerous fine vocalists and instrumentalists in his capacity as accompanist.

Starting with organ in 1970, Darrell has added Piano, Composition, Arranging,and Songwriting to his skills. In the 1990's he studied Saxophone with Richard Ingham, and has subsequently continued his studies, to date adding singing, drums and accordion. He currently teaches piano, organ, keyboard and sax to groups and individuals, being proficient in an amazingly wide range of styles. Darrell also leads and arranges the music for Band Class, which he lovingly refers to as his 'second childhood'.

-Jessica Priestley

A BA (Hons) Graduate from Leeds College of Music, Jessica is amongst the younger members of the Academy team, but she is already proving extremely popular with her students. Jessica plays Piano, Fretless Bass, Flute and Percussion. As a performer, Jessica debuted at Birmingham Symphony Hall aged just 7, and more recently has toured with the Academy to Paris, Barcellona, and the Liguria region of Northern Italy. Apart from her playing skills, Jessica enjoys composition and songwriting, and is fortunate to have perfect pitch.

Specialising in piano, Jessica teaches students of all ages, and particularly enjoys teaching young children. Jessica is also proving extremely popular with parents, who appreciate her efforts to keep them up to date on the work that their children are doing. Jessica's goal is to teach primary age children, full time.

Guitar

Martin Shaw GCLCM, LGSM

"I thoroughly enjoy teaching on a one to one basis and always aim for a dynamic and vibrant class atmosphere. My skills as a teacher enable me to use many different techniques to make the lesson a positive experience. Student motivation, prior knowledge assessment, and engaging students at their own level make my classes not just a lecture, but an active, fun learning environment."

Apart from the guitar, Martin has also taught aural perception, music history, computer recording skills, stylistic analysis and general musicianship for people aspiring to be professional musicians. All classes are taught in a relaxed, friendly manner with emphasis on goal setting and personal potential.