EJMS Staff
Ealing Junior Music School have some 50 teaching staff and offer tuition in all orchestral instruments, recorder, singing, guitar and percussion. Come and meet them all.
Music Directors
Felix McGonigal
Music DirectorFelix McGonigal is a graduate of The Queen’s College, Oxford University and the Royal Academy of Music where she studied conducting with Colin Metters, George Hurst and Sir Colin Davis.
She currently also holds the post of Director of Music Specialism for the Twyford CofE Academies Trust (Twyford CofE High School, William Perkin CofE High School, Ealing Fields High School and Ada Lovelace CofE High School). She is involved with many educational and community music organisations, including W11 Opera for Young People, Spode Music Week and the Choir of Our Most Holy Redeemer and St Thomas More, Chelsea.
Felix organises and conducts many Ensembles at EJMS. These include: Elementary Wind Band / Big Band / Ealing Childrens’ Choir.
Elinor Corp
Assistant Music DirectorElinor Corp has been a professional conductor for 25 years and has made a speciality of working with children and amateurs. After reading music at Bristol University she studied conducting with Alan Hazeldine of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama while doing an academic postgraduate course at City University and conducting Goldsmiths Youth Orchestra. She has recorded film music and conducted incidental music for plays as well as conducting operas, musicals and particularly Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.
Elinor is music director of Fever Pitch, a small chamber choir and she is the Deputy Director of Music at James Allen’s Girls’ School in Dulwich. Having spent her youth playing the oboe in orchestra on Saturday mornings for three hours every week she is a firm believer in Saturday morning music making, as are her three children and jazz trumpet playing husband Mark Armstrong.
Strings
Francisco Jimeno
Violin TeacherFrancisco is an Expert in Music Analysis and Interpretation by the University of Oviedo and holds a Master’s degree from Trinity Laban, under the direction of the prestigious violinist Mayumi Fujikawa. For two years he studied with Yossi Zivoni. He is a sessional music teacher for the Ealing Music Service and is looking forward to joining EJMS in September 2019. Francisco has previously taught at EJMS as a dep teacher. He also helped EJMS at the ‘Come & Play Day’ in Pitshanger Park in June 2019, so is no stranger to the musical ethos and standards that EJMS requires.
Francisco is a great enthusiast and promoter of the contemporary repertoire and has been working with several composers in the creation and premiere of new works for his instrument. He premiered the violin concerto dedicated to him by the Catalan composer David Bozzo at St James Piccadilly and recorded two CDs, one with Bozzo’s solo violin music and another one with his pieces for string quartet with the London City Quartet, that Francisco leads.
Francisco has been leading several orchestras, such as the London Classical Soloists and the London City Orchestra. In Spain he is the concertmaster of the orchestra Symphonia Orbitalis and performed the double violin concert of Malcolm Arnold with them.
Francisco holds a PhD in History and a BA in Humanities. He has taught Spanish Contemporary History in the Jaume I University in Spain and he was a visiting PhD research fellow at Queen Mary University of London.
Paula Guerra Collar
Violin TeacherPaula started her music studies at the age of four, in Tarragona, Spain, under professor
Josep Maria Ferrando. Her violin studies were followed by the Honour Prize at Vilaseca’s Conservatory in 2018 with remarkable critiques. A keen violin player, Paula has taken part in various masterclasses with highly acclaimed musicians such as Levon Chilingirian, Krysia Osostowicz, Gerhard Quartet, Endellion Quartet, London Symphony Orchestra side by side…
A big step in her career was the year she spent studying next to Eva Graubin, in Barcelona whereas the year after, she began her Undergraduate degree under professor Krzysztof Smietana, at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Paula has given many recitals as a soloist, but also as a violinist in orchestras, ensembles, string quartets and piano trios. Some of the well-known venues where she has performed are the Pau Casals Auditorium in Spain, Barbican, where she performed Verdi’s Requiem under James Blair and Saffron Hall in the UK, where she performed a recital and taught a masterclass with her quartet.
