My journey into Sound

Like a lot of things in my life, my journey into sound therapy didn’t come from some grand, master plan, it just sort of… happened. And yet, it’s become something far more significant than I ever expected: a genuine passion, a vocation, and, if I’m being honest, something that feels very much like purpose.

Before this, I spent 22 years in secondary education. I was a Philosophy teacher, a pastoral lead, and eventually Director of Sixth Form as part of the Senior Leadership Team. Those years were genuinely joyful. I had the privilege of working with, and learning from, hundreds of brilliant, complex, funny, and deeply unique young people. It’s a role that stays with you.

But after more than two decades, I started to feel that it was time for something different. I’d spent years telling students that there’s no longer such a thing as a “job for life,” encouraging them to stay open, to explore, to take opportunities when they arise. At some point, I realised it was time to take my own advice; always a slightly uncomfortable moment.

So, with the unwavering support of my wife, I stepped away from a secure, well-paid career (complete with pension, benefits, and those famously generous school holidays) to explore self-employment. Sensible? Debatable. Necessary? Absolutely.

What I did know was that I wanted to do something meaningful; something that had a positive impact on people. And I knew it had to be relational. Human beings are wired for connection, and whatever I chose to do needed to keep that at its core.

Alongside teaching, I’ve always been a musician (singer in a band called Bootlegger’s Turn—shameless plug, feel free to look us up). Through music, I’d already experienced, first-hand, just how powerful sound can be; how it can shift mood, create connection, and say things that words simply can’t.

That curiosity led me down a bit of a rabbit hole. Algorithms did their thing, and suddenly my world was filled with sound baths, music therapy, retreats… and then (cue slightly over-the-top angelic choir) I came across a diploma with Signature Sound Therapies, led by Gemm.

What stood out immediately was the rigour. There was a clear, grounded, and evidence-informed approach to sound therapy that really resonated with me. It felt like a welcome balance—something that honoured both the experiential and the scientific. (Don’t get me wrong, I’m very comfortable embracing my inner hippy. I’ve got the beard, the man bun, and a real ability to stand barefoot on a beach with an existential gaze out to sea as if on the verge of solving life’s biggest questions…)

After speaking with Gemm, I was completely sold, not just on the practice itself, but on the responsibility that comes with it. Sound therapy, when done well, isn’t just about creating a relaxing atmosphere; it’s about understanding how sound interacts with the body and nervous system in meaningful, measurable ways.

So, with continued encouragement (and what can only be described as heroic levels of patience) from my wife, I signed up for the diploma… and, naturally, invested what felt like a small fortune in instruments. Again, her patience really cannot be overstated.

As I progressed through the course, I found myself becoming increasingly absorbed in the science behind the practice. The deeper I went, the more it made sense and the more my work with clients began to develop. Each case study strengthened my understanding, not just of the techniques, but of the responsibility and care required to do this work well.

A year later, I completed the diploma with distinction across all areas.

And the truth is, it still feels like the beginning.

One of the things I value most about this work is that it’s never static. There is always more to learn, more to explore, and more to understand. It sits at that really interesting intersection of science, experience, and human connection—and that’s exactly where I want to be.

It’s with that ongoing curiosity, alongside a genuine sense of care and respect for the work, that I look forward to working with you.