Mike Outram
Highcliffe, Devon, TQ14 8UL
mike@mikeoutram.com | 07855 395116
Professional Summary
Dynamic and experienced music educator and guitarist with over 25 years of teaching experience across Further and Higher Education, including posts at the Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, and Trinity Laban.
Specialist in jazz guitar, improvisation, and ensemble direction. Highly effective with students of all ages and abilities, from school learners to postgraduate musicians. Accomplished in curriculum development, workshop facilitation, and student mentoring. Passionate about nurturing creativity, individual expression, and musical confidence. Also a seasoned performer and founder of ElectricCampfire.com, an online learning community serving over 800 guitarists globally.
Teaching Experience
Guitar Professor
Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London | 2015–Present
Royal Academy of Music, London | 2003–Present
Trinity Laban Conservatoire, London | 2000–Present
- Teach BMus and MMus students with emphasis on jazz guitar, improvisation, transcription, and ensemble performance
- Mentor students, contribute to curriculum development, lead workshops and masterclasses
Founder & Guitar Educator
ElectricCampfire.com | 2014–Present
- Created and manage an online learning platform for jazz and improvisation
- Developed extensive video lesson library, practice resources, and hosted live Q&A sessions
Jazz Course Tutor
Richmond Adult Community College | 2021–Present
- Teach jazz theory, performance, and guitar technique to adult learners
Visiting Lecturer, Ensemble Coach, Examiner
Various Institutions | 2000–2024
- Delivered tuition and workshops at The Purcell School, King’s College London, Middlesex University, Leeds College of Music, Royal Welsh College, BIMM, Dartington, Dartmouth College (USA), and more
Jazz Summer School Tutor
2000–Present
- Tutored at Wavendon, Glamorgan, Burnley, Jazzwise, and Jamey Aebersold Summer Schools
- Led ensemble sessions, improvisation clinics, and instrumental coaching
Workshop Leader
Music Hubs, Schools & Colleges | 1995–Present
- Led jazz and improvisation workshops in schools and universities
- Delivered sessions for Birmingham Conservatoire, Strathclyde University,
RNCM, and international programs in Austria, South Africa, and Sri Lanka - Worked with children with SEN through Live Music Now
Further & Adult Education Lecturer
Various Colleges | 1994–2000
- Taught guitar and musicianship at Tameside College, Nelson & Colne College, Access to Music, Woolston Adult Education
- Designed progressive teaching materials and prepared students for Trinity Rock School assessments and university entry
Education & Qualifications
MMus (Distinction), University of West London | 2008
Fellowship of the London College of Music (FLCM) | 2008
- Additional study with Mike Walker, Steve Berry, Fiona Harrison
Skills & Competencies
- Jazz, classical, folk, and contemporary guitar performance
- Electric bass guitar
- Music theory, harmony, sight-reading, and aural training
- Improvisation and ensemble leadership
- Student mentoring and audition preparation
- Online course design and digital teaching
- Cross-genre fluency: jazz, classical, rock, soul, film music
- Workshop delivery and masterclass facilitation
Selected Performance Experience
- Featured on over 150 albums (Universal, Sony, Blue Note, etc.)
- Collaborated with Steven Wilson, Herbie Mann, Donny McCaslin, Nikki Iles,
Hamish Stuart, Trish Clowes, Robert Fripp, Carleen Anderson, Keith Carlock,
Tim Garland, Theo Travis, and others. - BBC Proms at Royal Albert Hall with Aurora Orchestra
- Toured extensively across Europe, Japan, South America, Africa, Asia
- Film/TV work includes scores for “Song for Marion”, “Hurricane”, and “Silent
Shakespeare”.
Memberships
- Musicians’ Union | PRS | MCPS