Alongside her accomplishments as a violin player, Paula has an extensive experience as a music teacher. She has been teaching all the levels of violin since 2017, either face-to-face or online, as well as music theory. Paula’s successful music teaching career is built on her dedication to her students, making them feel welcome and comfortable to enjoy music to the fullest. Paula joined EJMS on 11 September 2021.
Nicolo Borgese
Violin TeacherWith more than 20 years of experience as a teacher and a concert player all over Europe, I have honed my skills and expertise to offer the highest quality education to my students.
As a graduate of the Vincenzo Bellini Conservatory in Italy, I have received exceptional training in the violin class. I have also pursued additional studies in psychology and sociology of teaching to enhance my teaching methods and skills. Over the years, I have accumulated considerable experience in teaching music to students of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, including those with specific learning disorders, disabilities, and mental disorders. As a Strings Lead, I am confident in my ability to support and teach more than one string instrument, including the Violin, and Viola. I take great pride in inspiring and motivating the younger generation, and I am comfortable working with pupils on a 1:1 and group basis. In addition to my Classical music training, over the years, I have gained extensive experience in Jazz, Pop, Tango, and House Music genres.
Nicolo joined the EJMS Satff in September 2023.
Debs White
Violin TeacherDebs is an Australian violinist, leader, soloist, teacher and string contractor based in London. She currently leads the London Music Theatre Orchestra of which she is also the string contractor. Debs also frequently holds string workshops for the artist development program of the LMTO.
Shows for LMTO include The Best Of The West End (Royal Albert Hall), Lucie Jones Live (Adelphi Theatre), Cinderella (Cadogan), Ben Forster Live (Haymarket), Girlfriends (Bishopsgate Institute), Camelot (Palladium), King (Hackney Empire), Candide (Cadogan), A Christmas Carol (Lyceum).
Other shows include The Boy Friend (Menier Chocolate Factory), The Bridges of Madison County (Menier), Miss Saigon (Uk/Ireland&International Tour), Candide (Orpheus Ensemble and Menier), The Best Of The West End (Royal Albert Hall), The Three Phantoms (Macau), Les Miserables (Dubai Opera House), Henry IV & Henry V (RSC Barbican), Porgy and Bess (Regents Park Theatre), The Life Of The Party (Menier), The Wind In The Willows (ROH Duchess Theatre).
Debs was also the ‘flying violinist’ for the world premiere of Stockhausen Mittwoch for Birmingham Opera Company and has been the onstage solo violinist for Cirque Du Soleil Varekai.
Debs joined EJMS as a violin teacher in April 2020, having previously depped.
Costas Manoras
Violin TeacherCostas is a long-standing and experienced teacher at EJMS, teaching violin and directing the Intermediate String Orchestra. After graduating, Costas sustained an early career as a freelance orchestral and session violinist. He gradually became interested in teaching and has devoted the rest of his working life to music education, teaching in many schools and nurturing the love of music to the hundreds of his pupils of all ages over the years. Costas is a firm believer in exposing young children to good music from the classical repertoire. To this end he has spent many decades arranging and adapting works for string orchestras and ensembles, making them suitable and accessible to young players.
Costas is currently Head of Strings at the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, a post he has held since 1989. He also directs the Choir of the Greek Cathedral St Sophia’s in Bayswater, a historic choir which was founded in 1848 and which has served the Greek Community in London since that time.
Costas is a great advocate of equal opportunities for all those wishing to learn to play a musical instrument and has actively opposed cuts to music education made by successive governments and local councils. His greatest pleasure is watching his pupils develop their musical skills and acquiring the passion for music making.
Rebecca White
Violin TeacherRebecca White joined the EJMS team in January 2024.
Fuller details and photo to follow.
Pippa Griffin
Violin / Viola TeacherPippa is a musician from London, specialising in the Violin and Viola, both acoustic and electric.
