Mike Salmon BA (Hons) Atcl
Piano / organ
Mike is the third eldest from a family of thirteen. He started playing the piano when he was twelve. In three years he got through all the classical grades then gave his debut performance of one of Mozart’s piano concertos in Virginia, USA.
When he came back from the states he was awarded the millennium scholarship of two thousand pounds and was accepted into the East Sussex Academy of Music. The scholarship paid for lessons with a professor from the Royal Northern College of Music. He later gained a Diploma in Performance and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from the Colchester Institute.
He is available for private tuition www.michaelsalmon.co.uk and can accompany students in ABRSM exams and professional musicians in recording sessions and recitals.
Tara Bennett
Vocals
Tara Bennett is a professional vocalist and vocal coach working in London and Essex. She grew up in Birmingham before moving to London to attend drama school in 2004. Tara trained classically and worked for a number of years with the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus performing at the Royal Albert Hall, Manchester Bridgwater Hall and Birmingham Symphony Hall in addition to performances in Vienna and Ghent. During this time Tara also performed in operas with the Birmingham Opera Company, including a national tour of Leo Janacek’s 'The Cunning Little Vixen' and a live recording for the BBC of Henri Dutilleux's 'The Shadows of Time' as the featured soloist. Later, Tara trained with the National Youth Music Theatre of Great Britain performing lead roles at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Belfast Lyric Theatre and Belfast Waterfront Hall. Upon graduating, Tara embarked on a number one national tour of 'Tracy Beaker' with Nottingham Playhouse playing the eponymous role at venues such as Hackney Empire, Manchester Palace Theatre, Belfast Opera House and the Edinburgh Playhouse.
More recently, Tara has worked as worked as a vocalist for high profile events and weddings. These include performances at the Ipswich Regent, Cochrane Theatre, Battersea Barge and Jermyn Street Theatre, in addition to events at Three Rivers Golf and Country Club, Colne Valley Country Club and Westwood Park.
Andrew Wild
Double bass
Andrew started playing the Double Bass at the age of 12 and performed in his first concert after just three days of playing. His first Tutor said that he handled the Bass naturally. He quickly progressed to principal bass of all of the Essex Youth Orchestras. He studied at the Guildhall School of Music and has performed with many established artists. His performances have taken him to the USA, West Germany and Spain.
Adam Morris BA Hons
Drums
Adam began his musical studies at the age of four as a violinist. He soon moved to the clarinet before finding his preferred role as a drummer. Performances as a youngster saw him appear with Barnet Music Services regularly and resulted in him receiving the Freddie Stancliffe Percussion Cup at the age of Sixteen.
After a brief spell as a student of Mike Dolbear, he went onto study percussion at the Colchester Institute under Rob Farrer and Jamie Trowell and achieved a first in the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music with Honours.
During his four year spell at the Institute, he won the Solo Percussion Competition the Woodwind Ensemble (twice) as well as taking a year to act as President of the student union.
Adam can currently be found performing on the classical, show, pop and jazz circuits in Essex and London with various ensembles including: Colchester Chamber/Symphony Orchestra, The Francis Shelly Trio/Quartet, The Soul Collective and singer/songwriter Phildel who has just released her album in France. His playing takes him around the world with work in the cruise ships’ show bands.
Steve
Drums
Steve started playing drums at the age of 8 and spent much of his teenage years taking private lessons and working hard to develop his skills. Steve then studied at the Trinity College of music in London. At this point they did not have grades specifically for the drum kit so he had to study tuned percussion as well - despite this he passed all of his grades with honours and distinctions. Interestingly, over his years of teaching and entering his own students for their music exams Steve has never had a student fail.
After spending some time playing with bands and teaching, he took on some professional theatre work “pit drumming”. This opened doors to high profile recording sessions and touring work and Steve relocated to France where he took a job with a Paris based music Agency. He then spent the next few years touring extensively as a session player working with some of the industries top names. He was often booked by European TV stations to back artists such as Ray Charles & Joe Cocker.
Since moving back to the UK, Steve has gained an exceptional reputation as a successful music teacher working with Essex Music teaching in schools and colleges across the county. Steve is currently the Head of Percussion for Academy East based at the Colchester Institute. From September 2006 Steve also began writing a monthly tuition page for Drummer Magazine and runs Exhibition & Tutorial Drum Clinics at schools, colleges and universities around the UK.
One of the Colchester Academy students, Mr Harpal Mudhar, mentored by Steve won the ‘Young Drummer of the Year 2007’
Les Simons RGT LCM
Guitar
Les studied music and jazz guitar in London with the top session guitarist Colin Pincott. He has over 30 years of performing and teaching experience. In this period he has covered many different styles of music, specializing in American Jazz and has performed with many established artists.
Rebecca BMus (Hons) Dip ABRSM
Cello
Rebecca is a former pupil of Chetham’s School of Music and the Purcell School. She graduated from the Royal College of Music in 2003, where she held a scholarship, and studied with Leonid Gorokhov and composition with Timothy Salter. Rebecca has given many concerts in East Anglia, including performances of the Saint-Saens, Boellmann and Haydn C ‘cello concertos. She has also played at a Buckingham Palace Investiture in the presence of Prince Charles.
In 1999 Rebecca was the winner of the Colchester Rotary Musician of the Year and joint winner of the District Rotary competition. In 2001 she won second prize in the Essex Young Musician of the Year.
Whilst at the RCM, Rebecca’s trio won the Douglas Whittaker Prize for chamber music. She was a member of the London Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and played at Glyndebourne and the Royal Festival Hall. She has also been involved with the London Philharmonic’s Desk Partnership Scheme.
She often adjudicates at local music competitions, and is currently enjoying teaching, performing and composing. She is cello teacher with Cambridgeshire Music, and tutors for Cambridgeshire County Youth Orchestra.
Alex BA (Hons)
Drums
After achieving his music degree at the Colchester Institute, and studying with the likes of Rob Farrer, Trevor Tomkins and Craig Blundell, Alex has become an in demand drummer for many artists in a variety of genres. His vast performance experience includes TV work, cruise liners, European and UK tours, numerous albums and session recordings, live radio broadcasts and music video, along with appearances in theatres, clubs and festivals all over the UK
Fluet in many styles including funk, rock, soul, and contemporary genres, Alex is particulary drawn to the improvisation and subtleties associated with jazz.
Currently working as a freelance musician Alex is available
for gigs, deps, short contracts and recording work as well as private tuition.