David Ventura read music at Edinburgh University, has taught music in Scotland, Lancashire, Liverpool and the Isle of Wight, and was director of music at Hereford Sixth Form College for fifteen years up until 2009. He has lectured nationwide on music technology and has advised the UK Government on assessment in the National Curriculum for music at all key stages. He has acted as a consultant for the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, was chair of the Southern Examining Group's GCSE panel, has examined for a number of boards, and has also run many teacher-training courses for Keynote Education. David has written a number of publications, including Rhinegold's Understanding Popular Music and Film Music in Focus, co-authoring the Rhinegold KS3 Elements series, and numerous articles for Classroom Music magazine. He is a prolific composer and enjoys playing jazz piano.