A TALENTED local musician has joined forces with cultural group RIG Arts to run an innovative learning programme aimed at helping young musicians hit the big time.

Drummer Lesley McLaren has teamed up with the arts organisation to run a music school for young people keen to develop their skills.

The 12-week project will see Lesley supported by musicians and songwriters Kieran Savage and Carla Easton, and by youth trainee Anna Jack who plays in the band Strange Dimensions.

Young people who get involved will benefit from tuition on drums, bass, guitar and synthesiser, and will learn more about songwriting, music promotion, using social media, booking gigs, photography and video.

Lesley, who runs Hit Squad tuition and plays in bands including The Hedrons, Lola in Slacks, and The Revel Sparks, said: "The music scene in Greenock is exploding again and there's a whole new generation coming up.

"It's a very supportive environment in Inverclyde - bands help each other out and they're really pleased for each other when they secure big gigs.

"We're hoping this could evolve into a community hub for young musicians."

The music school is open to young people under the age of 25 who are complete beginners, are already playing in bands and want to develop their skills, or who want to get involved in playing in a band.

It follows on from the successful 'They Play' and 'She Plays' workshops run by Lesley and fellow musician Shelagh Mackay Jones.

At the weekly sessions, held at RIG's Greenock base, young participants will get the chance to get involved in songwriting workshops and weekly jams and there will be plenty of live performance opportunities.

The course has been made possible thanks to Creative Scotland funding and £600 raised at a recent 80s night organised by Lesley.

Some very generous musicians from Inverclyde and further afield have also donated instruments and given discounts on sound equipment.

Jason Orr of RIG Arts hopes the music school will help young people find different ways to get their talents out there.

He added: "We'll be supporting the young musicians with how they can showcase and share their work.

"We'll no doubt learn from them as well and we want to create an open studio for musicians."

Lesley says she's looking forward to sharing her knowledge and experience of playing and touring with the young musicians, alongside Kieran and Carla.

She said: "We're out there gigging and performing so it's only right that we share our stories and experience with people keen to know more about the industry.

"I'm really excited about it."

The music school will run on Monday nights from 7-9pm, starting in January.

To find out more email info@rigarts.org

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STICKING TOGETHER Drummer Lesley McLaren and Jason Orr of RIG Arts