Here’s a list of our current tutors and the main instruments they teach;

Andy Gray – Guitar (Acoustic & Electric): Melrose & North Berwick
Andy started playing the guitar (electric) at 15 years old. Mainly influenced by rock music, he had tuition from Sound Control in Dundee for an number of years before playing in a rock covers band in and around Tayside. It was not until the early 2000’s that he started to become interested in acoustic guitar. This coincided with the opening of the Merlin Music shop in Melrose where he was properly introduced to the traditional/folk music scene and was soon attending local sessions. His tuition encapsulates many different styles, genres and techniques.  Andy has obtained Feisan Nan Gaidheal tutor qualifications.
Andy is passionate about offering high quality tuition but within a fun, supportive environment. He teaches in groups and 1:1s. Andy is PVG registered.

Iain Fraser – Fiddle: Melrose
Iain Fraser is a Fiddler and Fiddle Teacher. His teaching includes group workshops. helping people young and old to pursue their musical dreams, as well as making music a fun social experience available to all. Between 1990-1995 he took on and developed the Glasgow Fiddle Workshop from a small group meeting in his house to a broad range of classes operating in central Glasgow. He was principal fiddle teacher in the Scottish Music department of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland between 1995-2005 before being appointed Head of Instrumental Music for the Scottish Borders Education Authority until 2011. He’s taught at many summer music camps – The Sunshine Coast School, Rocky Mountain Fiddle School, Swananoa Gathering, Valley of the Moon, Lusaka International School and Southern Hemisphere Scottish Fiddle School amongst many others. Iain has been our fiddle tutor and music director for the last 7 years and is very passionate about offering high quality tuition in a fun relaxed environment. Iain leads the Merlin Academy Summer School every year and runs our Fortnightly Fiddle Club.

Linzi Coulson – Fiddle : Melrose 
Linzi started playing classical violin at school and in her teens played with the Fife Youth String Orchestra as well as singing in the Fife Youth Choir and enjoyed performing in wonderful venues such as Culross Abbey and Dunfermline Carnegie Hall. After graduating from university she worked and travelled across Europe including spells as an outdoor instructor, cook and trainer before settling in the Scottish Borders and returning to her passion, music. Discovering Merlin Academy of Traditional Music and under the stewardship of Iain Fraser, Linzi has rekindled her love of Scottish fiddle and now delights in sharing her passion with others in writing, performing and tutoring and is PVG registered. Linzi teaches/offers Group lessons and 1:1’s.

Jenny Biddle  – Acoustic Guitar (Beginners-Advanced) Ukulele (Beginners – Advanced) Piano (Beginners – Intermediate)

Australian Blues and Roots musician, Jenny began her musical journey on the Ukulele at the age of 4, bursting into the living room with her Uke and plastic microphone in hand. Now with 8 albums under her belt, Jenny’s lifelong love for songwriting, recording, teaching and performing has seen her touring internationally throughout the UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland and Germany. With a degree in Education (BA Dip Ed) she enjoys helping each individual reach their creative goals, whether that be songwriting, performing, learning to sing and play an instrument around a campfire or starting a band. With a keen interest in blues, modern folk, rock, country and popular music, Jenny would love to help you find your own creative outlet through music. She can teach Songwriting, acoustic and electric guitar, piano, bass and Ukulele to all ages and abilities.

Aishling started learning at the age of 10, where she developed a passion for singing. From that age she learned guitar, and later clarinet, honing her talents in many local music groups – including church choirs, community choirs and wind ensembles. From her small town of Peebles she went on to study at Edinburgh College Music Box, ultimately earning an HND in classical music performance and later going on to study at Edinburgh Napier University. During this time she began her work as a music and performance tutor, and has now been teaching for over a decade – including singing, musical performance, drama, piano, clarinet and other woodwind. Having worked for many different companies and charities over the years, Aishling has developed a special interest in teaching those with a wide variety of disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down’s syndrome, and other learning difficulties. In these sessions a wide range of techniques is used including the Figurenotes system, differentiated scores and bundles of patience. Aishling’s lessons are all individually prepared and approached holistically in order to suit the goals and needs of each pupil. She has also entered many of her students in school exams and different exam boards including ABRSM and RSL with a 100% pass rate. One thing you can guarantee with Aishling is that you will always have a giggle at the same time as feeling appreciated and encouraged in your musical learning and development.

Frazer Watson – Drums & Percussion – Melrose
Frazer Watson BA(Hons) has been performing since the age of 14. As well as experience with theatre and cruise ships, he has a diverse range of gigging experience from punk to jazz and funk to folk with numerous BBC radio appearances such as; The John Peel Sessions, Celtic Connections, Mary Anne Kennedy Show and Global Gathering. He regularly performs with Horovod Balkan Ensemble, Matt Seattle Band, Crafty Beggars and The Stevie Creed live hip hop band.
Frazer also has many years of experience teaching both drums and percussion
in groups and individually. Frazer is PVG registered.