Rachel Williams.

What were you doing before you came to Spirit Studios?

I was in a DIY indie pop band called Peaness, self releasing our debut album in 2022.

I taught drums privately and in high schools around Cheshire, before starting work in other music universities in Manchester in 2023, sharing my skills and experience with the next generation of the music industry.

How did you get into what you teach?

From many years of touring extensively across the UK and Europe, self releasing and maintaining a strong DIY ethos. Finding out about the music business through first hand experience through the work in my band – very much learning on the job!

Any areas of special interest?

Grassroots music, DIY ethos, maintaining the eco-system of the music industry, being an independent musician and the importance of a portfolio career in the creative industries.

What’s your proudest career achievement?

Playing the Far Out Stage at my favourite festival – Green Man festival was great!

Travelling and seeing loads of new places I would have never seen had I not toured there. Being self sustained from a career in music & music education for a number of years.

What do you get up to outside of teaching?

I have recently joined Loose Articles, so am enjoying gigging, touring and songwriting with them.

I also play and tour with Seafoam Green and spent a month in the French Alps performing with Powell and Rose earlier this year.

Tell us something people may not know about you?

I got my first teaching job through a contact who I first met when he supported my band dressed as a pigeon!

What’s your favourite album/artist? and why?

This is so hard, but it has to be American Idiot – Green Day because it got me into drumming when I was a teenager

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?

Feist at the Victoria Warehouse in Manchester. She was unreal!

What’s your musical guilty pleasure?

One Direction have some bangers…

Want to learn from Rachel?

Rachel is a tutor at Spirit Studios for the Music Business and Event Management course.