song-writing course tutors

This is without a doubt the most demanding course that we offer and the tutors are dedicated to helping new writers understand the reality of writing songs for a living. These courses push musicians to deliver career breaking tunes, through a series of lectures designed to focus on different aspects of the writer's craft taught by internationally successful hit writers.

		Ian Sillett (Sir Paul McCartney/Joan Armatrading) - Head of Songwriting Ian studied at Leeds College of Music until he was offered a place to be the first intake of students at LIPA. During his studies he won the National Yamaha/Times Educational Young Songwriters Award. As a session player he has played with Sir Paul McCartney, Joan Armatrading, Beverley Knight, Jamelia, Blue and Sugababes and Mark Knopfler. Other previous commitments include Keyboard Module Leader for Musicians Channel on SKY TV and Disney Library Music. He has been signed to label East West Records and Fused and Bruised and publishing with Jimmy Ruffin at Ruffland Publishing Ltd. Ian is a composer and arranger for independent film company ’One Take Pictures’. The company has won 4 International Awards and been nominated for 22 International Awards for work in the Film Industry. He is also a member of The General Teaching Council.

		Chris Difford (Squeeze) - Songwriting Tutor Chris is an internationally renowned songwriter, singer and producer as a member of multi-platinum UK band Squeeze. He has penned numerous classic hits alongside co founding member Glenn Tillbrook, such as Tempted, Pulling Mussels (From the Shell), Up the Junction, Cool for Cats, Annie Get Your Gun and Black Coffee in Bed. Chris has also collaborated with Elton John, Jools Holland, Wet Wet Wet and Marti Pellow amongst many others. He has also released three solo albums to date.

		Rob Ellis (PJ Harvey) - Songwriting Tutor Perhaps Rob’s most widely known work has been that with PJ Harvey, with whom he has collaborated as producer, co-writer, arranger and touring musician from 1991’s debut album “Dry” through to 2005’s “Uh huh her” including co-producing her 2001 Mercury award winning album “Stories from the city, stories from the sea”. In between those sessions and in the meantime Rob has also found time to work with such legendary artists as Scott Walker, Marianne Faithfull, Paul Weller and Robyn Hitchcock along with more contemporary artists such as Goldfrapp, Placebo, Charlotte Hatherley, Dot Allison and Pete Doherty. Rob has released albums of his own compositions on the electronica label Leaf that are in the vein of “modern classical” and which have been used as documentary incidental music for TV and radio stations all over the world.

		Jake Shillingford (My Life Story) - Songwriting 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 Red Hot Chili Peppers. His band My Life Story went on to collaborate 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. Jake is part of the music business team and regularly lectures in the songwriting department.

		Steve Hillier (Dubstar) - Songwriting Tutor Steve is a songwriter and record producer who has worked with everyone from Keane to Gary Numan. He has written fifteen top 40 singles, including nine hits by his platinum-selling band Dubstar. Steve is also a journalist and music technology expert, writing for Future Music magazine and many high profile websites including BBC worldwide.

		Susan Dodes (MCA/Universal Records) - Songwriting Tutor A talent executive with over twenty years of record making experience, Susan has been a constant presence in the US music business. She began her career in New York City,in the International department of the music Publisher Chappell-Intersong. Subsequently, she held talent acquisition positions for Warner Chappell and Famous Music Publishing. She moved on to become Vice President of A&R at MCA/Universal Records and then Sony/ Relativity Records. Through out her career she has signed/worked with artist/songwriters as diverse as Level 42, Cinderella, REM, Paul Young, U2, The Lightening Seeds, Our Lady Peace, and Josh Ritter. Susan has also handled the careers of producers Luke Ebbin (Bon Jovi) and Kipper (Sting, Chris Botti). Now living in London, she has an A&R consulting business and teaches in the Songwriting Department at BIMM.

		Heidi Berry (Solo Artist) - Songwriting Tutor Heidi Berry brings with her an impressive background as a solo recording artist and in music education. As a singer-songwriter she released six albums including an anthology on ultra-hip labels Creation (Oasis, My Bloody Valentine) and 4AD (Pixies, Throwing Muses). Ivo Watts-Russell (founder of 4AD) said of her, “Out of all the records we released on 4AD, Heidi’s are some of the most important”. Tours include Tori Amos, Primal Scream, and Everything but the Girl. Television soundtracks include Dawson’s Creek, Baywatch, and various BBC documentaries. She has over 10 years’ teaching experience and since joining BIMM in 2003 has taught extensively across the school at all levels.

		Ken Rose (Marianne Faithfull) - Songwriting Tutor As a songwriter, producer and performer, Ken has been in the music business since he was 18. Ken’s focus is artist development and co-writing for major label and independent acts. Ken works in most musical genres, has shared success with a wide range of writers and artists as well as scoring films and performing live. Ken has been a staff writer for EMI, Warner Music, Famous Music Corp. Some recent credits include scoring / music supervisor / tracks for the film Mr. Right for MTV, tracks on new releases from Jacopo Sarno(EMI), Kasia Kowalska(Universal), Betty Steeles(A&G), and as guitarist on a two year world tour with Marianne Faithfull. Ken believes in the marriage of craftsmanship, creativity, self discovery, and talent development with modern media and is committed to success in the unpredictable climate of the "new" music business. Ken has hosted masterclasses throughout Europe and America.

		Martin Wright (Ronnie Wood/Slash) - Songwriting Tutor and LPW 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 songwriting classes.

		Julian Porreca (Just Jack) - Songwriting Tutor Jules started playing piano when he was 4 and studied under a number of renowned teachers at the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music. He also achieved a Masters in Engineering at Imperial College London and was one of the first BIMM songwriting graduates. Using his business experience he created two successful music companies specialising in live bands and events. As a professional songwriter Jules recently had a hit with ‘The Day I Died’, a co-write with Just Jack, which reached no. 11 in the UK charts and is currently working on a number of high profile projects. Jules MD’s many theatre productions, regularly performs live on TV and is a highly in-demand MD/keys-player.