Nicholas Davie

B at A Level Music. A* at GCSE Music. Distinction in Grade 5 Theory. 1st Class BMus Performance degree, specialising in Contemporary Guitar. Grade 8 Trumpet Merit. Grade 5 Piano Pass. Been instrumental teaching and running Ensembles (specifically jazz/big bands) since the age of 16 (I am currently 28). Have been a part of semi successful Indie band before they disbanded in 2024 (60k followers on Instagram, 2k subscribers on YouTube, sold out UK tour in 2023).

Hazel Carter

I have played music since I was a child and have been teaching for about 20 years. I’ve worked for Berkshire Music Trust, Music for Schools Foundation and tge Early Music Centre. I’ve taught individual, group and whole class lessons. I’ve also conducted bands and ensembles including the Bershire Jazz Ensemble. Whilst working for a Seniot tutor for MFSF I was in charge of all teachers and schools in Oxfordshire.

Catherine Drew

BA(Hons) QTS music, drama, educational studies. Previous head of music in large independent school in Sussex. Now specialising in piano and vocal lessons plus children’s singing ensembles and choirs. Involved as a parent in Devon Youth Orchestra

Annabel Sheridan

Hello! I am a BMus graduate from the University of Surrey. I love to work with students age 11 and above. I have been a support staff for NCO, and an administrator for NYO. Musical since age 5.
University of Surrey / BMus: September 2020 – July 2024 Guildford, Surrey

Awards:
The Chamber Music Competition Award
Humphrey Richardson Taylor Charitable Trust Music Scholarship
Academic Music Commendation
The Music Department Piano Prize
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Recent Orchestras:
YMSO
Highbury Players
University of Surrey Orchestra
The Sirius Orchestra

Frederica Cunningham

Frederica specialises in teaching one on one singing lessons with students ranging from Year 6-final year. Regularly preparing students for Recitals and Bachelor of Music auditions, Frederica has extensive experience in choral conducting for school choirs as well as some classroom music teaching across the primary and secondary school level. When the opportunity arises, she also includes tuition of individual beginner piano students.

Frederica’s background as a performer and a teacher of voice and choirs has developed her understanding of vocal production for safe, healthy and powerful singing and incorporates a focus on wellbeing within the context of vocal tuition. Developing young voices not only develops confidence in the musical context but can assist in developing a strong sense of self and belief in one’s ability, in and out of the school environment.

Performance experiences with companies such as Opera Australia, Victorian Opera, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Chunky Move, Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne Fringe Festival and Melbourne International Comedy Festival have developed her understanding of the journey of a young music student and the aspiring professional. Through teaching she seeks to nurture and encourage personal growth of the amateur musician for participation and enjoyment of music for life.

Frederica graduated with MMus(MusPerf), BMus, B.Mus.Perf and BMusPerf(Hons) and a GradDipEd(MiddleYrs) with a Pro Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Academic Excellence. Scholarships include Artstart from Australian Council for the Arts 2013, Optus 50 Grant 2012, and EC Wellisch Bequest.

Frederica has been working in schools and music organisations since 2010 and is a registered teacher with the Victorian Institute of Teaching as well as QTS certified for teaching in the UK.

Simon Mathewson

As a volunteer teaching assistant I ran a guitar club at Dorchester Middle School in 2011.

I did a rock band club at St Marys Primary School, Bridport in 2019.

In the past I’ve worked as a teaching assistant.

I am currently teaching at Primary schools in Bridport and Axminster as well as teaching privately.

I taught both my children who have gone on to perform at Colfox School in concerts and musicals.

I’ve been playing for 30 years and can play most genres. I’ve played in various bands. I had piano lessons when I was younger so know music theory.

I have been DBS checked.

Jo Lihou

I’m a fully qualified Music teacher and Musician. I hold a BA(hons) Music degree from Cardiff, a Masters in Creative Arts in Education (Distinction) from Exeter University, and a PGCE from the University of Wales Institute Cardiff. I also have over a decade of classroom and private Music tuition experience.

