Hillsound Tuition

Kitty studied the piano and violin to post grade 8 and graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Music with Honours at City University, London and Advanced Performance at Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Kitty brings a wealth of experience in piano teaching, performance and music publishing, having taught piano since 2003, she enjoys sharing her love, passion and creativity for music to the local community. She currently teaches at local schools, music studios and privately, her lessons are always tailored to her students and their specific goals, this can be working towards graded examinations, public performances, exploring different genres of music for enjoyment and many more. Kitty has experience working with different examination boards including ABRSM, Trinity and RSL and teaching students with SEN.

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Nicky grew up in a musical family and during her childhood learnt to play piano, guitar, banjo, clarinet, and flute and studied music theory at the Leatherhead School of Music. She has been a local church musician for decades, has run a children’s choir and been a Gospel Choir Director. In this role, she was invited by one of the judges to take part in the BBC Gospel Choir of the Year competition. Nicky has taught piano and music theory at Hillsound for many years and weaves music theory knowledge into all her lessons. This is especially helpful for pupils who are taking Music GCSE. Piano lessons can be used as the ‘skill’ section of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, and many of Nicky’s secondary school pupils choose to do this, so she is an experienced assessor. A good number of her pupils at Hillsound have come for lessons for many years and therefore can play at a high level. One is now studying at the Guildhall School of Music. She has also taught choristers from Hampton Court Palace both piano and music theory. All ABRSM piano and theory exams carry credits for Uni and Nicky has taught some her students from junior school right through to starting at Uni. Nicky has entered pupils in the Richmond Music and Drama Festival, who played in the competition against their peers across the borough. Nicky is passionate about music education, and has written a music curriculum for use in schools in Uganda where music is not taught as a subject.

Kieran has played guitar since 1993 and has RGT grade 8 and UWLQ Level 4 in music teaching. He has played in bands from 1998 to the presenters, which ranges from original music to covers and has performed live on a regular basis. Kieran is currently the lead guitarist for the heavy metal band The Grudge and has played festivals abroad and regularly gigs in the London area. Primarily self taught and is experienced in playing multiple genres. Kieran has taught privately since 2012 and helped students in basic skills and assisted with preparation for grade examinations. Focusing on beginner/intermediate students. Kieran’s practical knowledge in performance and live situations. He is very patient and will find the best way to express ideas and learning. He has found learning the guitar a source of confidence and enjoyment. Which helps his students achieve their goals in music. Teaching approach is help students in the future develop their own musical voice and expression. Kieran wants to develop a strong foundation in knowledge and technique in all students he teaches. While making learning enjoyable.

Ken has 50 continuous years of teaching experience, ranging from St Georges, Windsor Castle, to the local comprehensive. Currently at Radnor House, Twickenham and Broomwood School, Wandsworth. He learned to play clarinet and march in time in the RAF band in Cyprus in 1959. He played Jazz in Soho nightclubs till the early hours, while learning to play posh at the Guildhall School of Music in Daylight. He joined the London Palladium Orchestra on sax, clarinet and flute. He toured with pop artists, R&B bands, Tamala Mowtown groups, light orchestras (Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Geoff Love BBC Orchestra etc) Appointed member of the BBC Scottish Radio Orchestra. He Subsequently played in seventeen West End Musicals conducting four of them, the last of which was Starlight Express as Associate Conductor. Currently free lance with regular appearances with the Royal Opera House Swing Orchestra and local amateur musical productions.

Charlotte has been a teacher of guitar and ukulele for over 15 years. She completed a Higher Diploma in Popular Music Performance in 2008, and a Bachelor’s of Music degree at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance in London in 2012. Since then, she has taught guitar and ukulele as a private instrumental teacher, and recently graduated with a PGCE in Secondary School Music from Roehampton University. She currently teaches full-time as a music teacher in a local secondary school, and still continues to teach privately as an instrumental tutor. Her performance career is rich in a variety of genres and experiences. She has performed extensively in rock and pop groups in venues inside and outside of London, these include: The Water Rats, The 12-Bar, The Chrome Bar. And festivals including Bulldog Bash in Stratford-upon-Avon. She has also

Marky started Teaching Himself Piano at age 14. He grew up in Poole Dorset where he attained Grade 8 singing and Grade 6 Theory with ABRSM. After moving to London he trained as a vocalist under Nikki Lamborn who also coaches Beverley Knight and Newton Faulkner. He now has ten years professional experience as a gigging musician playing 3-5 nights a week around the country and abroad.

“Claire has been teaching clarinet and piano for 20 years and is qualified to diploma level. She has taught across 6 London schools and has experience teaching all ages and levels. In her spare time, she enjoys arranging music for Sheet Music Plus and composing jazz duets for her website Clarisheets.com. Claire loves her work and employs an empathetic and encouraging approach to learning.”

Simon has many years of experience as both a drum teacher and as a touring musician. Taking students from age 8 and above covering a broad range of styles and techniques. He covers all grades from 1-8 in bothTrinity and Rockschool. In 1986 his band won the Hammersmith & Fulham Rock Test. Playing in several bands between 1987-95 eventually signing to Hit & Run publishing which lead to tours across the UK. In 1995 he joined the band ‘My Life Story’ and signed to the Parlophone and IT record companies and Sony Music Publishing. With them he went on to produce top 40 albums 'The Golden Mile' and 'Joined Up Talking' plus six top 40 singles. He also appeared with them on a plethora of TV shows including - The White Room, The Big Breakfast, Live & Kicking, CD:UK, TFI Friday, Bob Mill's Show also Radio sessions and UK & European tours. They also opened at Glastonbury and supported 'Wet, Wet, Wet' at all UK arenas. Simon studied drum technique for seven years with the great late Bob Armstrong. He worked in Feltham Young Offenders institute for 10 years, where he began his drum kit teaching and achieved qualified teaching status. He has also taught for many years in different primary and secondary schools and has facilitated many drum circle groups.

Jess has over 20 years experience teaching vocals & acoustic guitar and has trained with a number of music institutions over the years . Being mainly self taught though has given her a unique approach to teaching which works well with students, children & adults who are less interested in passing music grades but want to understand vocal techniques or learn the guitar in order to gain confidence, have fun in both models & learn popular songs across most genres & styles. Jess has helped many students that struggle with various learning difficulties, are neuro diverse or have anxiety issues. She recently completed a course in "Understanding Children & Young Peoples Mental Health". As a musician Jess was involved with a London based original rock band "QTone" for over 10 years, playing in many venues regularly across the UK & in Europe including some festivals. She also has extensive experience playing in various cover bands & acoustic duos in local pub venues & for private events. Over lockdown Jess & her Husband, along with many other local musicians were involved in "Rockin the Lockin" doing online gigs in order to raise money for local charities. & most recently recording some of her own material with a view to releasing as a new project & returning to live gigging her original material later this year.