AN Alloa music school is marching to the beat of its own drum with its modern and unique teaching methods, which are proving popular with the local community.

Husband-and-wife team Paul and Angela Jelfs opened Sound Progression Music Tuition in May, with support from Business Gateway.

Paul said, “The response so far has been fantastic, we couldn’t have hoped for better. We’ve already got a mix of students from young to old, who are learning a range of different instruments.

“Business Gateway has been great at helping us get off the ground. We approached them last summer and Matthew, our Business Adviser, has been like a mentor throughout the whole process.

“We received assistance with our business plan and applying for funding and Mathew arranged for us to meet with an IT specialist, who supported the creation of our website. We’ve been so impressed with the level of expertise from everyone at Business Gateway.” Following graduation from Stirling University last summer, Paul was keen to utilise his business skills and launch a venture that would encompass his passion for teaching music: “I graduated with a first class honours degree in business and prior to that I studied music at Glasgow University. I also have over 12 years’ experience of private music teaching.

“My wife takes care of the administration and the accounts, while I carry out all of the teaching, we work really well together so it’s a great team.

“In the future we plan to take on more tutors, which means I will move away from giving lessons and instead focus on creating dynamic lesson plans and marketing to try and really expand the business,” said Paul.

The school’s teaching is in line with the Scottish secondary curriculum and individual and group lessons are offered in drums, piano, keyboard, guitar and bass guitar.

Paul explained, “Some of our students are adults who love music and are learning for fun, although most of our students are school children. We cover music theory and practice and I try to keep students engaged by encouraging them to play modern music.

“Every month we offer ‘open music,’ lessons where we give students the chance to learn and study music that appeals to them.” Matthew Wheeler Sound Prpgression’s Business Adviser from Business Gateway Clackmannanshire, explained his role in helping the company start up.

He said: “Paul and Angela have set up a thriving business that is a real asset to the community.

“We supported them by offering start up advice, assistance with IT and sign posted funding available to them. I look forward to continuing to support Sound Progression Music Tuition as the venture develops even further.” Paul and Angela pride themselves on offering a friendly and safe learning environment and ensure that all tutors have the necessary disclosure checks for working with children.

“It’s important to us that we provide an affordable service that is family friendly. Along with free taster lessons we also sell reasonably priced instruments and musical accessories and feel that this is an important aspect of the business as buying instruments can be a bit of a minefield,” added Paul.

“I love sharing my passion of music with others through our lessons as music touches just about everyone, one way or another.

“Passing on my knowledge and enthusiasm when teaching and seeing each student build in confidence and ability is really enjoyable. Plus, it’s a two way relationship as students introduce me to music that I may never have found otherwise.” For more information on Sound Progression Music Tuition see http://www.sound-progression.co.uk/ Find out how Business Gateway Clackmannanshire can help your business by visiting www.bgateway.com/local-offices/clackmannanshire or calling 01259 726 430.

Alternatively contact www.bgateway.com or call 0845 609 6611.