I offer private Violin lessons, Music Theory lessons, and GCSE Music tutoring.

As a classroom teacher I have a track record of excellent results in vocational Music qualifications and GCSE Music. As a private Violin/Music Theory tutor I have a 100% pass rate with ABRSM exams and encourage students to play for their own enjoyment as well as make the best sound.

I began my own musical journey by learning the violin aged 4. I was taught using the Suzuki method and have since studied this extensively producing a degree dissertation on the successes and challenges of the model. I did not learn to read notation until much later. I recognise that notation is an important part of learning to play an instrument or appreciate Music but that a musical ear, enjoyment and competency are also equally, if not more, important.

Violin is my principal instrument and I play in a local Symphony Orchestra and String Quartet. I also play Piano, Guitar, Bass, Viola, Cello, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Sing, and am an excellent Tambourine player!

I can sometimes be found coaching the upper strings at Devon Youth Orchestras as well as helping develop young musicians at open mic nights and local events.

I believe that tailoring content/activities to suit student strengths and target their areas for development is vital. I have experience of teaching students with extensive physical and learning needs and have helped them to achieve their potential. Knowing the student and their goals, strengths, and preferences is important to delivering a high quality learning experience.

Please do contact me with any queries or questions.

John Mathews

Since 2016, I’ve been privileged to share my passion and enthusiasm for music, teaching hundreds of students across a very wide range of age and ability (4 – 70+) and in a number of settings.

Prior to undertaking PGCE studies, freelance peripatetic music tutor, offering guitar, beginner piano and beginner ukulele lessons to primary schools in Devon and Somerset. Each week I guided 70+ students through the excitement of discovering music, building and/or developing upon the rudimentary foundations of musical practice, inspiring and preparing them for a long, fulfilling relationship with music.

My lessons are highly personalised to fit the abilities and temperament of each student (or group of students) and I’m happy to log and communicate their progress as is deemed appropriate. In encouraging musical problem-solving, I draw upon developing knowledge of music, as well as other areas of the curriculum such as mathematics and language.

During my previous engagement as ‘Session Manager’ at five private music schools for The Rock Project in Devon, I was entrusted with guiding, inspiring and safeguarding over 120 students per week, managing a team of five tutors, preparing sessions and leading groups of 20-30 young musicians in musical activities such as guided rehearsals, as well as providing instrumental tuition to smaller groups.

From 2016 – 2019 I enjoyed fulfilling the same functions for The Rock Project in Surrey, leading sessions for adults in addition to those for children. During both tenures, I supported and presented regular public performances, preparing and encouraging the students through coached rehearsals, enthusiastically developing musicianship and stagecraft.

A scarcity of resources delayed the start of my own musical journey proper, but in so doing, created the opportunity to spark a love-story that continues to this day. With little chance of buying my first instrument, I built a bass guitar for a GCSE Technology project and taught myself to play it from a book. Although my ‘homemade’ bass has long since been retired (full disclosure: it was a terrible instrument), the passion it fuelled will remain with me for life.

Seizing upon a single, fleeting opportunity ultimately led me to a BMus and out into the world on an enthralling adventure to far-flung countries, revered stages and studios, sharing countless thrilling musical experiences with many wonderful musicians, connecting with a combined audience of several lifetimes of humans. My bass gave me a creative voice, opportunities to contribute to numerous recordings and original compositions and a vehicle through which to forge lifelong friendships. I am deeply committed to opening the door to ‘the opportunity of a lifetime’ for others.

Tony Jones

Ex military musician with exemplary record. 2 years kneeler hall training and instruction. BA hons mus completed in under 2 years.

I have taught for Cornwall Music Service Trust and brass bands for several brass bands. I have experience of performing at a very high level. I am friendly, approachable and always make my lessons fun, entertaining and innovative.