Born in Manchester, Jon Varley began learning the piano at the age of 11.  He developed a keen interest in the guitar two years later and by the age of 16 became a full time music student at University College Salford.  Here he studied with the famous concert guitarist Neil Smith, where aswell as gaining a performance diploma in music, his outstanding acheivement was well recognised and merited by the "Music Student of the Year Award" along with a special commendation.  Embarking upon further study, Jon was also awarded an LGSMD Recital Diploma with honours from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and gained a distinction in his Post Graduate Diploma in music performance from the RWCMD (Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama) studying under internationally renowned guitarists John Mills, Eleftheria Kotzia and Chris Stell (from the famous Eden-Stell guitar duo) .  He was also awarded the prestigious John Mills guitar prize.  During his study, Jon performed to a variety of distinguished players and teachers through masterclasses with Nigel North, Ricardo Iznaola, Sven Lunderstad, Antigoni Goni, Kai Nieminen and many others, all giving him positive encouragement in pursuing a professional career in music.  More recently, Jon was awarded the FLCM Fellowship Diploma from the London College of Music.  He is now based in Cardiff, where he runs his own guitar school and is a music examiner for grade examinations.