Sam Massey

Sam Massey is a keen educator, and has been a peripatetic brass, WCET and music teacher and workshop leader for over ten years. During this time he has taught brass and music regularly at a number of schools and music education centres throughout the South West, including:

Exeter School
Mount Kelly
University of Plymouth (Trumpet & Jazz Trumpet)
Ivybridge Community College
SaMMS Saturday Morning Music (specialist music school in Totnes)
South Dartmoor Community College
King Edward VI Community College (KEVICC) in Totnes
Torquay Boys & Girls Grammar Schools
The Beacon Federation (Federation Music Specialist)

He believes in teaching in a fun and encouraging environment whilst maintaining a structured approach.

He is experienced in preparing students for ABRSM, Trinity College/Trinity Guildhall Graded examinations (Classical & Jazz disciplines) and in individual GCSE and A-Level music tuition, as well as auditions for further musical study.

A number of former students have gone on to study at specialist music institutions such as Wells Cathedral School, Royal College of Music and Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Specialising in trumpet, flugelhorn and jazz/improvisation, he offers individual tuition in the following instruments and topics:

Trumpet, Cornet and Flugelhorn
All lower brass valved instruments (e.g. Tenor Horn, Euphonium)
Trombone
Jazz and Improvisation
Music Theory/Aural
GCSE and A-Level Music Tutoring

Sam is enhanced DBS-checked, has full Public Liability Insurance through the Musicians Union and regularly attends Level 2 Safeguarding Courses (at least annually).

Testimonial

Sam has been teaching our son, age 10, to play the trombone for the past year – and this was no ordinary year! After two terms of lessons in school, Sam switches seamlessly to online lessons during Coronavirus lockdown which provided consistency and a source of optimism in uncertain times.

This reflects Sam’s professionalism and fantastic communication skills with students and parents. Sam has a calm, positive manner and his passion for music and encouraging future musicians shines through. Our son has immensely grown in confidence and within the year is now working towards Grade 3. I would highly recommend his lessons – in person or online.

SB, Parent

Ensemble Direction

Sam has been directing Brass, Wind, Jazz and Concert Band ensembles at SaMMS Saturday Music School for sixteen years, and now directs ensembles at a number of primary and secondary schools throughout the South West.

He has built the groups up to a high standard of performance, some of which can be heard on the Media page of his website.

He has also been involved as a tutor in regular and weekend Jazz Workshops for adults and students for many years.

Sam is always keen to get the best out of the ensembles, and will help the less experienced students by tailoring the ensemble parts to suit their abilities and composing and arranging pieces especially for the band.

Andrew Collis

Andrew is a virtuoso recorder player and has been a finalist in major competitions and performed at prestigious venues across the UK including St John’s Smith Square and the Barbican. Festival appearances include the Brighton, Birmingham and Cheltenham International Festivals.

He studied with Paul Clark in Birmingham and Philip Thorby at Trinity College of Music before further studies with Eve O’Kelly. His critically acclaimed CDs “Exposure” and “Fusion” combine a wide range of musical styles and premiere recordings. Andrew has commissioned new works from British composers for his Early music group The Stanesby Players and has appeared as part of contemporary music series.

Performances abroad include Malaysia and Australia. As an examiner for Trinity and an adjudicator he has worked in the UK and worldwide. He is in demand as a tutor on a variety of courses and has taught in primary, secondary and adult education. He conducts the Exeter Recorder Orchestra and coaches ensembles around the UK. Online recitals and workshops are now part of his portfolio. He was been active in promoting and supporting younger recorder players through his charity work and competition organisation.