Top sound engineers nurture talent

Dean has worked with Jay-Z

The Emarty Academy has been funded by local businessmen Michael Taylor and Dean Turner who realised there was a shortage of studios in Weston for young bands to practice in.

They are both sound engineers who work in the music industry.

Over the past few years, Michael Taylor has worked on the John Peel stage at the Glastonbury Festival, and he's the lighting designer for Kula Shaker.

Dean Turner has worked with big names in the industry like Jay-Z, Usher, and Rhianna.

Both are keen to nurture musical talent in Weston and believe this is the step in the right direction.

'Springboard'

The Emarty Academy opened in March 2008.

Lessons are available for young people who can already play instruments like the violin, bass, drum, piano, and for those can sing well, but who need further training.

The idea will be to get youngsters who normally play alone, to get together to form a band.

Pete Fealey from the academy said: "There's no formal qualification, it's more of a springboard to get kids working together and to form some new bands.

It's because the new bands in our area seem to be dwindling and we wanted to re-ignite the passion for local music.''

'Free rehearsal space'

They will be able to benefit from the likes of drum tutor Steve Wilson, who's an experienced session musician, and guitar lessons from Ryan Inglis, who recently made it to the final of the 'Live and Unsigned' competition earlier this year.

Pete Fealey believes the summer school will be successful.

He said: "I've been going round the schools in the Weston area, about the academy in general and the summer school, we're getting a positive response so far."