About us & our alumni – The Academy of Music and Sound

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We have welcomed over 5000 students onto courses in popular music, production and music business over the years. In July 2019, we celebrated our 25th anniversary – always changing and adapting to keep in-step with changes in the modern music industry, we’re excited to see what the next 25 years will bring.

Lewis Capaldi - Edinburgh

Scottish vocalist and songwriter Lewis Capaldi shot to fame in 2019. He was nominated for the Critics' Choice Award at the 2019 Brit Awards. In March 2019, his single "Someone You Loved" topped the UK Singles Chart where it remained for seven weeks, and in October 2019 it reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. He was a record label apprentice at the Edinburgh centre in 2016.

Zoe Graham - Glasgow

Zoe is a talent singer-songwriter based in Glasgow, at just 22 she is now making waves and getting noticed in the local scene. She won Best Acoustic Act at the Scottish Alternative Music Awards in 2019, and has just released a fresh new single.

Ben Conibear - Exeter

Ben studied at the Exeter centre, and now hits drums for up and coming Devon band Pattern Pusher. Their crusade of happiness has earned them a loyal fan base, accolades from BBC Radio 6, and a string of festival shows; now lining up on the same bills as their idol

Emily Atkinson AKA Fourth Daughter - edinburgh

Scottish electro-pop artist Fourth Daughter aka Emily Atkinson, is making waves in the local scene. She was Resonate Artist of the Week last year, and listed as one of BBC's Ones to Watch for 2020. With two single releases and an impressive live set under her belt, Emily is paving her way as a stand out artist with ethereal vocals, lush synths and electro-pop beats.

Jamie Beale - Exeter

Jamie Beale fronts rock band Novatines. Novatines have toured extensively throughout the UK and Europe on both headline and support tours, playing alongside the likes of Alabama 3, Arcane Roots, Von Hertzen Brothers, and Sweet.

Lizzie Reid

Lizzie has been involved with a number of projects that have been featured around Scotland including Dead Pony. Now working on her own solo material the future is looking bright with guest features from Tenement TV. Her new EP Cubicle released this year - check it out.

Michael Rennie - Glasgow

Michael Rennie is drummer for Yungblood - Yungblud is the hip-hop-influenced rock outfit created by musician Dominic Harrison. Blending punk spirit with pop savvy, he made a steady climb in the late 2010s before scoring a trio of hits with Halsey, Machine Gun Kelly, Dan Reynolds, and frequent collaborator, Travis Barker.

Callum Beattie - Edinburgh

Callum is really on the rise both here in Edinburgh, and beyond. The Scottish singer-songwriter got No.1 in the Scottish Album Charts with his punchy debut album, and after stints in both London and Berlin he came back to Scotland to work on some emotive new material. Listen here, and follow here.

Tristan Evans - Exeter

Drummer in Virgin EMI signed band, The Vamps. He is also the producer on many of their songs. They have launched their own record label and played in stadiums across the world.

Greg Pearson - Edinburgh

Greg is a talented singer-songwriter who studied with us in 2011 on our apprenticeship programme. He's made quite the impact, supporting some big names including US stars OneRepublic, and recently he supported fellow Scotsman Lewis Capaldi in Dubai. Big things in store we think!

Cameron Brown - Edinburgh

Cameron is a skilled guitarist, endorsed by strandberg* guitars and FU-Tone.com, and has gained quite a following on social media! In 2017 Cameron was featured on EVH Gear TV as a guest alongside other players such as Billy’s Sheehan, Jason Becker and Mark Tremonti. Last year he even took part in a 'Hammer to Fall' challenge with Queen's Brian May!

Lawrence Jones - Birmingham

Songwrtier, guitarist and vocalist, winning Young Blues Artist of the Year in 2014, 2015 and 2016. He has supported Van Morrison, James Bay, Jools Holland and Buddy Guy.

Josh Kumra - Swindon

Singed to Sony RCA, he co-wrote the number 1 single, ‘Don’t Go’ with Wretch 32. Going on to release his album, collaborting with the likes of Naughty Boy and Emeli Sande.

Julian Lea Seager - Exeter

Julian Seager is an English award winning character Actor. Julian splits his time between the USA and UK. He appears in box office hit Fisherman's Friends and has recently had a lead role in the political horror movie Election Night. He has had featured roles on TV shows such as Bafta Award Winning Poldark, Miracle Workers, Cursed, Galavant and is a season regular for last 10 years on Doc Martin.

Eddy Thrower - Southampton

Drummer in Lower Than Atlantis, selling out 6 UK tours as well as having 2 top 40 albums. They have music featured on games such as Tony Hawk and Guitar Hero.

Gavin Bolt - Exeter

Touring musician working with one of the most successful AC/DC tribute acts, Gavin does a fantastic Brian Johnston all over the UK and large festivals in Europe.

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About AMS

AMS is an independent music academy specialising in post-16 music performance and production education. We prepare students for a career in the modern music industry with recognised qualifications, with options to study in-centre or online.

Start with us on a Further Education course, progress all the way through an Undergraduate programme or a Masters in Popular Music Performance. Or join us wherever you are on your journey! All of our post-16 courses are fully funded for those that are 16-18, and all of our undergraduate and postgraduate courses are eligible for student finance applications for UK residents.

With established centres in Exeter, Gateshead, Edinburgh and Glasgow, an international Online Academy (AMSonline), and a teaching staff made up of music industry professionals with close-knit connections to their local music scenes – AMS have several attractive options for you to kickstart -or further- your career and expertise in music.

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