| Rosie Davies (BMus, DipABRSM, LRSM) was raised in a very musical environment, her father was a professional violinist and her mum was a violin teacher and owned a music shop. Music was part of everything. Rosie went on to join the Royal Marines Band Service and studied with Portsmouth University earning a degree in Music. She did a lot of travelling and performing with the Marines until the birth of her first child and has since shared her passion for music with others. Rosie is a keen singer, as well as being trained in piano, strings and woodwind. She is keen to inspire young people to enjoy making music and have fun performing. |
Verity Stroud
| I have been teaching music in a senior school in Cheadle, Manchester for the past 2 years having trained for my PGCE in Manchester after graduating from UoM with an upper second. I will have completed my ECT qualification by the end of this academic year. I trained with Stockport Music Service whilst on my placements and so gained the skills and knowledge for teaching instrumentally as well as classroom. I want to continue teaching but as a peripatetic so that I can pursue performing too, whilst moving back home to Devon. I achieved grade 8 distinction in piano bassoon and singing. I also play guitar and bass guitar. At university, bassoon was my first study. During my training I taught beginner flute, clarinet and recorder so would also be able to offer this. |
Emily Howard
Emily Howard has worked as a full time musician since leaving university, where she studied BA Hons in Music Performance at Falmouth. She currently plays in Exeter folk band The Dillyboys, alongside solo shows. Emily also works as a session guitarist and vocalist; a highlight for her so far being a tour with the Phil Beer Band. Emily hosts open mic jam sessions in Exeter, and last year got the opportunity to work for Rebel Girls at Boomtown Festival. Emily has recently released her third album through her own record label Random Fish Records, and has been featured on BBC Introducing. When Emily is not gigging she works as a music educator, teaching guitar and vocals from her home studio, and running music workshops at youth clubs, events and festivals with the Mobile Music Hub.
Employment History
2021-present- music tutor at the Mobile Music Hub. Working with all ages and abilities teaching vocals, guitar and delivering workshops.
2021-2022- music leader at the Station Newton Abbot. Working with young people with additional needs. Using music technology to inspire and create new music for Christmas.
2020- 2021- Musical Director. Working with young people at Doorstep Arts in Paignton. Devising original music for the Protest and Rebellion project.
2019- 2021 – Samba band leader. Coordinating the drumming group in Exeter, leading the band on the marches for the youth led ‘Fridays for Future’ climate strikes.
2019- 2021 – Soundwaves Support Worker. Facilitating Saturday morning music making sessions for adults with learning difficulties, currently devising a musical about a giant flea in Paris.
2019- present- Freelance Music Leader. Planning and delivering music workshops tailor-made for community groups such as Doorstep Arts, DAISI and Play Torbay.
2018-2019 – Music Leader mentee (Daisi soundwaves project.) Delivery of music sessions at the Hive youth centre in Exmouth.
2017-2021 – Guitar Accompanist Big Noise Chorus. The Big Noise Chorus is a network of community choirs run by vocal practitioner and choir leader Colin Rea.
2014- 2018 – Wren Music Leader. Wren Music is a company of skilled, experienced and highly qualified professional musicians of international repute. Wren has a strong focus on the folk music tradition from England, and around the world. Emily ran folk choirs and folk orchestras around Devon for all ages and abilities.
2014- present- Guitar, ukulele and vocal tuition. Employed firstly by the franchise Instrumental Music Services (IMS) , Emily now teaches freelance from a studio in Exeter.
2005-present- Professional Musician. Emily runs a self releasing record label named Random Fish Records, releasing albums of original songs, collaborating with talented musicians from the South West, gigging regularly at pubs, clubs and festivals.
2007-present- Open Mic Night Host. Emily promotes and hosts open mics in the city of Exeter and has developed a sense of community amongst the local performers, creating a welcoming space each week for people to come and showcase music, poetry and comedy.
2014-2015 – Monkey Music. Specialising in preschool music classes from newborn babies up to 5 years old.
2013- 2015 – Theatrebugs. Emily ran after school clubs for 5-8 year olds, featuring story time, singing, dancing, games, and acting.
2012 – Musical Director. Emily worked with performers and musicians in the Penryn Players production of Beauty and the Beast.
Education and Qualifications
2017-2018 – Wren Music/Trinity/Musicians Union -Certificate in Music Education
2009-2012 – University College Falmouth (incorporating Dartington College of Arts.) -BA Hons – Music Performance 2:1
2007-2009 – South Devon College, Devon. – B-Tech in Music Performance – Triple Distinction
2001-2008 – Churston Ferrers Grammar School, Devon. AS Levels – (A) Drama. (C) Psychology, Religious Studies. GCSEs – (A*) Music, (AA) Science Double Award, (A) Geography, French, Drama, Religious Studies, (B) English, English Literature, Mathematics.
