Guitarist set to rock Devon school pupils with music lessons
Steve Down, a talented young guitarist who is in two bands, has become one of Devon's youngest music tutors.
The 23-year-old took up his job, which he combines with session work, gigs around the country and composing duties, because he was disappointed with the lack of opportunities he had as a teenager.
But since returning to the classroom, Steve says he has been staggered by the musical talent in the city, as well as the facilities and lessons.
He works at Isca College of Media Arts, Exminster Community Primary, Tedburn St Mary Primary and Taunton College of Art. He also takes private clients.
Steve also teaches in his old school, Bowhill, which he attended when it was John Stocker.
Steve formed Kiina with friend Katarina Holmberg and also fronts jazz band The Swiss.
He started playing the guitar aged 10 and is now in demand as a session musician. Steve has played with Keith Emerson, from Emerson Lake and Palmer and worked with Amy Winehouse's backing band as well as Take That's drummer, the Sugababe's bass player and Jeff Beck's drummer.
He has also composed music for the National Theatre.
Kiina is unsigned but the band has a publishing deal with Sony BMG. They hope to sign a record deal for Kiina and regularly play in London, most recently at the Ramshackle and the 12 Bar Club, former venue for Pink Floyd. They have also supported Neneh Cherry and Incognito.
Steve's jazz work is being produced by well-known musician Neil Cowley. "Many of my gigs are unpaid, so I became a teacher as a way of paying for the band," said Steve, who lives in Bow.
"When I was at school nobody taught us the kind of thing I wanted to do in music, but nowadays that's all changed and there's much more funding. I think I can be useful to teenagers because I have a lot of contacts in the business now.
"I've been so impressed with the enthusiasm and talents of the students and how keen they are to perform."
As well as songwriting and composing Steve is also trained to give workshops in creating music without using instruments.
He studied at Southampton University and was taught by Courtney Pine's guitarist Dave Marchant.
Young musician Steve Down has worked with many famous names and now teaches music to school pupils LAURENCE UNDERHILL EE180808_LU01_01
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