Emily Hare and Charlie Northedge run the Island’s only Yamaha Music School, which aims to make playing music accessible to everyone and prioritises learning by ear. They spoke to Emily Moore about the business, and how they see it developing
THE sight of a room full of toddlers “screaming, dancing and singing” might prompt many people to head as quickly as possible to the nearest exit.
But for Emily Hare, better known to many as the singer and songwriter Emily Faye, it is a sight that fills her with joy as each week she welcomes a group of two-to-four-year-olds to her Move and Sing classes.
Indeed, as the manager of the only Yamaha Music School in the Channel Islands explains, this “organised chaos” is about so much more than giving the little ones an opportunity to let off some steam.
“This course, which is by far the most popular on our programme, gives children an introduction to music,” she smiled. “It might look chaotic but it is a fantastic was of introducing them to basic musical instruments, rhythm and dancing.”
And Emily, perhaps, has a greater appreciation than most of the difference that falling in love with music at an early age can make.
“My parents both loved music, and they always said that I would sing before I would talk,” she smiled. “I sang all the time when I was a kid and although I now try to rest my voice when I’m not working, I am still always surrounded by music. Perhaps because of my own childhood experiences, I strongly believe that a lot of a person’s music world is shaped by their parents or other people in their life. A lot of the children who come for the Move and Sing sessions are accompanied by their grandparents and seeing the grandparents’ faces when they see their children lighting up with the music is really special.”
This is a sentiment echoed by Red House and Yamaha Music School owner and founder Charlie Northedge, who says falling in love with music during his teenage years helped to “keep him out of trouble”.
“I couldn’t imagine my life without music in it now,” he admitted. “I remember my life before I discovered music and I was always getting into trouble. My mindset wasn’t really a classroom-friendly one, and as I struggled to pay attention and absorb a lot of what was taught in class, I lost interest in school and became a bit naughty.
“But from the moment I picked up a guitar and was shown how to play a rubbish song on one string, I was hooked. I couldn’t put it down. I got a job in a café and spent the whole summer saving up to buy a guitar and that was it.”
It certainly was a life-changing moment, giving Charlie “direction” and propelling him firstly to music college and then, perhaps ironically given his academic background, to a career in teaching.
But the irony is not as great as it first seems, as Charlie and Emily are quick to explain that the Yamaha method is very different from many more traditional teaching styles.
“The Yamaha method is all about making music accessible to everyone, which is why you learn by ear first and foremost,” said Emily. “You don’t even see a sheet of music to begin with.”
“It may sound slightly unorthodox, as a lot of traditional approaches start by teaching people to read music before they even think about playing, feeling and understanding music,” added Charlie. “Yamaha flips that on its head, so that people start playing music straight away. It is a much more interactive and fun way of teaching and learning.”
And it is an approach, says Emily, which tends to create a “well-rounded musician”.
“This is a tried-and-tested method which has been around since the 1950s and helps to overcome some of the weaknesses which musicians often have in certain areas,” she said.
While there are more than 6,000 Yamaha Music Schools around the world, Charlie is proud that the West’s Centre establishment is the only one that has ever existed in the Channel Islands.
“I’d heard about the Yamaha method while I was at music college but there’s a degree of secrecy about it, as they don’t allow anyone to teach using their books unless they have been trained by the brand,” he said, adding that the initial approach about setting up a school in the Island had been directed to him through the manufacturer’s local retail stockist.
“Yamaha approached Paul Sharkey, who owns Island Music, and asked whether there was anyone in the Island who would be able to set up one of their music schools.
Understandably, Yamaha is very protective of its method and brand, so the team wanted someone with the right experience and approach. Paul put them in touch with me and, after several long conversations, we agreed to go ahead.”
Having now been operating the Jersey franchise for a year, Charlie and Emily are in no doubt that the method not only works but also improves students’ retention rates.
“These students, particularly the children and teenagers, are not there because they want to learn music theory,” Charlie stressed. “They are there because they’ve heard something on the radio or seen a guitarist or a drummer and been inspired by them. They don’t want to be bombarded with notation and theory; they want to feel that they are in the music.
Therefore, while we do incorporate the theory, it is done in a different way, with the emphasis on the performance side. Even by the end of the first lesson, they will be playing something recognisable, albeit in a simplified form, and that gives them a great sense of enjoyment and achievement.”
“It’s all about creating the best possible music experience without them realising that they are learning something deeper,” agreed Emily.
And while many of the 400 or so students signed up to one of the school’s lessons may be children or teenagers, the pair are quick to stress that, in keeping with their focus on accessibility, the lessons are for anyone of any age.
“A lot of adults come in during their lunch breaks or after work, which is great to see, and we are also very excited to be launching subsidised music lessons for over-60s this month,” they said.
An initiative between Island Music, Red House Yamaha Music School and the government-led agency Creative Island Partnership, these lessons are due to get under way next week, giving older adults the opportunity to learn anything from singing and piano to guitar, drums and ukulele.
“It doesn’t matter whether you are an advanced musician, a complete beginner or someone who is returning to music after a number of years, these lessons are for you,” said Charlie, adding that the response had been “incredible”.
“Within 24 hours of announcing the initiative, we were inundated with requests, which just shows how important it is.”
Indeed, Charlie and Emily say there are many reasons that they are keen to “prove the success of the concept”.
“The initial funding is for a 12-week pilot scheme but we very much hope that this will lead to a long-term programme,” said Charlie.
“We have developed this partnership because we feel that the over-60s is a demographic which can get forgotten about a little bit. There is lots of focus on activities for children, but, as you retire, or approach retirement, and perhaps have some more time on your hands, it is really important to keep your brain active and socialise with like-minded people. Music is creative, technical, fun and social and there is lots of learning involved, so we believe this course will have profound results.”
Emily added: “I think the wellness side is particularly important, as music is a great avenue for making ourselves happier and more settled.
“I also believe that having a creative outlet is very good for people in the corporate world. I know myself that without my creative outlet, I am miserable. I also think it’s lovely that offering these classes to over-60s enables people to share an interest with their child or grandchild who is coming to one of our other sessions.”
While the initial focus is on learning, Charlie and Emily are also thinking about the performance side, something with which many of their students – particularly those who attend their Rock Star Academy holiday weeks – are already familiar.
“We’ve held some lovely performances at West’s Centre and at the Santander Work Café, where Red House is now the barista and café partner,” she said. “As we head towards Christmas, we are keen to hold some performances on Thursday evenings and perhaps even at the West’s Centre Christmas lights switch-on again.”
“We are also keen to form some new groups, including a choir from our over-60s group, and I imagine that more duos and smaller groups will also naturally develop once lessons get under way,” added Charlie.
Of course, as the demand for lessons increases so does the need for teachers, and the duo are keen to recruit another four teachers to supplement the 11-strong team.
“We’ve had such a great response from students, so we need to grow our team but it is important that we find the right teachers,” said Charlie. “Being a good musician is only part of the puzzle. You also have to be reliable and good at teaching, a cocktail which is quite hard to find.”
“It is essential that we find it, though, as it is vital that teachers are inspiring, uplifting and keep you interested in your hobby,” said Emily. “If you do not feel inspired by your teacher, it can turn you off music for life, so it is super-important that we find the right people and give our students a love of music that will stay with them for ever.”