She studied at the London College of Music where she led the Orchestra, String Ensemble and Musical Theatre Showband. Since graduating with a First Class Honours in Music Performance and a Diploma in Conducting she has continued to have a varied career as a freelance musician. Pippa regularly performs in Concerts, Musical Theatre Shows, Recording Sessions, Music Videos, Weddings and Events as a Soloist and with a variety of ensembles, including Belle Quartet, of which she is Co-Founder and Violist. Performances have included venues such as the Royal Festival Hall, Arts Theatre, Fairfield Halls, Trafalgar Square, and Recording Sessions at Abbey Road Studios.
In addition to her performance work, Pippa also writes String Arrangements across styles from Classical to Pop, regularly recording multi-instrumental covers.
As an Instrumental Teacher she loves to help students recognise their full potential and enjoy learning music! Pippa joined the EJMS Staff in September 2023.
Sharada Mack
Violin / Viola TeacherSharada grew up and discovered her love of music in Ealing and after studying at the Royal College of Music she was appointed to the Viola section in the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Since 1990 Sharada has pursued a freelance career based in London. Her experience covers all genres of Music and she plays with many of the leading UK Orchestras and with Soloists and Conductors of world renown.
Sharada teaches Viola at Tonbridge School and both Violin and Viola at Hobbayne Primary School. She has taught at Royal College of Music Juniors, Junior Guildhall, Benenden School and QYMC. Many of Sharada’s pupils join Ealing Youth Orchestra and some have gained places in the National Youth Orchestra.
Learning a musical instrument demands discipline, perseverance and commitment and the Violin/Viola require complicated skills to be learned at the outset for the voice of the instrument to be heard. In playing a string instrument we learn patience and self-control and develop will-power. Playing music stimulates connections within the brain so supporting academic success, coordination and health and wellbeing. Learning a musical instrument is fun, and it is inclusive, and the friends we make during the highs of making music remain our friends for life.
Martin Smith
Violin / Viola TeacherMartin Smith was a scholarship winner at the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied violin and conducting. He began his career as a member of the Duke String Quartet, performing with them throughout Britain and Europe, before joining the London Mozart Players, the UK’s longest established chamber orchestra.
He has worked with most of the UK’s leading chamber orchestras, and has appeared as leader or guest principal player with many others. He has made solo appearances around the UK and also in Europe and the United States, many as leader of the London Soloists Chamber Orchestra which he led and directed for over ten years.
As a conductor Martin has appeared with the London Mozart Players, and has led orchestral workshops for them and for ESTA. He has been conductor and artistic director of Enfield Chamber Orchestra since 2008, and of the Richmond Orchestra since 2016, and is increasingly in demand as a guest conductor. Martin joined the staff of EJMS in 2013.
“Music is part of our human birthright. I have never met an unmusical child. Helping them realise that is a passion for me, and EJMS is the ideal place in which to do it.”
Maddy Dawson
Violin/Viola TeacherMadeleine Dawson is a British violinist, born and raised in Birmingham and driven to London to get her BMus Hons at the Royal College of Music. She then followed along to receive a first-degree Master of Performance from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. In her time there, she discovered a passion for 20th Century Eastern European string music as well as chamber music.
Atop of her violin teaching, she remains an avid chamber musician, working with her string quartet, piano trio and harp duo alike. She also works frequently with the Brixton Chamber Orchestra, providing free music for communities around Brixton and Lambeth.
Andreas Manoras
Cello TeacherAndreas studied the cello, piano and composition at the Royal Academy of Music and graduated in 1985. Over the years, he has given numerous solo recitals and chamber music recitals, as well as sustaining an extensive freelance orchestral career. At present, he has a full teaching workload at five different schools, both in Ealing and in central London.
Born and brought up in Ealing, Andreas is very passionate about EJMS, as he believes that learning a musical instrument is one of life’s greatest gifts not to be wasted. “It has to be fun as well as educational”. EJMS provides both of these things to students of all ages, in a warm and friendly environment.
Richard Bolton
Cello TeacherRichard Bolton gained an Honours degree in Music from Oxford University and went on to postgraduate study in jazz at The Guildhall School of Music & Drama, and research into improvisation at Sheffield University for an M.Mus.
