MUSIC BUSINESS tutors

		Jon Stewart - Head of Music Business Studies / Senior Academic Lecturer Jon was the lead guitarist and songwriter for 90’s Brit-Pop stars Sleeper, enjoying 3 UK Top 5 Albums and 9 UK Top 40 singles. Jon has also written and recorded with artists such as KD Lang & Mel C, and has played sessions for multi-hit record producers Stephen Street (Blur) and Damian Le Gassick (Madonna. Jon writes a long-running column on the music business for Guitarist magazine, and also works as a supervisor for film and TV projects. At BIMM Jon is Head of Music Business Studies/Senior Academic Lecturer and is available for one to one tutorials.

		Mel Thomas - Head of Work Based Learning With over 7 years spent in house at major labels, Mel launched the band All Saints and managed their PR for three years before moving to BMG to work with Simon Cowell on Five and other major pop acts. After 2 years at Way To Blue, the UK’s leading music, film and game online PR company as Head of Press (Travis, Badly Drawn Boy, Basement Jaxx, The Streets) Mel moved to Brighton and set up Stay Gold PR, spending more time working with rock acts, consulting to BMG on Avril Lavigne and Pink (in 04) and music events Great Escape and Guilfet in 06. Mel teaches business to BIMM Professional Diploma (Level 5) and Foundation Degree and is a huge fan of rock music. The role of Head of Work Based Learning sees Mel use her industry contacts to generate work experience opportunities for students at BIMM.

		Martine McDonagh - Music Business Tutor Martine McDonagh’s music industry career began in 1980 in Our Price Record shops. Having risen to Area Managership within two years, she moved on to work variously at Rough Trade Distribution, in Independent PR, and as Assistant Tour Manager for Simply Red. In 1985, she became manager of the Manchester band James, building their career to its peak over ten years, seven albums and several top ten singles. While also performing as James’ backing singer, she is perhaps the only manager to have appeared on TOTP and the Tonight Show in America. Having designed the ubiquitous James t-shirts, Martine set up an independent company to manufacture and distribute them, which also produced shirts for the likes of Teenage Fan Club, the La’s and Steve Coogan. Since then, she has managed singer-songwriter Astrid Williamson, comedian Rob Newman and Brighton band Polak. Martine currently manages Krautpop band Fujiya & Miyagi who are due to release their second album in 2006.

		Jake Shillingford - Music Business Tutor Jake Shillingford, founder of the cult orchestral alternative band My Life Story, released three successful albums and had six top forty singles. Jake started out co-promoting bands in a London club called The Panic Station booking early shows for The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays and Chili Peppers. His band My Life Story went on to collaborate with with PJ Proby, Marc Almond, Morrissey, The Wonderstuff and even headlined over Oasis. He now runs his own label and new musical project ExileInside, financed online by investors. ‘One of our most colourful lyricists’ Steve Lamacq

		Jason Knight - Head of Live Performance Workshop (LPW) Jason’s time with UK rockers ’Reef’ saw him on Top of the Pops, Jools Holland and TFI Friday. It took him on a major world-tour culminating in headline gigs at V97 and Glastonbury. Since then, he has worked with various singer/songwriters including Sam Obernik, Alonza Bevan (Kula Shaker), Dominic Greensmith (Reef) and Ian Wills and The Willing. So, in his role as Head of LPW he will be able to teach you the fundamentals of live performance, and how everything you learn in your classroom can make you a great performer!

		Martin Wright - Live Performance Workshop Tutor A former student of Brunel University, Martin has been drumming, singing and producing music for many top artists over the last decade. His list of credits include Ronnie Wood, Slash, Mick Jagger, Beverly Knight, Natalie Imbruglia, Andrea Corr, Days of Worth, Reef, Gary Brooker (Procul Harem), Neol Davies (The Selector). He is currently working with John Hogg (formally of Moke), amongst others and will be putting you through your paces in Live Performance Workshop classes.

		Kieron Pepper - Drum Tutor and Live Performance Workshop Tutor Kieron was the live drummer for The Prodigy between 1997 - 2007. He is now drumming for Paul Hartnoll (Orbital) -The Ideal Condition. He is also playing guitar and keys for new XL Records band Dead Kids and playing bass and singing for Victory Pill (with Jim Davies ex Pitchshifter). Kieron is also producing new acts: Little Joe Zero and Drop Mexicana.