Instrumental and vocal tutors

Personal Statement

 

Bassoon:

Claire Gainford: Claire studied the bassoon at Manchester University and the Royal Northern College of Music under the tutorage of David Chatwin, Alan Pendlebury and William Waterhouse. After graduating in 1996, she went on to freelance regularly with orchestras in the north west, to include the Halle, BBC Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Manchester Camerata. She was a member of the Goldberg Ensemble and has been 2nd bassoon with Sinfonia Viva for 5 years.Claire now lives in Bath where she continues to play with orchestras in Manchester, Cardiff and Belfast. She has been the Bassoon Tutor at Bath Spa University and Bath University for the last 3 years, as well as teaching at a number of private schools in the area.

Cello:

Keith Tempest: info to follow

Clarinet:

Claire Holyoake: info to follow

Mark Simmons: info to follow

Drumkit:

Rob Brian: info to follow

Flute:

Richard Dobson: Richard studied flute at the Royal College of Music with Edward Walker, and composition with Justin Connolly and Edwin Roxburgh, while also gaining a music degree via London University. In addition to a couple of composition prizes he won the Eve Kisch flute prize at the end of his third year. After graduation he studied flute privately for a year with William Bennett. He has worked primarily in the chamber music world, firstly with the Thames Chamber Orchestra (both as principal flute and as concerto soloist) and later on also as a member of the English Baroque Ensemble. In parallel with his work as a player, he developed a strong interest in the design and repair of flutes, establishing a workshop at Clerkenwell Close (London), with many leading players among his customers for new flute headjoints as well as for tuning and repairs. After moving to Bath in 1979 he played regularly with the Bristol Sinfonia, while also continuing his work as a flute maker. He also cultivated an interest in improvisation, world music, and the broader aspects of music education, leading to the creation in 1982 of the Ashley Music Course. This ran for four years, introducing classically trained youngsters to various forms of jazz, improvisation, electronic music and world music. Colleagues included the saxophonist Andy Sheppard and Gordon Jones with the Dartington Gamelan. He maintains a special interest in classical Indian music (raga), and performs on bansuri (Indian bamboo flute) with the Frome-based performance group Essonence, which combines classical western repertoire with music from many other traditions. Other interests more-or-less related to music, teaching and performance include complementary therapies and Sufism. He holds a certificate in Counselling Skills from the Central School of Counselling and Therapy (CSCT). An interest in electronics dating from his schooldays led eventually to his discovery of the world of computer music. In 1987 he joined the Composers Desktop Project (CDP) initially as a user, but later as a Core Developer, working closely with the composers Trevor Wishart and Archer Endrich on writing documentation and on developing new software tools for composers. This interest led to the publication in 1992 of his reference book ‘A Dictionary of Electronic and Computer Music Technology’ by Oxford University Press. In addition to his work with CDP, Richard is a visiting Research Fellow in the School of Computer Science at Bath University. He has published several research papers on aspects of digital audio and computer music, and has contributed to a number of significant open-source tools, particularly Csound. His research interests in this field include surround sound, real-time analysis and transformation techniques, and high-performance computing for audio.

Nikki King: Nikki studied at the Birmingham Conservatoire where she won the BRMB Radio Scholarship and attained three ABRSM diploma distinctions (in teaching, performing and recital). She then moved to the Royal Northern College of Music where she studied flute with Trevor Wye and Kate Hill, piccolo and alto flute with Pat Morris and baroque flute with Lisa Besnosiuk, graduating with GRNCM. She has subsequently freelanced with numerous orchestras, including English Symphony, English Concertante, Emerald Ensemble and Regency Sinfonia, making a number of concerto appearances. She was a member of the Chalumeau Wind Quintet for a number of years and regularly performs with duo partner John Lambert in Equilibrium.

Guitar (classical):

Benjamin Spender: Ben spent part of his childhood in Gibraltar where he studied guitar under William Gomez, a student of Narcisco Yepes. On returning to England he took a humanities degree and joined the London College of Music as an Associate. He has given recitals in England, France and Spain. He now teaches and performs widely.

Guitar (jazz and rock):

Stuart Ryan: Described as "one of the finest of the young generation" by Martin Taylor MBE, Stuart Ryan is known to guitarists the world over thanks to his monthly columns in Guitar Techniques magazine and concerts throughout the UK and beyond. Stuart has appeared alongside some of the world's leading guitarists including Martin Taylor MBE and the late Eric Roche. He has performed solo at many of the UK's most prestigious concert venues including The Purcell Room (London SouthBank) and The Sage in Gateshead and has been a featured artist at every major UK guitar festival. In addition to concert work Stuart has played and given interviews on several BBC radio programmes.Stuart is equally adept on both acoustic and electric guitar and his music takes in a wide range of influences including blues, folk jazz and world. In 2004 he released his debut CD 'The Coast Road' to critical acclaim with Acoustic Magazine pronouncing it "A beautiful collection of fingerstyle pieces." Copies of the album can be purchased at www.guitarcds.net. In addition to performing, Stuart is a passionate guitar educator. When not on the road he is the guitar tutor at Bath Spa University and several of his solo guitar works are featured in the London College Of Music higher grade exams. Further info and sound samples can be found at www.stuartryan.co.uk or www.myspace.com/stuartryanmusic".

