Meet the Team

Emma Butler

CO-DIRECTOR
HEAD OF VOCALS & 1:1 LESSONS
Mel Coupe

CO-DIRECTOR
HEAD OF STRINGS & THEORY
Andy Walker

CO-DIRECTOR
HEAD OF EGO
James Grady

HEAD OF FOLK
Steve George

HEAD OF CLASSICAL GUITARS
Ralph Iles

FOLK ASSISTANT/COVER
Ellen Goodwin

CHOIR ASSISTANT

RMC’s 1:1 Teachers

Emma Smart

VOCALS

Emma has been teaching for many years in various settings including stage schools, dance schools, primary and secondary schools, privately and with Rugby Music Centre. Emma was trained at Stratford College and later at PQA, then studied and completed her Teaching Diploma under the mentorship of Emma Butler, as part of our Teacher Mentorship Scheme. Emma is a regular and versatile performer alongside her teaching, including weddings, charity events and concerts, but she enjoys musical theatre above all! That said, her teaching styles covers everything from classical to rock, and there is no song that she won’t give a good go!
Gracey Spring

VOCALS

Gracey is an experienced singer and teacher with Grade 8 certificates in classical singing and musical theatre; an LCM diploma in teaching musical theatre and over 10 years of teaching experience in singing and acting. Her passion is musical theatre, but she enjoys teaching all genres. One of her favourite things to do is share a love of music with her students, teaching them new songs and helping them to master their own personal favourites! When she isn’t teaching singing, Gracey also teaches Drama in the classroom, directs performances and regularly performs herself. Some of her favourite roles have been Elle Woods in ‘Legally Blonde’, Eliza Doolittle in ‘My Fair Lady’ and Lucy in ‘Jekyll and Hyde’. She is passionate about blending excellent technique with acting through song, helping students to grow in confidence and thrive as performers.
Tracey Daulman

PIANO

My name is Tracey Daulman from Rugby. At an early age I started learning the piano opening a wider interest in exploring other avenues of music with singing in various choirs including a church choir where I showed a keen interest in the church organ. I followed the exam route for both the piano and organ whilst being given opportunities to perform in local venues giving recitals as an organist and pianist and accompanying choirs. During these early days Rugby Music centre first appeared giving youngsters like myself opportunities to express themselves through music making, learning instruments 1:1 and in groups/ orchestras and singing in choirs with performing opportunities for all. I myself played the piano accompanying the musical productions along with other youngsters who would take part with singing and acting. On reflection this was a priceless opportunity and experience for myself and any child and today I am so pleased to say Rugby Music centre is still offering these opportunities for both child and adult alike. On leaving Cardiff where I studied music I was fortunate to live and work abroad for many years as an organist and as a piano teacher taught youngsters in both a different culture and language. For me, an invaluable journey never forgotten. On returning to Rugby I continue my work sharing my experiences as a piano teacher with the joy it brings in learning an instrument and the skills to create the music. Since February 2024 I joined the team of Rugby Music Centre as a piano teacher and look forward to welcoming you.
Linden Dion

GUITAR

With experience spanning just over two decades and a deep understanding of various musical traditions, I pride myself on being a true musical chameleon. Influenced by various artists in jazz, rock, reggae, folk, metal and many other forms of music, I aim to make learning guitar accessible to every one who can get their hands on one. Embracing a technique-through-repertoire approach, my lessons are customised according to the needs of the individual rejecting the one-size-fits-all approach that so many online courses commonly adopt. This allows a lot of my students to jump into the practical side of learning guitar using music they already resonate with from their very first lesson. We’ll then mix in various amounts of music theory mainly revolving around my exclusive chord substitution system that as we go along will be adjusted to cater to the individual needs of hobbyists and students alike as well as aspiring professionals so no matter what musical path you choose to wander, it will be one that leads to fruition.
Dan Marles

VOCALS

Daniel Marles is a high tenor studying at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in the West Midlands where he regularly performs early music, both in choral and soloistic contexts. He has love of the music of Montiverdi, Bach and Handel, particularly enjoying singing the music of French Baroque composers. Daniel sings under Jeffrey Skidmore in Ex Cathedra, performing under a scholarship with their main choir and professional consort, and features on their newest album as a soloist; He was also a member of the 23/24 Genesis 16 cohort, singing under Harry Christophers and Eamonn Dougan. A strong believer in the transformative power of music and the importance of people creating music with each other, Daniel is excited to begin sharing his knowledge and inspiration with others.
Megan Gyles

VOCAL TRAINEE

Megan is joining us from September 2024 as our newest trainee teacher. She will be under the mentorship of Emma Butler, preparing for her Diploma in Teaching. Megan is a Grade 8 Distinction vocalist having just completed 2 years of training in Musical Theatre at BOA. Megan also teaches dance and acting through song for Evolve Theatre Academy and we are really happy to have her on board this year!

Emma Butler

Mel Coupe

Andy Walker

James Grady

Steve George

Ralph Iles

Ellen Goodwin

RMC’s 1:1 Teachers

Emma Smart

Gracey Spring

Tracey Daulman

Linden Dion

Dan Marles

Megan Gyles

Rugby Music Centre

enquiries@rugbymusiccentre.co.uk