A MAN who has managed some of the top names in the music industry over the past 20 years will be teaching the next generation of music maestros in Bournemouth.

Darrin Woodford, who has managed the likes of Feeder, Moloko and Ray Lamontagne, will be teaching students at Academy of Contemporary Music Regional (ACMR) in Kinson from September.

Mr Woodford, who grew up in Bournemouth, said he’s looking forward to taking up the role.

“I grew up in Bournemouth and recently moved back,” he explained.

“I had worked with ACMR in Guildford so when I heard they were launching a course down here I wanted to get involved.”

The music business diploma will be available to students aged 16 and over from the start of the next academic term.

“It will be aimed at people who want to go on to have a career in the music business, for artists as well as those who want to work on the production and management side,” Mr Woodford said.

The course will cover all aspects of the industry, including modules on promoting artists, writing online and managing social media. Mr Woodford, who has 44 top 40 singles to his name, said he hoped to bring out the best in young musicians in the area.

“There seems to be lots of musicians in Bournemouth. There always was when I was growing up. I have been in the music industry for 20 years working for various record labels and publishing companies. I see this as an opportunity to give something back.”

To find out more about the diploma visit acmregional.co.uk