Percussion:

John O’Hara: John is a composer, musical director, pianist and percussionist. He studied percussion at the Royal Northern College of Music where he was taught by Ian Wright, Graham Johns and Dave Hassel amongst others. His freelance work includes performances with The Halle, The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Rambert Dance Company. John was a founder member of Kalengo percussion ensemble. He was the resident composer/musical director at the Bristol Old Vic for over a decade. Other theatre work has included The National Theatre, Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, Leicester Haymarket and The Royal Exchange. Television commissions include A Miracle on the River Kwai, History in Action, Nicks Quest, and Time and Tide. John has composed three children's operas for Welsh National Opera’s Max department and is currently playing piano and accordion for Jethro Tull as well as scoring and conducting Ian Anderson’s solo concerts.

Piano:

Adam Biggs: info to follow

Maria García: Maria was born in Yecla in Spain and studied at the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Murcia. She graduated in 1996 with a piano degree earning the highest honors and a first prize distinction. From 1987 to ´97 she studied in Madrid (Spain) under the distinguished teacher and concert pianist Manuel Carra. She then furthered her studies in Anvers, Belgium, with Frèderic Gevers. She has also attended additional master classes in Murcia, Salzburg, Amsterdam, London and Dallas with Levente Kende, Frank Wibaut, Domenique Merlet, Tamas Vesmas and Jan Wijn amongst others. In 1999 she won a scholarship to study at Trinity College of Music, London, under Hilary Coates where she was also awarded the Mehroo and Byram Jeejeebhoy prize for exceptional competition success. She has won first prizes in national and international piano competitions including the Arras international, France, John Longmire, Ferrol international, TCM Chopin, Carlet and Marisa Montiel and D´Eivissa competitions, together with the prestigious Infanta Cristina Piano Competition, Madrid. She was a semi-finalist in the Cervantes and Panama International Piano Competition 2005-6, held in Cuba and Panama. Maria Angel has performed to critical acclaim in numerous concerts and solo recitals in Spain, Portugal, England, Germany, Austria and United States. As a soloist she has played with Murcia Symphony Orchestra, Murcia Youth Orchestra, Trinity College of Music Orchestra and Bath Philharmonia. She has recorded for major television networks in Spain such as RTV, Radio Clasica and Canal 5. She has been selected to represent Spain in the Steinway Piano Festival in Hamburg, together with the International Marathon for Piano and chamber Music held in the Auditoriums of Madrid and Lope de Vega in Seville.

Connie Garforth: info to follow

Oboe:

Andrew King: Andrew studied oboe with Richard Weigall and cor anglais with Nigel Roberts at the Birmingham Conservatoire, graduating with distinction. After a period of freelancing in the Birmingham area with, amongst others, City of Birmingham Touring Opera, English Symphony Orchestra, Midwales Opera and touring the length and breadth of the country in musicals, Andrew settled in Bristol and established a teaching practice. He is now the specialist oboe teacher for Bath and North East Somerset Music Service as well as teaching at Badminton School, Clifton College and Redland High School. Andrew combines his teaching with extensive freelance playing in the South, South West and Wales and has recorded for TV programmes including Inspector Rebus, Rolf Harris Animal People, Natural World amongst others. He has performed as a soloist with the English Baroque Orchestra, Emerald Ensemble and Birmingham Sinfonietta.

Recorder:

Rebecca Prosser: info to follow

Saxophone:

Ben Waghorn: info to follow

Trombone:

Ralf Dorrell: info to follow

Trumpet:

Simon Ferguson: Simon studied at the Royal College of Music after which he spent a year in Lisbon as Principal Trumpet with the Gulbenkian Orchestra. On returning to England he joined the English National Opera Orchestra, during which time he recorded Wagner’s Ring Cycle under Reginald Goodall. Three years later he left to freelance in London, which he has done ever since. He has performed with all the London orchestras and at both the opera houses. He was a member of the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble for two years, with whom he toured Japan, the USA and Europe. Since 1980 Simon has been a regular player with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields Orchestra, with whom he has toured worldwide and made many recordings. For ten years he played second trumpet in the London Sinfonietta. Current projects include tours to Spain, Turkey and Germany. Apart from his work at Bath Spa University, he is Professor of Trumpet and Cornet at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall.

