Richard Hillyer Music

Richard started playing the electric guitar at age eight after being inspired by a Spanish guitarist on a family holiday in Menorca. Richard was privately taught up until age fifteen and continued his study of music through college and university after he left school. He performed regularly as a child gigging from age nine in social clubs and retirement homes, playing a variety of Shadows/Buddy Holly music. Richard has entered numerous competitions over the years, one of which he came second in at the Fry’s Club Search For A Star Competition. He has also performed at the Lakeside venue where the Darts are televised, winning a Fender guitar presented to him by Bruce Welch of The Shadows. He also played for five years in a successful pub/wedding, functions band called Outbreak. Richard continues to regularly involve himself in performances and has deputised for many local bands including Tundra & Obsidian. Richard also performs regularly with a six piece wedding/function band called Freeze. He is a full time professional musician, making a living from performing, teaching and studio session work. Richard has seven years teaching experience and has performed in thousands of venues all over the South West in the seventeen years he has been playing the guitar. He graduated with a BA Honours Degree in Professional Musicianship from the Bristol Institute Of Modern Music. He has been featured on their website under success stories. Take a read Here. Musicians who have passed through the doors have included, James Bay, The Kooks & George Ezra. He has been lucky enough to receive master classes from guitarists such as Greg Howe (Michael Jackson’s guitarist) Rene Woollard (Jessie J/Olly Murs/Cheryl Cole session guitarist) and has been taught by professional guitarists who regularly work for Guitarist, Total Guitar & Guitar Techniques magazines including Stuart Ryan & Jamie Humphries. Richard was also lucky enough to perform onstage with bassist Jet Harris from The Shadows. He has also featured in an interview on making a living as a professional guitarist in Total Guitar magazine, issue number #257. He has experience teaching in schools as part of the South Gloucestershire Music Hub, so he’s comfortable teaching in a group lesson environment.