Meet the Team
Dr Gary Lutton
Director & Guitar Teacher
Gary is a musician and teacher based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He is the winner of Sky TV's Guitar Star and holds a PhD in music from Ulster University. Gary has been a lecturer in music at various colleges throughout N.I. for 10 years and has toured internationally in the US, Europe and China.
Live at Stormont for BBC2 Music Day
Original tune
Luke
Drum teacher
Luke is the drummer of the successful up-and-coming Belfast noise punk band ‘Enola Gay’. He has toured worldwide across the UK, Europe and USA, playing many festivals such as Download, Boomtown, and Boardmasters to name a few. He has performed live on air on BBC 6 Music radio; on French Television alongside Sleaford Mods; and on Audiotree studios in Chicago. Luke is a highly experienced performer with a passion for teaching both adults and children in all styles of music. If there’s groove, he’ll be there!
Luke’s favourite bands: Fontaines D.C, Radiohead and Korn
Daniel, BA (Hons), ALCM
Piano Teacher
Daniel is a composer, pianist, arranger, singer, and instrumentalist from Belfast, Northern Ireland. He specialises in contemporary classical music, but also enjoys incorporating ideas from his experiences with jazz, traditional Irish folk, and choral music. He began playing the piano around the age of five, and later also took up flute and alto saxophone. He was a member of the Ulster Youth Jazz Orchestra 2014-18 and the Choral Scholars Training Choir in St. Gerard’s Chapel, Belfast, 2017-18. He then studied music at Magdalene College, Cambridge, becoming heavily involved with the choral, musical theatre, and instrumental music worlds. He briefly worked as a Graduate Music Assistant in Wells Cathedral School, Somerset, before continuing his composition studies at Högskolan för Scen och Musik, University of Gothenburg. His works have previously been performed by Magdalene College Choir, the staff of Wells Cathedral School, Norrköping Symphony Orchestra, and Svenska Kammarkören, and has an upcoming collaboration project with Bohuslän Big Band.
Hannah, BA (Hons)
Singing and Piano Teacher
Having just graduated with a first in Music Performance from Queens University Belfast, Hannah is a passionate musician. As a classically trained singer she has experience in opera, contemporary music, musical theatre and jazz. She is also a prolific singer-songwriter, utilising her skills as a singer, pianist and guitarist to create diverse original music. Hannah’s debut single featured on BBC Introducing and her EP ‘Temporary’ is available to stream on Spotify under the name ‘Honeyblossom’. Hannah is a patient and enthusiastic teacher here to build your confidence and skills while having fun as you learn!
Liam, PhD
Guitar Teacher
Liam McCartan is a Belfast-based musician, producer and composer who gained his doctorate from the Sonic Arts Research Centre at Queen's University in 2022. Liam is a multi-instrumentalist with 18 years of cross-genre guitar-playing experience and a speciality in improvisation. Having recorded, written and performed in rock, folk, metal, jazz, electronic and experimental groups, Liam has become expertly versed in many forms of music.
Maria, BA (Hons)
Singing Teacher
Maria is a classically trained soprano from Newry Co.Down. Having graduated from the Queen’s University of Belfast as a Bachelor of Arts, with a First Class Honours in Music Performance, Maria was the proud recipient of the Flax Trust Arts award and bursary for her final recital exam at QUB. Maria has experience in opera, theatre, jazz, choral, contemporary and holds a Diploma from the London College of Music in Classical Singing. Maria has performed in many shows in Northern Ireland, most recently playing ‘Tzeitel’ in Fiddler on the Roof in the Mac Theatre, Belfast. As well as working with the National Youth Choir of Northern Ireland at their summer choir schemes, Maria is a passionate teacher and strives for her students to enjoy what they are doing whilst learning and growing as a performer.
Lauren, BA (Hons)
Piano Teacher
Lauren is a Singer/Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Belfast. She has recorded her songs in studios, released to streaming platforms, and occasionally plays live in Belfast. While she sings and accompanies herself on guitar, she is also a classically trained violinist and pianist that has collaborated with local artists, had her arrangements on their songs, played live for functions and events, and also takes commissions for original compositions.
In July 2023 she graduated from Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts with a Degree in Music, specialising in Songwriting, Production and Performance.
Daniel, BA (Hons)
Guitar Teacher
Daniel is a guitarist, composer, and teacher based in Belfast and Derry. Having gained his Bachelors degree in Music (Jazz Performance) from Leeds College of Music in 2018, Daniel has 8 years private tuition experience, specialising in the genres of pop, rock/metal, and jazz. He currently plays in a Metallica tribute act and his band Geilt. Daniel provides a patient and bespoke learning experience with the aim to help build each students instrumental confidence and creativity.
Paul
Guitar Teacher
Paul is a passionate and dedicated tutor who specialises in helping beginners build strong foundations and confidence in their playing. As a regular performer at the Belfast Guitar Festival, he brings real-world experience to his teaching, offering students valuable insights into both technique and performance. Paul’s approach is patient and encouraging, focusing on making learning the guitar enjoyable and accessible for all. Whether you’re picking up a guitar for the first time or looking to develop your skills, Paul’s expertise in the fundamentals will set you on the right path.