Gethin Liddington: Gethin (LWCMD , AWCMD) studied classical trumpet with Terence Lax at Welsh College of Music and Drama from 1989 to 1993. Since graduating he has worked mainly in jazz and commercial music. He has performed widely, collaborations including Keith Tippetts' Tapestry, the Paul Dunmall octet and big band, the Pasadena Roof Orchestra, the Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Back to Basie, Blue Harlem, Welsh National Opera, Jeff Hooper, Catrin Finch, Katherine Jenkins and Welsh Jazz Composers Orchestra. He has also performed for TV and radio, has recorded and has given performances at many major festivals throughout Europe.

Violin:

Edward Burns: Edward took a degree in physics and electronic engineering at Manchester University and taught physics at a comprehensive school in London but musical life proved too strong so, after a short time studying violin with Mark Knight, he transferred his studies to Yfrah Neaman, professor of violin at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He came to Wells in 1974 as the Practice Supervisor, allowing him to carry on his violin studies with Yfrah. From here he began teaching at Wells Cathedral School and developed his freelance orchestral work. Over the years he has worked with the London Festival Ballet Company (now the English National Ballet), the Bejart Ballet, the National Ballet of Canada, and the New Symphony Orchestra. In 1985 following a request from Wells Cathedral Organist, Dr.Crossland, he helped found the Wells Sinfonia which accompanied the Wells Oratorio Society and the Wells Cathedral Choir. Chamber music has played an important part too, and Edward has been involved with several string quartets in the West of England and Wales. This has resulted in performing with the Ceres Quartet in the BBC costume drama, “Respectable Trade” and appearances with Neil Innes of “Bonzo Dog Band” fame. His teaching at Wells continued alongside the post of Head of Strings at Westonbirt School followed by teaching at Clifton College. Now, in addition to Wells, he is a visiting lecturer at Bath Spa University College. For the past 15 years he has been a tutor for the National Children's Orchestra and is Senior String Tutor to the Somerset County Youth Orchestra accompanying them on their summer tours to Europe. Edward has been an adjudicator for the “Chamber Music in Schools” competition for the past ten years, and adjudicates the chamber music class for the Pembrokeshire Schools Music Festivals and the annual East Glamorgan Festival.

Liv-Marie Fletcher: Liv-Marie completed her post-graduate violin studies at the Royal Academy of Music with distinction in 2008, and was awarded the Miriam Jenkins Scholarship, the Moir Carnegie Prize, the Homi Kanga Memorial Prize and the Delius Society Prize. She has been a prize winner at major competitions, and is greatly in demand as a solo recitalist and concerto performer in London and throughout the U.K.  Her concerto performances include the works of Bach, Vivaldi, Bruch, Mendelssohn and Sibelius. As a soloist and chamber musician Liv-Marie has performed at major international music festivals, notably the Pablo Casals and Soesterberg International Festivals.  She has participated in master classes given by Ida Haendel, Pavel Vernikov, Hagai Shaham and Thomas Brandis andAndrás Keller.  She has attended the International Musicians Seminar at Prussia Cove, where she performed as a soloist, and is a former member of the elite Royal Academy Soloists.  Liv was a solo artist for the Concordia Foundation, has performed as part of the International Young Artists Series at St George’s Bristol and has given centenary concerts for the Elgar Society.  Liv-Marie is also the founder and director of Albani Strings. Aside from a busy freelance career with orchestras such as The Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, The London Soloists, The Guildford Philharmonic and the City Side Sinfonia, she is also an active performer on period instruments.  Liv-Marie has performed and recorded extensively on the baroque violin with some of the U.K.’s leading ensembles including La Serenissima, The Avison Ensemble, The Senesino Players, The Army of Generals and Liv is a co-founder of the Bristol Baroque Soloists.  She has performed at prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Wigmore Hall, Cadogan Hall, St Johns Smith Square, Queen Elizabeth Hall and St George’s, Bristol. 

 

Nina Trott: info to follow

Voice:

Rosa Mannion: Rosa is a soprano who performs major roles in opera houses around the world, including Covent Garden, English National Opera and Glyndebourne, and records regularly with such conductors as Sir John Eliot Gardiner. She has recorded for numerous labels, including Warner Classics and Chandos.

