Aled first fell in love with music at a very young age when he found his parent's record collection. From that point onward, he was hooked and knew that music was going to play a major role in his life. 

After studying Music Technology, he went on to tour in bands as a singer, principal songwriter, and guitarist, playing shows all over the UK as well as Europe and Canada. He has played some of the most prestigious music festivals in the world such as Reading and Leeds, Bestival, The Great Escape, Boardmasters, Eurosonic,  and even Canadian Music Week. He has also received national radio play on Radio One and Absolute Radio as well as on stations internationally too.

Aled has been teaching music for over 15 years with many of his students going on to study music at degree and even PhD level. His teaching style is friendly and concise and he is always willing to go the extra mile for his students. He has taught thousands of lessons over the years and still writes and records music of his own as well as collaborating with other songwriters on a regular basis.

Lee has been involved in music since an early age and has been teaching for the past 12 years. Holding a BA degree in music, a masters in Songwriting and `production, and a PCET in teaching, Lee has a clear and insightful overview of music and teaching.

Recently he has been running songwriting workshops and is now a resident lecturer at Gower College on their Music and Performance course.

Lee has a deep passion for teaching and is always keen for his students to develop into musicians, giving them insight from every angle of the music industry.

Gaz began his musical journey at 13 and by the age of 14, he was playing drums in local band. He quickly made a name for himself in the local scene as one of Llanelli's most accomplished players, gaining him the nickname 'Gaz Drums'.

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Gaz went on to study Popular Music before studying music at degree level at Bournemouth University. After his return to Llanelli, Gaz found his love for teaching the drums. He taught in primary schools in the Cardiff area as well as teaching privately, a practice that has continued to this day. Gaz has taught hundreds of students over the years, some going on to study at heavyweight music universities such as BIMM and ACM. His trademark hat and smile are known well in the music scene and he continues to record and perform with function bands all over the UK.

"I'm a passionate and experienced guitarist with a deep love for blues and rock.  Having studied music in Brighton, I've spent years honing my craft both on stage and behind the scenes.  I enjoy playing everything from intimate gigs to large-scale events such as weddings and cruise ship shows across Asia.

My playing is versatile, confident and expressive, with a strong focus on solos, rhythm and improvisation. I don't just teach people how to play the guitar—I teach them how to perform. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your playing to the next level, I offer insights not only into technique but also into the world of gigging and live performance." 

Gareth's passion for music blossomed at a young age. He quickly developed a deep appreciation for the raw energy of roots music – rock, blues, country, and Americana, but his musical curiosity extends to all genres. A seasoned gigging musician, he's toured all around the UK, parts of Europe, and even Africa, captivating audiences ranging from intimate gatherings of 50 to massive festival crowds. Gareth is a prolific songwriter who releases his own material, with songs regularly finding themselves on the BBC Radio Wales A-List play list. He's also graced the airwaves of Planet Rock Radio, countless stations worldwide, and has co-written a song featured in an advert for Porsche starring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter (Bill & Ted!). He’s even made it to the finals of the prestigious Nashville-based International Songwriting Competition. Gareth hold’s a deep passion for mental health and wellbeing. He has worked for national mental health charities for many years on major campaigns. During this time, he found a way to combine his passions, by developing and delivering music-based workshops as a tool for emotional expression, positive support, and overall wellbeing. Gareth is a natural nurturer, with many years experience teaching guitar, songwriting and music production to young people and adults of all abilities, on a 1-2-1 basis or in group situations. His supportive and friendly approach fosters a positive and encouraging environment for all to learn and grow musically.

Hollie Singer has grown up around music, which plays a huge part in her life. She has gained lots of experience in different areas of the industry, from being the lead vocalist and guitar player in Carmarthen band Adwaith, who has toured all over the world and played festivals such as Glastonbury, Green Man, End of the Road, and South by South West, as well as winning the welsh music prize twice for their debut and sophomore albums. She also has experience in musical theatre, having studied performing arts, and has a first-class honors degree in popular and commercial music. She has worked in the education sector for the last year and is excited to bring her teaching skills and musical knowledge to Music Factory.

Nik describes himself as a drummer/entertainer, but how many x-buskers do you know with a PhD in contemporary classical music composition? In brief, Nik has performed at 1000's of venues and festivals across Europe; he's busked with Eddie Izzard, jammed with Jools Holland, and supported everyone from Showaddywaddy to Peter Gabriel. From 2011-2015 Nik was the drummer with "The Men They Couldn't Hang" playing drums and piano on their acclaimed album "The Defiant" and drums on the live album "Raising Hell" (YouTube videos here: https://youtu.be/lNqpz3e4raE & https://youtu.be/T6_zyzqn-ds ). 

Nik first studied drum rudiments at the age of 10, and has worked as a session drummer (rock/blues/jazz/ska/cabaret) since the age of 15; not to mention accidently drumming with a reggae band in Africa, a blues band in India, and a Symphony Orchestra in Tunbridge Wells. Nik brings this wealth of diverse cross-genre musical experience to his drum lessons, where everyone from absolute beginners to those wishing to refine their technique or study for grades is individually catered for. Along the way, you might just find yourself learning (i) how to sing 3-part harmony (an essential skill for working drummers), (ii) how to "properly" listen, and (iii) how to better read and understand music using drum scores and rhythm as a starting point. 

"Everyone is musical and everything is rhythmic..." (Nik BB)

Jonathan Davies is a dynamic and versatile musician hailing from the vibrant music scene of Mid and South Wales.

With a rich tapestry of influences ranging from pop, rock, and heavy rock to funk, indie rock, alternative, and

electronic music, Jonathan has crafted a unique sound that captivates audiences across various genres. His artistic

journey has been profoundly shaped by notable figures such as Jamie Morrison of the Stereophonics and Eddy

Thrower of Lower Than Atlantis, whose styles resonate within Jonathan's own work.

Jonathan's impressive performance history boasts appearances on renowned stages, including The 1865 and the

celebrated grassroots venue, The Joiners. He has also graced Theatr Brycheiniog as a house band member and

highlighted his talents at the YPV Festival alongside prominent Radio 1 DJ, Jordan North. His collaborations include

working with acclaimed artists such as James Oliver, the UK Blues Awards Emerging Artist of the Year 2020, and

various dep engagements with wedding and function bands, further highlighting his adaptability and professionalism

in live settings.

In addition to his performance career, Jonathan is the founder of Northern Ruins, a highly sought-after wedding band

based in Mid and South Wales. Through Northern Ruins, he has established a reputation for excellence and will soon

be featured on one of the UK's leading function band agencies, Tailored Entertainment. This venture exemplifies

Jonathan's commitment to delivering memorable musical experiences for couples on their special day.

Jonathan's musical prowess has garnered recognition from industry professionals, with his former band “The Pretty

Dark” being awarded Record of the Week by BBC Introducing. He holds a First Class Degree in Popular Music

Performance from Solent University, where he honed his skills and artistry. His dedication to the craft was further

enriched by two years of mentorship under Ben Kennedy, who has worked with major acts such as Foxes, Girls Aloud,

Ladyhawke, and Adam Lambert.

Currently, Jonathan is actively involved in several projects, including Northern Ruins and collaborations with artist

Adam Thorn, ensuring that his musical journey continues to evolve and inspire.