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
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.
Sarah Jones
An experienced and keen musician with a passion for the arts who works well under pressure and is a committed team player. Possesses strong leadership, management and communication skills being adept at prioritising demands and meeting deadlines. Inventive and adaptable to change, ensuring learners of all ages are motivated to reach their full potential, whilst gaining an understanding of musical disciplines through enjoyable, active participation. 100% exam pass rate for 37 years. Accomplished male voice musical director of 22 years.
CAREER HISTORY
1987 – 1997 Gwent Music Service: Peripatetic Brass/KS3 & 4 Music Teacher
1997 – 2001 Private Music Teacher
2001 – 2014 Gwent Music Service: Peripatetic Brass/Steel Pan/Piano/Theory Teacher
2002 – 2010 Rougemont School Newport: Infant School Music Co-ordinator
2011 – 2015 Bridgend Music Service: Peripatetic Brass/Samba Teacher
2015 – 2016 Somerset Music: WCET Teacher
2016 – 2022 Merthyr Tydfil Music Service: Head of Music Service & Brass/Curriculum Music Teacher
2020 – 2023 Christ College Brecon: VMT French Horn
2020 – 2024 Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama: Junior Conservatoire Assistant/Cover Tutor
2021 – 2024 Musical Director: Pontnewydd Male Choir
2022 – 2023 Bridgend Music Service: Peripatetic Brass Teacher
2022 – present Gwent Music Service: Brass/WCET/Curriculum Music Teacher
2023 – present Musical Director: City of Newport Male Choir
2023 – present Torfaen Music: WCET Teacher
2023 – present Charanga Associate Trainer
2023 – present Educa on Supply Pool: Music Teacher
2024 – present Somerset Music: WCET Teacher
EDUCATION
Bath College of H.E. Sept 1983 – July 1986 B.A. (Hons) Music (II/i) (Bath University)
Cardiff University Sept 1986 – July 1987 P.G.C.E. Secondary Music
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
NASUWT 1987 ISM 1989 (FISM)
Musicians’ Union 2024
EWC 2015
SKILLS & TRAINING
French Horn
Piano
Conductor/Musical Director
Trinity Arts Award Adviser
Safeguarding Level 3
Licensed Chaperone
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
Live music and theatre
Gardening, sewing, languages
Justin Fellows
DRUM TEACHER AND DRUM WORKSHOP FACILITATOR
Over 20 years professional experience as a teacher and facilitator in a wide range of settings including: primary and secondary education, community groups, corporate teambuilding, SEND schools, arts in health, private events and festivals.
In one to one lessons my aim is to engender a sense of fun around learning and playing the drums. I am always keen to teach technique and reading but only if appropriate to the student and only to the level of their comprehension.
I always encourage students to think about what music they want to learn and then work with them on their own choices, as well as having a vast repertoire of popular songs to draw on. When leading drumming workshops I encourage students to have fun whilst introducing basic concepts around technique and rhythm.
I also encourage students to create their own rhythms and use vocalisation and games to help create a relaxed learning environment in order to achieve the highest potential of the group.
All my teaching is informed by a long career performing with a multitude of bands as well as studying with various master drummers, including a professional development course at ACM, Guildford. I have also engaged in self-motivated learning from a variety of resources and have a passionate interest in a wide range of musical styles.
C.V.
Upon graduating with distinction from the Academy of Contemporary Music in 2001, I began my career as a peripatetic drum-kit tutor at 3 schools in the Medway area.
After moving to London in 2003, I began working as a workshop facilitator delivering African drumming sessions in Primary and Secondary schools around the country. Up until 2010 this was my main professional occupation and I worked freelance and for a number of providers including: Education Group, Wise Moves Dance, Kaya Drums and Drum Jam.
Upon moving to Bristol I worked with BANEs music service as a workshop facilitator and drum-kit tutor from March 2011 until July 2021. During this period, I also taught as a freelancer at Norton Hill School. Between January 2018 and July 2022 I taught one to one and delivered workshops for Rhythm Instinct at schools in Wiltshire.
Since moving to Devon in 2021, I have continued to facilitate drumming workshops at On The Hill CIC as well as teaching drum-kit to a few students locally plus a series of evening classes in Totnes. Since February 2024 I have been delivering one to one drum kit lessons for Devon Drum School at primary schools in Okehampton and Teignmouth.
Joe Lannon
I have been playing guitar for many years and have been a professional guitar teacher and tutor since 2006.
I am a qualified secondary school teacher with a PGCE and also am a Licentiate of the London College of Music – LLCM(TD). I have worked as a peripatetic in Northumberland and Torbay and also as an examiner for guitar for LCM/RGT grades and guitar diplomas.
I can teach all levels from beginners to advanced including RGT/LCM grades up to diploma. I teach acoustic, electric and bass guitar and also Ukulele. I can help you to obtain the desired level of playing to obtain a place in a music college/university. My specialism is improvisation and understanding how theory aids better playing.
I am a member of Sound Sense, the UK professional Association for Community Music and a member of the Registry of Guitar Tutors.