Henry Moss: Henry studied at the Royal Academy of Music from 1993 to 1997 with teachers Kenneth Bowen and Antony Saunders. On leaving he was awarded HRH Princess Alice's Prize and the Tom Hammond Opera Prize. He also took part in the London Royal School's Vocal Faculty Opera Course and made his first appearance with them in The Fair at Sorochintsi singing the role of Afanasy Ivanovich the priest's son, (in Russian) for which he was highly thought of by Gennadi Rozhdestvensky who conducted these performances at the Britten Theatre of the Royal College of Music in London. Other roles for the London Royal Schools' Opera Course included Lysander in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Gonzalve in L'Heure Espagnole, Ferrando in Cosi fan tutte conducted by Sir Colin Davis, produced by John Copley and Varo in Arminio for the London Handel Society in co-operation with the London Royal Schools Vocal Faculty. Other work has included the title role in Albert Herring, Marco in The Gondoliers and Slender in Sir John in Love for British Youth Opera. His non-operatic repertoire includes Bach's Mass in B minor, Christmas Oratorio and St. John Passion, Elgar's Dream of Gerontius, Haydn's Creation, Handel's Messiah and Samson, Mendelssohn's Elijah, Mozart's Requiem, Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde and Denis Apivor's Landscapes. While developing his repertoire as a Lieder singer he sang Die schöne Müllerin for the first time for the Redcliffe Concerts of 20th Century English Music. In 1997, he made his Royal Opera debut as The Western Union Boy and Hot Biscuit Slim in Britten's Paul Bunyan at the Snape Maltings, the Shaftesbury Theatre, London, and the Corn Exchange, King's Lynn. Other roles have included Goro in Madama Butterfly and Cecco in Il Mondo della Luna with Opera Zuid in the Netherlands, Fracasso in Mozart's La Finta Semplice at the Buxton Festival and Pong in Turandot for Mid Wales Opera. In September 1999 he made his debut at English National Opera in Monteverdi's Orfeo, and went on to sing the role of Flamand in Capriccio at the Opera de Nantes. He later sang Tchaplitzky in Pique Dame at the Royal Opera House and the world premiere of Casken’s God’s Liar for the Almeida Theatre in London and the Theatre de la Monnaie, Brussels. More recently he has sung Second Jew in Salome under Zubin Mehta with the Israel Philharmonic, L’Heure Espagnole with Opera Zuid, and Flute/Thisbe in A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Copenhagen.

Sue McCulloch (vocal consultant): Susan McCulloch's career as an international soprano spans all fields of the classical music world. Glyndebourne Festival, New Year Opera Galas at the Royal Albert Hall, E.N.O., international opera performances as Tosca, the Countess, Marcellina, Leonora etc, with such eminent colleagues as Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Sir Charles Mackerras and Bryn Terfel, to name but a few. Wide varieties of concert and oratorio work in the UK, Europe, the USA and the Far East - and a television and recording catalogue that includes Inspector Morse, Marriage of Figaro and Opera Karaoke! Running parallel to her career as a solo performer, she has established herself as a sought-after vocal teacher. Susan was invited to become a Performance Consultant at the Royal Opera House 'Vilar Young Artists Programme' and is a Professor of Voice at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, (she also taught for ten years at Trinity College London,) and has rapidly acquired a reputation as a knowledgeable, enthusiastic, energetic and likeable teacher, lecturer and masterclass-giver both within the Conservatoire environment and at advanced level national and international vocal summer schools.

Nigel Perrin: Nigel's musical life began as a boy chorister at Ely Cathedral, from where he won a choral scholarship to King's College, Cambridge, to study under Sir David Willcocks. After a short time spent singing in most of London's professional choirs, Nigel became well-known as the high voice of The King's Singers and for the next eleven years he travelled the world on concert tours, recorded some twenty-five albums and appeared in countless television shows with artists as diverse as Kiri Te Kanawa and Cliff Richard. This background and experience formed the basis of his current international career - conducting, directing choral workshops and summer schools, adjudicating and teaching. He is a member of staff at Wells Cathedral Specialist Music School, where he works with young developing voices and trains the Chapel Choir. As well as conducting Bath Spa University’s Choir he also conducts Bath Camerata, the City of Bath Bach Choir, the Bath Festival Chorus and the Exeter Festival Chorus, and works regularly as consultant and motivator to many other choral groups.

Helen Porter: Helen is a singer, voice coach and composer. She performs with the jazz cabaret quartet Misbehavin’ , and with jazz pianist Pete Rosser, and makes regular appearances at Festivals and Arts Venues across the South West. Helen has completed Estill levels 1 & 2, and uses Estill voice practice extensively in her own teaching. She works thoroughly with all of her students at developing sound technique as well as performance artistry. She is passionate about singing teaching, and runs courses and residentials throughout the year with her own company, Counterparts UK. www.counterparts.org.uk Helen also lived in The Netherlands for 6 years, teaching voice studies at the Hogeschool voor de Kunsten, Utrecht. Ongoing projects include working as composer with film-maker Richard Alywin and actor/poet Karen Hayes on ‘The Edges of Everywhere’, a project about Altzheimers disease, in collaboration with WNO and the Wiltshire Music Centre. Helen is also currently working on a chamber opera recently selected by the Royal Opera House opera development programme, Opera Genesis (ROH2). Earlier this year she was made a fellow of the RSA (Royal Society of Arts).