About Jonny Ball
A little bit about the musician, teacher and person.
ABOUT JONNY
I'm Jonny, a professional guitarist, teacher and musician based in Stockport. I've been working in music for over 15 years, across performance, recording, songwriting and music education. Today, my work is split between teaching guitar and performing, including solo acoustic guitar for weddings and events. I still feel very lucky to be able to make music such a big part of my life. Whether I'm helping someone pick up a guitar for the first time, working with an experienced player, or performing at a wedding, I enjoy the variety of what I do and the people I get to meet along the way.
GUITARIST & PERFORMER
I've worked professionally as a musician since graduating from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, where I achieved a First Class Honours degree in Music. My career has taken me across the UK and Europe through performing, touring, recording, songwriting and collaboration. I've played in various bands and musical projects, supporting artists including The Libertines, Feeder and The Rifles, and performing at venues including Alexandra Palace, Brixton Academy and Manchester Academy 1. I've also worked in the studio with producers including Ken Nelson, known for his work with Coldplay and Badly Drawn Boy, and Rich Turvey, known for his work with Blossoms and The Coral. My music has received radio play on BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 6 Music and XFM, as well as stations across Europe. Alongside teaching, I continue to perform professionally, with a particular passion for fingerstyle acoustic guitar. This has led to performing solo guitar for weddings and events, as well as collaborating with other musicians and instrumentalists.
TEACHER & MUSIC EDUCATOR
Teaching has been a major part of my life for over 15 years, alongside my career as a professional musician. I've taught thousands of students, from young children and complete beginners through to advanced players and professional musicians. My experience covers individual lessons, group classes, workshops and whole-class teaching, across private tuition, primary schools, colleges and music services. I've helped students through music grades, GCSE, BTEC and A-Level Music, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate music studies. I've also worked with young musicians as they have progressed from school into music college, higher education and professional music. Over the years I've established and run a music service and music school, as well as developing guitar courses and bespoke music syllabuses for schools and students. But for me, teaching isn't simply about learning songs or passing exams. I want students to understand what they're doing, become confident musicians and develop the skills to keep learning independently. My aim is to help people become increasingly self-sufficient: able to practise effectively, understand the music they're playing and eventually find their own direction. Ultimately, I want to give students the skills, understanding and confidence to become the musician they want to be.
EXPERIENCE
A career built around playing, teaching and making music.
LIPA Graduate
First Class Honours BA in Music from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, covering performance, songwriting, composition, recording and music theory.
15+ Years Teaching
Experience teaching guitar and music to children and adults, from complete beginners through to advanced players and professional musicians.
Professional Performer
Extensive performing and touring experience across the UK and Europe, including supporting established artists at major venues.
Recording & Songwriting
Experience working with professional producers, musicians and recording studios across a range of musical projects.
Weddings & Events
Professional solo fingerstyle guitar for wedding ceremonies, drinks receptions, corporate events and other occasions.
Stockport Based
Based in Edgeley, Stockport, teaching locally and performing across Greater Manchester, Cheshire and the wider North West.
MUSIC IS STILL WHAT I LOVE
After all these years, I'm still fascinated by music. I'm still writing, recording, learning new songs and working on my own musical projects. I'm still discovering things on the guitar that I didn't know were possible, and I'm still learning from the musicians around me. I think that's important as a teacher. I'm not someone who stopped being a musician when I started teaching. I'm still actively playing, performing and learning, and that experience naturally feeds into my lessons. Music has been a constant throughout my life, and I'm lucky that I get to make it such a big part of my work too.
MY STORY
How I got here.
I grew up in a family of professional classical musicians, so music was always around me. I started out playing around with piano and trumpet before discovering the guitar at the beginning of high school.
It didn't take long for the guitar to become much more than just an instrument I played. I became fascinated by the whole world of music: writing songs, forming bands, rehearsing, recording and performing. While I was still at school and college I was already playing regularly, including winning a Battle of the Bands competition and supporting the poet and musician John Cooper Clarke.
At college I gained Distinctions in Grade 8 RSL Electric Guitar and Grade 8 LCM Popular Music Theory, but much of my musical education came from the practical experience of playing, writing and working with other musicians.
Young Jonny, discovering a life in music.
Graduation from LIPA.
My decision to study at LIPA came about in a fairly unexpected way. My dad, a professional classical musician, was involved in a rehearsal for John Lord of Deep Purple's Concerto for Group and Orchestra. I happened to meet John during the rehearsals, and later joined him and my dad for a meal and a glass of wine. The conversation that evening left a lasting impression on me and helped inspire me to pursue music further.
I went on to study for a BA in Music at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, graduating with First Class Honours. The course covered performance, songwriting, composition, music theory, recording and the wider practical and creative aspects of being a working musician.
My time at LIPA was hugely influential. I met many of the musicians who would go on to become long-term collaborators and lifelong friends, while learning from some incredible musicians and teachers. This included a songwriting tutorial with Paul McCartney and masterclasses from musicians including Tommy Emmanuel.
Since leaving LIPA, I've built a career across performing, recording, songwriting and teaching. I've toured and performed across the UK and Europe, worked with producers and other musicians, and continued developing as a guitarist.
At the same time, teaching has grown into an equally important part of my life. What started alongside my performing career has developed into more than 15 years of teaching, running a music school, working with schools and colleges, and helping thousands of students learn and develop as musicians.
And that's really where I am now: still performing, still teaching, still learning and still finding new ways to make music.
Performing live
MUSIC IS WHAT I DO
Whether you're looking for guitar lessons or a guitarist for your wedding or event, I'd love to hear from you.
Guitar Lessons
Learn guitar with an experienced professional musician, with lessons tailored to your goals, experience and interests.
Guitar LessonsWeddings & Events
Beautiful live acoustic guitar for ceremonies, drinks receptions, weddings and events across the North West.
Weddings & EventsA few moments from along the way.
