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Charlie Northedge, owner of Red House Coffee, Bar & Pizzeria, can now add Yamaha Music School founder to his list of endeavours. He told Meg Winton about the latest string to his bow
WHAT happens when you put pizza, coffee and music together? You get Charlie Northedge’s new venture.
He’s drawing on his musical roots and opening Jersey’s very own Yamaha Music School, powered by Red House, which has a “different approach” to teaching music.
Though many may know him as the person behind the pizzeria, Charlie is a passionate guitarist who plays in local bands Rood Mood and Blue Moon.
He plans to bring the joy of music to children and adults alike through the school, where students can learn anything from guitar and songwriting, to drums and production, and ukulele and piano.
“It’s the first of its kind,” Charlie said. “There are around 7,500 Yamaha Music Schools around the world, and we are the first to bring one to the Channel Islands.”
He is one of a group of tutors who have all been specially trained, vetted and certified to teach at a YMS.
“We’ve got some amazing tutors,” Charlie shared. “They’re local, professional and qualified, and are active, full-time musicians.”
Among the tutors, who will guide students according to YMS’s curriculum and lessons, is Emily Hare, also known as Emily Faye.
She is an accomplished vocalist and songwriter with plenty of performances and published work under her belt.
“The Yamaha method is predominantly learning by ear first, so you feel the music,” she explained. “It gives anyone who’s learning a sense of rhythm and introduces them to music by the brain recognising patterns. Having done the training, it’s a really exciting way to learn.”
Charlie said he had opted to open his school under the Yamaha umbrella because he wanted to offer “something different” to the local market.
In addition to Yamaha-certified classes, he and his team will offer ukulele lessons and a dedicated toddler class called Move & Sing.
“We want to really focus on the early-learning side of it, so we’ve designed Move & Sing for two- to four-year-olds to give them their first experience in learning and understanding music,” he said.
“If we put a lot of time and effort into kids of that age, it should, hopefully, leave a lasting impression on them. More people growing up musical can only be a good thing.”
Accessibility was also a vital part of Charlie and his team’s mission with YM, and he has teamed up with another local business to help make music a hobby for everyone.
“In partnership with Island Music, we are enabling students to buy Yamaha instruments in ways that make it easier for them or their parents,” Charlie shared.
This support could take the form of discounted rates, different payment options, such as instalments, or leasing instruments.
“It makes it so much easier for students and parents in particular, especially if they don’t know if their kid is going to play long-term,” said Charlie. “It’s making it more affordable and putting everything in reach for students.”
“It makes music accessible to everyone, no matter your background,” Emily agreed.
“The beauty of the Yamaha method is that they could learn here, then if they had to move away, they’ll be able to find a Yamaha Music School.”
This won’t be Charlie’s first stab at teaching music, though. He has certainly lived his “dream” of doing so, which came about after feeling inspired by his teachers at the prestigious Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California.
He has taught students privately and opened and expanded many a music business since, with plenty of Islanders likely to remember Chordz.
“I ran Chordz for about ten years before eventually selling it three years ago,” Charlie shared.
“I greatly missed the music school, and a lot of our old clients and students say how much they missed it.”
And he is using that to fuel his next project.
“This time, it’s going to be much bigger, much better, and we promise to be the first of its kind,” he said. “We’re going to be able to offer so many more things than we ever have done before.”
The music school will serve as an extension of the Red House brand in West Centre.
MyPad, Red House’s next-door neighbour, will be condensing into one shop in the area, and is due to operate a number of pop-up shops from 2026.
“We’re really looking forward to getting started on this project; it’s been great fun,” Emily added. “We’re going to create something really special and hopefully create friendships between students.”
To get everyone excited in the lead-up to the official opening in August, Charlie and Emily said there were a few things to keep an eye out for.
“There’s an early-bird sign-up deal for the first full term, which will start in
September,” Charlie shared. “We’re offering a 20% discount on that if you sign up now.”
And while “Charlies” may be known to come with golden tickets, chocolate has been swapped out for pizza on this occasion.
“There will be 100 golden tickets randomly placed in people’s pizza boxes,” he said.
“If you get a takeaway from Red House, you might just get one of those tickets, and you can claim a free lesson from any of your Yamaha music teachers, regardless of which instrument you play or want to play.”
And on the subject of Red House, Emily always recommended that people keep their eyes peeled if they swing by.
“Every time you pop to Red House for a coffee, keep an eye out, because there will be little things popping up – more information, a slogan maybe…”
- For more information about Yamaha Music School, powered by Red House, visit redhouseyms.com.
