Alan Docherty
Alan is a an experienced musician of 40 years with his first gig at the age of 14 in the Chrysler Club in Linwood. Since then he has never stopped gigging, pausing only for the pandemic.
Alan has taught in the Academy since 2004 taking a few years out to work in The Preshal Trust in Govan, where Music was still at the heart of his work. He is extremely glad to be back as the Academy feels like home.
Alan offers excellent support in school work for music, his record for supporting children through their exams is unblemished and has had great success in putting children through The “Rockschool” program with every pupil receiving excellent results in their grades.
Alan has worked in the community since 1991 with youth and adult groups in many organisations taking workshops and individual teaching. He was a founder member of F.A.M.E. (Ferguslie Arts & Music Education.) which ran for many years, working with youth and adult groups, eventually also moving into workshops and teaching with more challenging work such as Learning Difficulties & Autism.
Specialist Instruments
Guitar and Mandolin Bass
Specialist Instruments
Flute and Saxaphone
Rachel Duns
Since taking up classical flute lessons at the age of 7, Glasgow born musician Rachel Duns has been taking the jazz scene by storm. Supplementing flute with the tenor saxophone in her teen years, she has not looked back.
Recently completing a Bachelor of Music (Hons) in Jazz Saxophone at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and being awarded ‘Rising Star’ at the 2021 Scottish Jazz Awards, Duns has been performing regularly as a member of funk and soul outfit The Tomorrow Band featuring Average White Band’s Hamish Stuart and her eponymous quintet, performing original music blending jazz with blues, soul and hip-hop.
Rachel is passionate about teaching and aspires to be a strong role model for young people, believing that it is important to encourage and inspire the next generation of musicians.
Graeme Proctor
My name is Graeme Proctor I’m a professional drummer and I have worked at the Paisley academy of music for over a decade. My music career began in 1987 when I started learning to play the drums & trumpet.
I went on to pass standard & higher grade music and was awarded the schools prize for musicianship. During my time at school I participated in many varied musical activities including the school concert band, soloist competitions, brass bands, drama groups and more.
I studied music at college gaining NC – HNC – HND in music performance and promotion. During my time at college I gained valuable experience in playing live and recording as well as gaining a useful insight into the music industry.
I have worked with many bands over the years some of which have charted in the Scottish top 40 and made it onto national radio playlists also gaining coverage in other national media and also supporting established acts. I’m a versatile player and I enjoy playing most genres of music ranging from rock, pop, jazz & blues through to classical, traditional & military. I’ve worked with orchestras, show bands, cover bands, original bands, ceilidh bands and various other projects and groups.
Over the years I have developed a program that gives my pupils the rudiments & co-ordination exercises they need to become good players. I encourage music appreciation through listening to music and suggested YouTube videos for inspiration. I’m competent at teaching the current SQA curriculum as well as other materials used by schools i.e. Rockschool, Drums Live, Dave Hassel’s graded course for drums and more.
Specialist Instruments
Drums and Trumpet
Specialist Instruments
Piano and Keyboard
Joshua Ler
Joshua is a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with a Bachelor of Music (First Class Honours) in Keyboard Performance. Prior to studying at the RCS, Joshua graduated with a Diploma in Piano Performance at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore. He had achieved a ABRSM Grade 8 in piano at the age of 12.
Dez Murray
Dez has over twenty years experience teaching music to all age groups and abilities.
He has also worked with many well known musicians and has travelled to many parts of Europe, performing mainly rock and traditional music.
A patient approach makes him ideal for introducing beginners to the wonders of music.
