Business Details
17 Years
experience
Your Trusted Music Lessons Provider in Birmingham
Progress Music Academy was founded in 2009 by music industry experts Gary Walmsley and Steve Smith. Based in Birmingham's historic Jewellery Quarter, we provide tailored music education for all ages and abilities, offering in-person and online lessons in guitar, vocals, piano, drums, bass, music theory, and recording studio techniques. Our team of twelve hand-picked tutors includes specialists in vocal health, graded examinations, and special educational needs, supported by industry partnerships with Marshall Amplification, Natal Drums, and Trinity College London. As the Midlands' only approved Trinity Rock and Pop Exam Centre, we combine technical expertise with performance opportunities through regular showcases and workshops.Our 2,000 sq ft facility features nine teaching studios, a full production recording studio, and collaboration spaces with free Wi-Fi. We guarantee personalized learning plans aligned with individual goals, musical preferences, and learning styles, evidenced by 113 five-star reviews highlighting measurable improvements in confidence and technical ability. Our proprietary app enables continuous progress tracking between lessons, while our JLR partnership provides free lessons to employees since 2014.
Services
Guitar Lessons
Vocal Training
Piano Tuition
Drum Instruction
Recording Studio
Music Theory
Online Lessons
Exam Preparation
Songwriting Sessions
Performance Coaching
Details
- Year established: 2009
Highlights and features
- Established in 2009 with 15+ years collective teaching experience
- Tailored learning plans for individual musical preferences and goals
- Official Trinity Rock and Pop Exam Centre for graded assessments
- Industry partnerships with Marshall Amplification and Natal Drums
- Proprietary app for continuous progress tracking between lessons
Associations and certifications
- Trinity College London
What people say
Well organised, friendly, and great lessons
Confidence has grown so much
Amazing vocal coach
Noticeable improvement in singing
Incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable staff
Services
Guitar Lessons
Our guitar lessons in Birmingham cater to all skill levels from complete beginners to advanced players. Using Marshall Amplification equipment, our tutors specialise in rock, classical, jazz, and pop styles while incorporating music theory and performance techniques. Students receive personalised lesson plans with measurable progress tracking through our dedicated app.
Vocal Training
Professional vocal coaching in Birmingham using the Estill technique to develop vocal range and technique. Our certified tutors address vocal health, performance anxiety, and music reading while preparing students for live performances or Trinity Rock and Pop exams through structured repertoire development.
Recording Studio
Fully equipped Pro Tools recording studio offering production sessions, arrangement workshops, and song development. Available for solo artists, bands, and special projects with professional guidance from our in-house producers. Services include custom backing tracks, vocal sessions, and pre-production support.
Music Theory
Specialist music theory instruction covering notation, harmony, and composition techniques. Lessons align with ABRSM and Trinity College London exam syllabi while supporting practical musicianship skills. Available as standalone courses or combined with instrumental tuition for comprehensive musical development.
Online Lessons
Live-streamed music lessons available for all instruments and vocal training through Zoom. Students receive the same tailored instruction and progress monitoring as in-person lessons, with access to our proprietary app for practice tracking and resource sharing from home.
People
Gary Walmsley
Owner/Senior Drum Tutor
Music industry expert with 15+ years' experience, co-founder of Progress Music Academy. Specialises in drum tuition and studio production. Leads teacher training programs and develops curriculum frameworks for graded examinations.
Goldie Mutta
Vocal Tutor
Certified vocal coach specialising in the Estill technique. Helps students overcome performance anxiety and develop vocal range. Recognised for working with clients having permanent voice changes due to medical conditions.
Niall Creane
Guitar & Bass Tutor
Experienced guitarist offering tailored tuition in rock, pop, and classical styles. Focuses on technique development and live performance preparation. Praised for making complex musical concepts accessible to learners of all ages.
Julia Parsuto
Senior Piano Tutor
Specialist in piano tuition for children and adults. Incorporates Yamaha Clavinova digital pianos into lessons. Develops individualised learning paths covering classical and contemporary repertoire with ABRSM exam preparation.
Filip Jonathan
Studio Producer
Music producer with expertise in Pro Tools and Logic Pro. Oversees recording studio operations and production sessions. Creates custom backing tracks and supports songwriting projects from initial concept to final recording.
Questions
What music lesson formats do you offer?
We provide in-person lessons at our Birmingham studios and online sessions via Zoom for all instruments and vocal training.
Can I prepare for music exams here?
Yes, we're the Midlands' only Trinity Rock and Pop Exam Centre with tutors qualified to prepare students for graded assessments.
Do you cater to complete beginners?
Absolutely, our lessons start from foundational techniques for beginners while maintaining engaging content for advanced musicians.
Are instruments provided for lessons?
We supply all equipment except guitars and basses, which students typically bring themselves. Let us know in advance if you need one.
How do you track lesson progress?
Our proprietary app allows continuous progress tracking with lesson notes, practice videos, and homework assignments accessible between sessions.
What special needs support do you offer?
Our tutors have specialist training in SEN education and can adapt lessons for children with learning and development requirements.
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