Music Education

I founded Reading Rock Academy in 2008 with 1 single aim.. to help as many people of all ages to learn a musical instrument and enjoy playing it with others.

Our 1st Annual Battle of the School Bands 2010 – Charity Event in Reading

The work ‘rock’ represents a positive and upbeat way of teaching and learning music. Historically, formal music education has been delivered in a very traditional way. We know that people respond to different methods of learning and therefore we must employ a range of methods to help children and adults to learn to play a musical instrument and enjoy playing and creating music together. Our ability to be flexible, student focused and personal is proving popular in our after school instrumental and band performance courses.

“Since Reading Rock Academy have been delivering the Band Coaching programme at JMA, the number of students wanting instrumental lessons has increased, the standard of performances from existing bands has improved, and we have seen a new set of skills being developed by younger students. Students from year 7 to 13 engage in the band coaching programme and it has encouraged them to work productively as a group, coming back in break times and after school to work on both cover and original songs. They have grown in confidence and have found abilities they didn’t know they had. Whenever the band coaching is taking place, we have an audience outside desperate to see what’s going on and find out how they can get involved! The Reading Rock Academy programme feels part of our Music department; it is not an “add-on”, it is very much a part of the way we deliver music in an individualised way; and together we provide opportunities for the bands to perform.” Leah Mills, Assistant Director of Music & Performing Arts, The John Madejski Academy, June 2010.

I have always been interested in the creative side of making and producing music, putting the notes together, building up harmonies and layers of music. I’m a keen supporter of local bands before they make it famous.. I tweet live music reviews to hashtag #rdgbands each Friday from my home town of Reading, to give them a platform to promote themselves..

for more information please visit www.readingrockacademy.com