The Surrey Sound of Music in Carshalton

Michael has been playing the drums since aged 12. Growing up he was taught by Rob Marsden Rigby at his home in Preston, Lancashire.

After deciding music was his career path he moved to London in 2011 to study at Tech Music School where he experienced some of the finest tuition available from tutors Erik Stams, Adam Betts, Sebastiaan De Krom, Femi Temowo, Gareth Brown, Philippe Castermane and Elliot Henshaw to name a few. He graduated with a BMus in Popular music performance specialising in drums.

Since moving to London he has toured the UK with his band Actions, released original recordings through Scylla Records and Cherry Stone Records, played on west end theatre productions and has shared the stage with acts such Kelis, Josh Record, Hozier, Dan Croll, Jake Isaac, Spunge, Mikil Payne and more.

Since leaving Tech Music school Michael has mainly been working as a freelance session drummer whilst working closely with Actions and Kate Miller on their upcoming releases and tours.

Michaels philosophy on teaching is simple: To have fun and inspire interest in new ideas. It’s also important to set goals the student can focus on achieving whether that be a Rockschool graded exam, building up to a performance or simply learning to play along to your favourite songs. In lessons with Michael you will be taught technique, styles and sight reading.

Rachel began her flute career at the age of nine. She graduated Royal Holloway, University of London in 2010 with a BMus (hons) degree, studying the flute under Alison Myles. She went on to study and graduate with a MMus Masters degree, specialising in musicology. As a flautist, Rachel has entered many competitions and festivals and enjoys playing in orchestras.She describes her musical taste as eclectic, enjoys playing contemporary music and has a keen interest in musical theatre. Rachel encourages her students to study for exams, usually working with the ABRSM examination board, believing that they provide fantastic confirmation of ability, progress and development. However, exams are not for everyone and she is more than happy to teach as an enjoyable hobby! Rachel also incorporates theory of music into her lessons, considering it to be a vital component in learning music. Rachel teaches the flute privately to all ages of students in their own homes in a relaxed environment. She aims to convey her passion for music to her students as well as providing inspiration and guidance on the path to becoming a skilled flautist. Lessons should always be fun and Rachel teaches a wide range of genres and repertoire to suit the individual’s needs and musical tastes. Rachel has experience in teaching both children, aged 5 upwards, and adults. Rachel is also happy to offer advice regarding flute purchase, and can recommend several local places that provide flute hire at reasonable prices.

Emma started her music career learning the piano during High School. Whilst studying GCSE music, she went on study the flute with Rachel Hedger, achieving Grade 7. Emma then went on to study singing under Alison O’Gorman, achieving Grade 8.

After finishing High School, Emma wanted to further her performance skills and develop her passion for musical theatre. She enrolled at Kent and Surrey Academy, gaining an ATCL diploma in musical theatre with Trinity Guildhall. This is when Emma decided to pursue a career in singing.

Emma started her teaching career at Starlight Performing Arts, teaching students aged 4-16, covering a range of genres, predominantly musical theatre, but also pop and jazz styles with technique and musicianship.

Emma teaches singing privately to students in their own homes, catering for individual requirements. These lessons include technique, music theory and general musicianship. During private lessons, Emma covers technique for students to have the ability to perform and study an array of musical styles including classical, jazz, musical theatre and pop. Emma encourages students to study for graded exams with experience and success in various grades.

Alongside teaching, Emma has performed in various shows such as Footloose, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens.

Learning the piano from the age of six immediately gave Hannah the enthusiasm to take up the challenge of one of the most versatile and rewarding musical instruments. Hannah continued to learn and develop her musical ability during school years where she began working through both theory and practical exams with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, achieving a distinction in her grade 8 practical exam at the young age of 15. Her love for performing and teaching allows others to experience the enjoyment of music.

Hannah is a young, friendly and highly enthusiastic Piano Teacher, teaching pupils of all ages and experience, from beginners to those working through the grades. Hannah teaches privately and is always flexible around school hours.

Hannah believes that her enthusiasm and passion for music is a key part to her ability to teach others. She take immense pleasure in passing on knowledge and experiences to those keen and interested in learning a new skill. Hannah teaches in a way that keeps pupils interested in learning through different methods where interrelation and change plays a huge part. Hannah believes the enjoyment in learning and instrument is the key to success.

Tom began playing classical guitar aged 7 and electric guitar aged 13. He enjoys playing everything from classical, to jazz, blues and rock. From his variety of experience, Tom is happy to teach classical, acoustic and electric guitar.

After completing his A Levels, Tom studied guitar performance for a year at Nexus Institute of Creative Arts in Coventry. He then went on to study at the University of Liverpool and graduated with BA (hons) in Music in 2014. Tom’s specialism at university was classical and popular music analysis, and, as a result, he values highly teaching his pupils music theory.

Tom has been performing classical guitar since he was 10, and has had a variety of experience performing electric and acoustic guitar in bands, including at university. He also plays regularly in the band at St Saviour’s Church, Guildford, which has an overall congregation of about a thousand. To increase his pupils’ confidence, and to make them more rounded musicians, he encourages them to perform.

Tom has 8 years of experience teaching in sport, and has taught children from as young as 4, as well as adults. Tom’s background in teaching children has taught him to make his lessons fun and engaging.

Graded exams develop a full range of skills, and record the pupils progress. Tom will prepare his pupils to take Trinity, or Rock School exams if this is what they want; but he is happy to teach guitar whatever the pupil’s aspiration.