As well as producing a range of fine Guitars, Cassidy Guitar Studio also has a track record of producing some very fine Musicians.

Lewis Deverell started his lessons at the Cassidy Guitar Studio in January 2023 at the age of 12. He had been playing the Guitar for about 18 months and had had no formal lessons apart from some help from his Uncle – one of my former Students, Ian Bragg.

My initial assessment of Lewis was that he was at Grade 2 on the RGT / LCM Electric Guitar Grades. By April 2023 he had very quickly progressed through Grades 2, 3 and 4 and started on Grade 5. By July Lewis had achieved a DISTINCTION at Grade 5 – within 7 months of him starting his Lessons and still only 12 years of age and causing much frustration amongst some of my other hard working students!

By Winter 2023 Lewis had achieved a MERIT at Grade 6, SUMMER 2024 a MERIT at Grade 7, and by Spring 2025 a MERIT at Grade 8 – and still only 14 years of age!

What next? Well Lewis has his eye on an Electric Bass Guitar Grade 8 Exam followed by the LCM / RGT Jazz Guitar Diplomas. He’s also joined the Durham Youth Big Band, and as an RAF Cadet he’s achieved a Silver Musician’s Badge. He’s also completed his Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award in August 2024 and is currently working towards his Silver Award by September this year.  In addition to all of this, Lewis is also a self taught but accomplished Pianist and plays Bass, Drums and Harmonica.

Not particularly interested in Pop, Classic Rock or Blues, Lewis is a young man with an old Jazz head on his shoulders. Where he has got that from nobody knows – maybe a bit of my old Teacher Cedric West finding a way through to the next generation?

Very well done Lewis and I’m glad to be able to spend some time with you on your journey…