About

A man with long dark curly hair and a beard playing an electric guitar in a dimly lit venue, with colorful stage lighting.

Steve Balkwill (BaHons) is a highly accomplished guitarist and tutor currently based in the picturesque market town of St Ives, Cambridgeshire.

After graduating from the prestigious Academy Of Contemporary Music with a first class degree and Higher Diploma in Guitar Performance, he has spent his life performing across the UK & Europe in various originals bands, cover & function bands, duos, trios, orchestras, tribute bands and even solo fingerstyle in venues large and small. He has played on some of the UK’s and Europe’s most iconic stages (including Rock City, The Forum, The Ritz) and shared festival bills (Download, Sonisphere) with some of the biggest names in rock music. His skills have seen his music featured in magazines, TV & Radio & he has held artist endorsements with the legendary Marshall Amplifiers and Faith Guitars.

Growing up obsessed with music, Steve has developed a diverse & eclectic music taste, culminating in the development of a unique voice on the instrument. Starting off his journey at age 11, he was obsessed with all things rock - from the classics, to indie & then alternative music. From there he discovered a passion for the blues, cutting his teeth frequently at jam nights in the Surrey area - studying the all time greats in B.B. King & Albert Collins, to modern guitar heroes such as John Mayer, Matt Schofield, Robben Ford & Josh Smith. He then developed a love for country guitar playing, inspired by chicken pickers like Albert Lee, Johnny Hiland & Guthrie Trapp, amongst many more!

Also a keen fingerpicker, Steve has honed his fingerstyle prowess dedicating hundreds of hours to studying the works of legends such as Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, Tommy Emmanuel, Merle Travis & Joe Robinson.

A professional musician the whole of his adult life, Steve has now been teaching for 18 years, inspiring hundreds of students from all ages and walks of life - from those simply wanting to play for their own satisfaction, to those who have gone on to launch their own music careers, signed to record labels, studied at music colleges and find success in their own bands.

Lessons

A scenic river scene with a rowboat carrying five people, houses along the riverbank, lush green trees, and a church steeple in the distance under a cloudy sky. This is St Ives, Cambridgeshire.

Steve has recently relocated to St Ives, Cambridgeshire from the music town of Guildford, Surrey, where he was one of the most in demand guitar tutors in the area.

From September 2026 he will be extending his hours and opening up some new time slots.

Please note: Most time slots are currently taken and there is a waiting list for certain slots, but it’s worth sending a message to see what’s still available. Hopefully we can make something work!

Steve specialises in fun and practical tuition in Electric or Acoustic Guitar for all ages and abilities across and can cater to a wide range in music tastes.

  •  All abilities and ages (8+) welcome

  •  Quality guitar tuition in a calm, relaxed atmosphere

  •  Many different styles taught – Rock, Pop, Blues, Acoustic Fingerstyle, Country, Funk, Folk, Bluegrass, Jazz and more!

  •  Steve has carefully crafted and created his own syllabuses from 16 years of teaching and carefully figuring out the best roadmaps to success on the instrument; however, no two pupils are the same - lessons are therefore tailored and adapted to fit each individual student’s needs. Some students prefer a structured approach whereas some prefer following their own unique tastes. Some prefer a more theory-based approach, some prefer to use songs mainly as their vehicle for learning - Steve is happy to tailor lessons to your needs and personal goals + work at your own pace.

  •  Some students wish to study the grade system - Steve currently holds a 100% Merit/Distinction student pass rate for graded exams.

A room with bookshelves filled with books, a partially visible electric guitar leaning against a bookshelf, a small amplifier, a music stand, and a window with sunlight coming through. A potted plant is on the windowsill.
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A man with curly hair and a beard (Steve) playing an electric guitar in a dark room.

Get in Touch

A band performs on stage in a dimly lit venue with a red glow, with the audience watching.

To book lessons, please fill out the form.

I’ll be in touch within 24-48 hours.

A musician with curly hair playing an electric guitar on stage with green and blue lighting.
Musicians performing on stage with colorful lighting, one playing an electric guitar and another singing into a microphone, surrounded by an audience.