As we embark on another term and another academic year, we have a host of new instructors to welcome into the fold. As ever, they represent some of the brightest and best teachers in their field, and all of them meet the highest standard of professionalism that we demand of our staff. They are all highly successful in their respective disciplines too, so if you learn under them you will be sure to benefit from the best tips and guidance in the business. Meet the instructors below, and check out our courses in London if you’d like to learn more.
Shadow Child (Hot Creations, R&S) – Introduction to Logic (Online)
Since 2004, Simon Bird has made an impact as one of the UK’s leading electronic music producers and global DJ’s, with his music prolifically hitting a global audience.
Best known as Shadow Child, his music set the bar in the most recent wave of house music – most notably remixes for artists Hot Since 82, The Prodigy, London Grammar, Disclosure, Future Sound of London and Hot Natured. He also made a huge impact with singles ‘String Thing’ and ’23’, which was selected by Flying Lotus to feature as first track on the GTAV game, which sold over 90 million copies. Heavy-hitting labels such as Hot Creations, Ovum, Unknown to the Unknown, R&S and 17 Steps have released his work, in addition to signing to Polydor/Universal. A recent UK no.1 came in the shape of a co-write and production for KDA’s ‘Rumble’ for Ministry of Sound too, which further fuels an ambition to produce other artists in a role behind the scenes.
As a DJ, he’s travelled the globe playing his musically dynamic sets to sell-out crowds at the most influential clubs and festivals. He co-runs the ‘Food Music’ record label and after previously broadcasting on BBC Radio 1 as Dave Spoon, you can find his current acclaimed Shadow Child radio show on London’s Rinse FM, in which he celebrates 6 years worldwide in 2018.
Rockwell (Metalheadz, Ministry of Sound) – Introduction to Logic
As an artist, Tom Green AKA Rockwell has released music on Metalheadz, Ministry Of Sound, Sony Music, Critical, Neosignal, Shogun Audio, presented specialist shows on BBC Radio 1, and remixed artists such as Boys Noize, Hudson Mohawke, London Grammar and DJ Shadow. He has toured the world as a DJ appearing at renown events and venues such as Fabric, EDC Las Vegas, Ultra Europe, Glastonbury and Pukkelpop. heralded by the likes of Billboard, Fact Magazine, Resident Advisor, Mixmag and DJ Mag and with releases on some of the biggest labels in the game including Metalheadz, Ministry Of Sound, Sony Music, Critical, Neosignal, Shogun Audio and many more.
Tony Briscoe (Craig David, Beverly Knight) – Introduction to Logic
Multi-faceted Tony has composed and produced top 10 hit music for artists such as Craig David, Beverley Knight and the Artful Dodgers. His work for media includes composing the soundtrack music for the BBC Wildlife Series presented by David Attenborough.
As well as having a PhD in Sound and Vibrations, he has also created the sound design behind a number of TV adverts.
Tony’s software programmer training has enabled him to build and implement game music in the mobile industry.
Elena Alekseeva – Music Composition
Elena is a composer, a producer, a sound designer and a classically trained pianist. She is using knowledge of classical theory and applying it into contemporary musical styles and genres. She composes and produces music for the moving image, video games, interactive music, and music for dance. Elena has a number of academic qualification and is about to complete a PHD in Music Composition.
Vasco Ispirian – Certified Ableton instructor – Introduction to Ableton (Online)
Vasco Ispirian is an electronic engineer, performer, instructor and veteran DJ and producer with over a decade of experience in the studio and onstage. His DJ and production career stretch back to the early 2000s, following a precocious introduction into Madrid’s influential electronic music scene in the early 1990s, and his studio work both personally as an artist and professionally in parallel chart his course to his current mastery of both hardware and software-based music creation techniques.
Vasco has released his own music prolifically since 2005 on a wide variety of labels, including TEAM, Dubhe, Lessismore, Pong, and Playground label. He has completed remixes for Minuendo, Redsonja, Alma, Unclosed, and many others. Presently, he is focusing on his own label, Made in Green Records. These experiences, combined with his study of electronics in university, helped him to develop his passion for music and technology. Since then, he has been deeply involved in music production and live performance, using computers, hardware, and emerging technologies.
Vasco discovered Ableton Live in 2005 and it immediately became the centrepiece of his studio and live performances; as a result he gained extensive practical knowledge of the software. Vasco is a Certified Ableton instructor.
Anna Lakatos – Certified Ableton instructor – Intro to Ableton
Anna is an electronic musician, singer and educator. She is also a trained audio engineer specialised in object-based 3D sound for motion picture and commercial music production. Anna is an Ableton Certified Trainer, Avid Certified for Pro Tools and also a Native Instruments Product Specialist.
Nick Hunt (Boy George, D’Influence) – Sound Engineering
Tutor/Producer/Engineer/Sound Designer with over 30 years of industry experience, able to visualise artists’ sound needs and consistently manage and complete projects to the highest standard. Worked in the 90s with Dave Stewart at The Church and credits include Gary Barlow, Gene, Warm Jets, Placebo, Boy George, D’Influence amongst many others.
We’re delighted with all of our new additions, and Shadow Child in particular is someone we’ve greatly admired for a long time. Also, with Thomas Glendenning returning this semester, the addition of Anna and Vasco means we now have three Certified Ableton Trainers in our midst. Many of the topics these instructors will teach will form part of our degree programmes, all of which are quality-assured by Middlesex University. We are currently running our BA (Hons) in Music Production and Sound Engineering and the BA (Hons) in Music Production and DJ Practice. Look out for the forthcoming launch of the BA (Hons) in Music Industry Management as well.
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** Editors note: Things have moved on significantly since this article was published 🙂 Please head to our blog homepage for the very latest updates from pointblank.