BIOGRAPHY

Since beginning his studies at the RNCM in 2019, Tom has become an accomplished performer and has given solo performances in venues as prestigious as the Bridgewater Hall, Stoller Hall and the International Anthony Burgess Foundation. He has also achieved exceedingly high first class results in all of his recitals to date with the panel feedback from these recitals mentioning his “lovely rich tasto tone”, “highly impressive technical facility” and “easy fluency in the more virtuosic writing”, overall complementing “wonderful” and “highly polished” performances. Tom’s playing has been described as “exceptional” by guitarist, Tom McKinney live on BBC Radio 3. Tom has also played in masterclasses with Tilman Hoppstock, Laura Snowden, Stephen Goss and Gary Ryan.

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Craig Ogden - "Tom is one of the most talented and committed guitarists I have ever taught. He plays to an exceptionally high standard and is already a standout young British artist. His programmes are innovative and compelling and his warm, relaxed on-stage presence endears him to audiences everywhere".

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Despite Tom’s prodigious success as a soloist, he is also a highly accomplished chamber musician and has been a part of a range of ensembles. Notably he spent his four years at the RNCM in the Buri-Dale Guitar Duo with Swiss guitarist Nico Buri. Together, Tom and Nico performed numerous recitals across Britain and were fortunate to play in an array of venues including Nottingham’s Theatre Royal, Ilkley’s King’s Hall and Manchester’s Whitworth Art Gallery. Tom has also accompanied many other musicians and has experience playing alongside flautists, violinists, clarinettists, bassoonists and singers in a mixture of classical and jazz contexts.

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During his time at the RNCM, Tom was highly sought after to take part in orchestral productions. These included performing the solo classical guitar part in a “Family Day” performance of “The Gruffalo” and, most notably, playing in the RNCM Symphony Orchestra’s production of Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass” in the Bridgewater Hall.

 

As well as being a classical musician, Tom prides himself on exploring a large range of styles and adapting to his musical surroundings. He has played a role in the K’in Ensemble (a Manchester based, jazz fusion ensemble), Raices De Flamenco (a bassoon led flamenco fusion ensemble) and a free jazz trio. 

 

Tom specialises in classical guitar but also enjoys playing electric guitar. He has used his electric guitar skills in multiple rock, pop and jazz bands.

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Before joining the RNCM in 2019, Tom had achieved a distinction for his grade 8 ABRSM classical guitar exam as well as completing the ARSM diploma with tuition from Lynn Brewster.

 

Tom plays a 2020 Sam McClaren Spruce Concert Classical guitar.