An Ipswich guitar teacher who taught Nandi Bushell and other young rising stars said Ipswich is full of talent – but hard work is the key to success.  

Tom McCarthy, 33, has been teaching guitar since he graduated from university in 2012. Aside from teaching, his own music career has taken him around the world, touring with bands and providing technical guitar expertise. He has recently returned from a UK tour working in stage production. 

Mr McCarthy has been teaching guitar to Nandi Bushell, the schoolgirl superstar who has played at Wembley, the O2 arena and Buckingham Palace, since she was eight years old. 

“She was naturally talented. She would always pick things up really quickly,” said Mr McCarthy. 

“It's not uncommon for people to pick things up quickly, but I always find the thing that makes a difference is how much they're interested in it, and how much they'll practice at home.  

Ipswich Star: Nandi Bushell is an Ipswich schoolgirl who has short to international stardom.Nandi Bushell is an Ipswich schoolgirl who has short to international stardom. (Image: John Bushell)

“There was obviously a lot of that going on.” 

Mr McCarthy is also the teacher of ten-year-old Arthur Baggett, the boy to whom Ed Sheeran gifted his guitar after an impromptu concert on the steps of Ipswich town hall. 

“He’s a great student, too. 

“Another of my students was in the School of Rock on the West End.” 

Sebastian Adams-Eaton was cast in the starring role of Zack in the hit musical in 2019. 

“He’s a fantastic musician,” said Mr McCarthy. “Seeing him perform in the musical was a really proud moment.” 

Having seen his pupils go on to achieve stardom, Mr McCarthy said that Ipswich should not be underestimated. 

“There are so many people that have made their start around this area, and they've gone on to do massive things,” he said. 

“For example, Ed Sheeran. He was playing at the Steamboat around the same time as my bands were doing that. We never crossed paths, but he's one of the biggest musicians in the world now.” 

He said he would encourage his students to work hard and chase their dreams. 

“I think when you see somebody doing some something that big, it's easy to have a disconnect and think, that could never be me in a million years,” he said. 

“But he's another person who had an incredible work ethic. 

“He had the talent – but the work ethic is the thing that's taken him to be the biggest musician in the world.”