Cheshire born guitarist Billy Proctor is currently studying for a post-graduate degree at the Royal Northern College of Music. He also completed his undergraduate studies at the college where he graduated with a 1st class (hons) degree. 

Billy is currently studying with world renowned classical guitarist Craig Ogden as well as receiving further tutelage from contemporary music specialist and BBC Radio 3 presenter Tom McKinney and Rory Russell of the Aquarelle Guitar Quartet. He is currently supported in his studies with scholarship funding from the Richard Newitt Fund.

He began studying classical guitar with his father at the age of six and also began playing electric guitar at 11. He performed in a variety of ensembles and bands throughout his school years including performances on local BBC Radio.

Since gaining a coveted place at the RNCM in 2016, Billy has taken advantage of all the opportunities presented to him in and around Manchester. Continuing to use his knowledge of diverse styles, Billy has performed with the RNCM Jazz collective, including performances of new music written by RNCM student composers, and has become a sought-after pit musician performing in shows including Jesus Christ Superstar and Sister Act. Billy has also performed with renowned contemporary music group ‘Bang on A Can’ where he joined the group for Steve Reich’s ‘2x5’ when they visited and performed in the RNCM’s concert hall. 

During his studies, Billy has performed regularly across the Uk and within college in venues including Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, Whitworth art gallery and the University of Manchester’s Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall. He has also had the opportunity to participate in masterclasses with artists including Zoran Dukic, Marek Pasieczny, Steve Goss and lutenist Jacob Heringman. 

Billy has a keen interest in chamber music having formed a successful guitar duo with fellow RNCM student Mark Leighton. Together they have created a unique programme featuring original arrangements of impressionistic music by the likes of Debussy and Rachmaninov and have performed regularly in and around Manchester. Billy has also formed a quartet made up of mandolin, guitar, cello and double bass, in which he plays mandolin as well as guitar. This quartet performs mostly their own arrangements of a broad range of music from J.S. Bach to Jimmy Van Heusen.