Other Qualifications
2010 – Grade 8 singing (Merit).
2009 – Grade 7 singing
2008 – Grade 6 singing (Merit) Trinity Guildhall
2021 – Grade 1 drumming (Distinction)
2021 – Grade 1 guitar (Distinction) RSL
2022 – Grade 2 guitar (Distinction) RSL
2023 – Grade 3 guitar (Merit) RSL
2009 – Grade 5 Theory of Music. Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
Understanding Autism Course
Recovery Devon Mental Health First Aid
Musician’s Union Safeguarding Course
Participation and volunteering training Space Youth Services
2021 – Arts Award Advisor Training (Discover & Explore awards)
References available upon request.
Harriet Oakley
Harriet Oakley is a professional singer, conductor and singing teacher. Since moving to Devon in 2019, she spends the majority of her time teaching as a peripatetic across Devon, including tuition of the Buckfast Abbey Choristers. In November 2022, she conducted the South Devon Singers at Exeter Cathedral for their Royal British Legion remembrance concert.
Prior to moving to Devon, Harriet was the musical director for Holy Redeemer’s professional choir in Clerkenwell, London and sang with the award-winning ensemble, Epiphoni.
Harriet studied music at Bristol University majoring in vocal studies, where she also ran the University Chamber Choir and played the lead role in Rossini’s opera, ‘Cenerentola’.
IMS Music
Founded in 1991, IMS is a principal provider of music lessons in schools, colleges and universities across Devon and Cornwall. We supply tutors on a range of instruments at an affordable price. Please contact us for further information or to arrange lessons.
Emma Nottage
I have been a qualified primary school teacher in Devon for over twenty years and alongside this a private music tutor. I now offer one-to-one online/offline music lessons in a variety of instruments and voice to all ages. Both in schools and privately.
In the past I was the brass specialist working on a hub a BBC Ten Pieces project for gifted and talented primary school pupils in the Barnstaple area. I have also taken school choirs to take part in the Barnstaple area schools’ concerts at the Queens Theatre. I am a member of Teachers Rock choir and Academy choir.
Christopher Blurton
| I’ve been a musician for as long as I can remember and was lucky to grow up surrounded by music.
I guess the scariest musical thing I’ve done is play the piano for Bryan Adams on the Zoe Ball Breakfast show live on BBC Radio 2. I was invited to play the Elton John piano which was really special. I love teaching music to individuals and small groups, I feel very lucky to share my passion for music with others. |
Jane Anderson-Brown
I am a qualified classroom music teacher with a master’s degree in music performance (singing). I have been teaching for over 20 years in Surrey, Hampshire and Devon at both primary and secondary level. I have over 10 years experience of teaching WCET flutes, clarinets, jsaxes, recorders and fifes.
Over the last 14 years I have worked as a peripatetic music teacher in several schools in Torbay and South Devon and also worked as a tutor/conductor for the Torbay and South Devon Music centre for several years.
I have a private teaching practice at home, and have run a number of adult choirs, musical theatre groups and am the director of Red Earth Opera. I also run singing masterclasses and workshops.
Louise Mott
Louise began teaching singing privately and at Okehampton College in 2005, and currently at Bideford College, West Buckland School, Kingsley School, Queen Elizabeth’s School Crediton, Braunton Academy, Pilton Bluecoat Academy, Pilton College and Shebbear College. She brings nearly thirty years of experience as a freelance opera and classical singer to the work she does with her students. She has also been a choir leader at Chulmleigh College’s CMAC and Okehampton Music Centre.
Former students have gone on to study music, singing, acting and musical theatre at institutions including Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Birmingham Conservatoire, Durham University, University of Wolverhampton, Exeter College Centre for Creative Industries, Bath Spa University, University of Chichester, BIMM Bristol, Cardiff University, Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and East 15 Theatre School.
I aim to make learning to sing as fun and enjoyable as possible and whether students are interested in working towards exams or just singing for pleasure, I really want them to reach their full potential and discover what their voice can do. I teach a variety of styles, including classical, opera, music theatre, rock and pop, so there is something for everyone!
Nicholas Bryant
I have been a professional pianist and violist with the Collaborative Orchestra, best known for reaching the semifinals of Britain’s Got Talent in 2016 and I come from a teaching position at St David’s primary in West Wickham, London. Before becoming a music teacher, I was a professional actor with singing and acting credits for professional touring productions. I teach piano, violin, viola and cello, beginner classical guitar and classical and musical theatre singing as well as choirs, and youth music groups such as bamd, orchestra and ukelele. I live in Chagford, West Devon and teach in local schools with some availability after school in the evenings.
Membership – Musicians Union
Legal documents available upon request –
* Enhanced DBS Disclosure with Children’s Barred List (CBL) Check registered with the update service
* Child protection/safeguarding training certificate (completed within the last three years)
* Public Liability Insurance