Richard Taylor

Managing Director / Harmonica Tutor

Richard has been playing and teaching the harmonica for over thirty years and is a former National Harmonica Champion. In 2010 he began teaching harmonica in Primary Education as a HarpsCool licensed franchisee. In 2013 he launched his own independent harmonica music service, Harp Academy, providing music learning in Early Years and Primary School settings across Sussex.

Richard holds a Trinity College Level 4 Certificate for Music Educators (CME) and a BA Honours Degree in Contemporary European Studies. Since the inauguration of Harp Academy, thousands of mainstream students have benefited from his inspiring and inventive teaching methods, several achieving UK Junior Harmonica Player of the Year success (solo and ensemble), and he has enabled countless children with disabilities find their music.

Outside Harp Academy, Richard regularly performs live music shows fronting his rhythm and blues band The Blackjacks, and has shared stages across the USA, UK and Europe as a soloist and guest performer.

Richard edits the popular online harmonica website for adult learners Harp Surgery and is Executive Producer of Harpin’ By The Sea, Brighton’s annual international harmonica festival.