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**Covid 19 update** - exciting news
Like many businesses that rely on face to face interaction with their customers, the U-Team was thrown a rather large curve ball earlier this year and had to re-group to decide how to continue to deliver our fun group learning in this interim period but in completely the opposite way to our original mission! We're happy to say that many of our students chose to complete their courses online and wish to continue until we all meet again. In the interim, we have been working on a set of 'Corona Courses' to cover the forthcoming restrictions. This Course will be a host of comforting and uplifting songs/instrumentals incorporating new techniques and learning skills and suitable for Beginner, Improvers and Bass Students. The courses will include extra learning materials to support this new way of learning including practice sound files and video demonstrations alongside weekly zoom tuition with two tutors - one performance focused and one technique focused so represent great value for money. Further update! First set of online courses now complete and were a great success. Next set of online courses for Complete Beginners, Beginner Plus, Improvers and Ubass students start early September 2020 - see Upcoming courses. Website pre Covid 19:- Our Mission:- In a world focusing more and more on lone working and online tuition, U-Team recognize that whilst this is an inevitable technological advancement, it lacks in that it doesn't afford many of the benefits of actual physical human interaction particularly when learning in groups. They can miss out on so much fun, not just the warmth of the human touch but also the therapeutic benefits of experiencing camaraderie, confidence, feelings of belonging and team successes that foster important life skills. All these qualities are crucial to the well-being and success of the human race. It is with this in mind, U-Team have designed their musical learning experiences. Meet the U-Team below... |
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Russell Timms
Russ is an experienced Guitar and Ukulele Teacher in and around the Newbury area. He has been teaching for 10 years and has also toured Europe playing in Rock, Pop and Soul Bands.
Russ's love of guitar was inspired in childhood by his Uncle and Father who both played as young men. Currently playing with two local bands on Bass Guitar, Bass Ukulele and Electro Ukulele, he enjoys making music and having fun with other like-minded people.
He has a huge passion for collecting and playing Fender Squier Japanese Vintage guitars and basses, the Stratocaster being his 'fave' instrument from his growing collection of 9!
Russ’s teaching and tutoring skills include identifying when to musically challenge or support successes and his relaxed personality puts new students at ease and helps boost their confidence. Music is not his only passion however, off-road cycling and keeping healthy and fit is a key regime as is watching catch up TV and political programmes. At the end of a long day, you might find him enjoying a good pint of beer in a traditional pub playing live music. Russ’s foray into the U-Team business with Helen is part of his wish to expand his musical horizons by inspiring others wishing to make the same joyous journey. |
Helen Bates
Helen plays and teaches Ukulele and four years ago created N.U.T.S., a Ukulele Social and Strumalong Club in Newbury where every fortnight, she leads 30 or so strummers in a good ol' pub singalong. The majority of the club members have been with her from the start and some tell her it's been life-changing for them, has been 'instrumental' in seeing them through life challenges and improved their well-being and confidence.
Helen started playing Guitar in childhood taking lessons with her teacher, Mr Elliot in Staines, Middlesex. He often accompanied her on a beautiful Mandolin and one day, she promised herself, she too would play the 'Tiny Guitar'.
Nearly 30 years later, a present of a Ukulele from her husband was the trigger for leading her into the joyous world of Ukulele playing in a four piece band 'MisSpent Ukes' of Newbury and the formation of N.U.T.S - Newbury Ukulele Town Strummers. 
MisSpent Ukes of Newbury
In the year's in between, Helen gained ten year's experience working with children for Girlguiding Maidenhead where she was a Guider and District Commissioner. Playing guitar at many a campfire, she also headed up the music section of a large scale centenary celebration for South West England Girlguiding where her efforts were rewarded with The County Standard and a reception at St Jame's Palace with Girlguiding's president, Sophie, Countess of Wessex.
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