Vocal Coaching & Lessons
Professional music tuition in a real studio environment. Jump straight to the session you need below.
Unlock the full potential of your voice with Daryl Gayford — our in-house vocal coach with over 10 years of experience. Whether you want to improve your singing, master technique, or need vocal rehabilitation, sessions are designed specifically for you.
Who It's For
- Singers of all levels — from complete beginners to professionals
- Teachers, actors, and public speakers who rely on their voice daily
- Those experiencing vocal fatigue, muscle tension dysphonia, or recovering from illness
- Choir members and students wanting workshops on vocal health and anatomy
Vocal Coaching Rate
Block of 10 sessions: £200 — saving £50. One-to-one, tailored to your specific needs and goals.
Widely regarded as one of the most versatile drummers in Essex, Liam brings real-world experience to every lesson. Whether you're a complete beginner picking up sticks for the first time or an experienced player wanting to push your technique further, Liam tailors every session to where you are and where you want to go.
What You'll Learn
- Technique, posture, and stick control from the ground up
- Groove, timing, and feel across different styles and genres
- Reading drum notation and developing musical vocabulary
- Recording-ready drumming — how to play in the studio environment
- Advanced techniques for experienced players wanting to level up
Drum Tuition Rate
One-to-one drum lessons in a fully equipped rehearsal room. All ages and levels welcome. Get in touch to arrange your first session.
Jake is a professional musician and experienced educator with thousands of hours of teaching behind him. He gives one-to-one lessons in guitar, bass, songwriting and beginner production, and specialises in working with young people and students with additional learning needs. Less dry theory, more playing: Jake focuses on confidence, self-expression and enjoying it, because music should be open to everyone.
What You'll Learn
- Guitar and bass, from your first chords to playing in a band
- Songwriting and lyric writing, turning ideas into finished songs
- Basic production: recording yourself, using a DAW and building a track
- The confidence to jam, write and perform with other musicians
Guitar, Bass & Production Rate
One-to-one lessons in a fully equipped room at the studio. All ages and abilities welcome.
We're training the next generation of music producers and live sound engineers. Our Young Producers Programme gives young people hands-on, practical experience in the art of music production and live sound — taught by working professionals in a real studio environment.
Whether you're interested in making beats, mixing records, running live sound at events, or learning how a professional studio operates — this programme gives you the real skills and the real environment to develop them.
Funding opportunities coming soon
We're setting up Cactus Music Academy CIC to make this programme open to everyone, whatever their financial background. Funding and bursary options will be announced shortly — register your interest now to be first to hear.
Cactus Music Academy CIC is our community interest company for grassroots music education across Colchester and Tendring. Studio time, courses and gigs. Real skills, real pathways, real careers.
Follow Cactus Music Academy on InstagramYoung Producers Programme
One-to-one sessions covering music production, beat-making, DAW skills, live sound engineering, mixing and studio operation. All equipment provided.
Music Production — DAW skills, beat-making, arrangement, sound design and mixing techniques
Live Sound Engineering — front-of-house mixing, stage setup, PA systems and live event operation
Studio Operation — recording techniques, signal flow, mic placement and session workflow
Personalised lesson plans addressing your specific goals, style, and pace — not a generic curriculum.
Complete beginners through to experienced musicians wanting to refine skills, prepare for exams, or explore new territory.
Smart warm-ups, proper technique, and music theory woven into every session to build long-term skill and confidence.
Lessons are held in a comfortable, professional studio environment. We also offer free onsite parking, free fresh coffee & tea, and soft drinks and snacks.
Start Your Journey
Call Alan on 07880 354 653 to find out more, or drop us an email to arrange your first session.