His career has fallen into two distinct arenas. Firstly, as a freelance performer, teacher, composer and journalist, Richard covered a wide range of styles and locations, including theatre at the National Theatre, recording film soundtracks such as ‘Gosford Park’, and performing with various jazz artists, festivals and tours. Notable artists he has worked with on cello include June Tabor, Mike Westbrook, Mervyn Afrika and Huw Warren. He also spent 12 years accompanying Sir Willard White in his tribute to Paul Robeson.
Subsequently he gained a PGCE at the Institute of Education and worked as a classroom music teacher. He is currently Head of Music at a school in Barnet.
Richard resides in Ealing and is still an active performer, playing in the folk duo Cooper & Bolton, whose fourth cd is due to be released imminently. He is also a member of the Ealing Symphony Orchestra and enjoys playing chamber music.
Ricahrd joined the EJMS team in September 2023. Richard’s photo is by Sue Lee.
Lesley Vincent
Double Bass TeacherLesley studied Double Bass at Trinity College of Music, London and the Musikhochschüle Lübeck, Germany. She has had a varied playing career working with the London Philharmonic Orchestra on their ‘Future Firsts’ scheme and with the Oldenburgishes Staatstheater Orchestra in Germany primarily playing a variety of operatic repertoire where a highlight was doing the five hour marathon of Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg.
She served in the Royal Air Force for 12 years as Double Bassist of the Salon Orchestra of the RAF Central Band. This gave her a plethora of musical experiences and through it had the opportunity to meet and talk with Her Majesty the Queen.
Lesley has also played in a chamber group on a cruise ship in the Caribbean and Alaska, and in folk, rock and pit bands. As well as EJMS she currently teaches Double Bass (also Piano and Theory) for Brent Music Services and at Brunel University.
Lesley has been a Director of Music in an Anglican church as well as conducting and accompanying choirs and musically directing shows for youth and adults. Lesley re-joined the EJMS team in January 2024.
Donald Robinson
CELLO TEACHERMy name is Donald Robinson and I am a cellist and teacher in London. I am very excited to be joining the EJMS teaching faculty from January 2020 alongside such a fantastic group of instrumental tutors! I have been a visiting teacher on a few occasions and was instantly impressed with the atmosphere and music making attitude.
I am a graduate of the Royal College of Music here in London where I studied with Professor Melissa Phelps and spent three years in Germany at the Hochschule für Künste Bremen beforehand. Before that I attended the Music School of Douglas Academy in Glasgow where I grew up.
I have always been a keen teacher and I split my time between freelancing as a cellist, private cello teaching and teaching piano and taking choirs at La Petite Ecole Bilingue in Ladbrooke Grove and Kentish Town as their school music teacher. Keeping a good variety in my work is very important to me and that is something I try to encourage in my teaching.
Woodwind
Tim Osborne
Flute TeacherI am a friendly teacher with almost twenty years of teaching experience and a music graduate of Goldsmiths’ College, London University.
I currently teach at the City of London School and Ealing Junior Music School, and am fully CRB checked and a member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM).
Thady Cooney
Flute TeacherThady has been teaching flute for several years with appointments at several schools across London. He has become a highly sought after teacher with student’s achievements including successes with scholarships, youth orchestra placements and youth academy auditions.
Having studied a Bachelors in music at Goldsmiths university, Thady’s degree was based in performance and held emphasis on solo, ensemble and orchestral playing. Since then, Thady has sought out and learned with internationally acclaimed flute teachers creating a unique playing and teaching style.
With several performance appointments spanning all genres; from classical concerts in solo flute, flute quartets and orchestral concert to less traditional DJ sets, Gallery exhibitions and guided meditations. Thady has a keen knowledge of flute and ensemble repertoire and has played everything from early renaissance to new commissions. Thady joined the EJMS Staff in September 2023.
David Hedley
Oboe TeacherSince completing his masters degree at the Royal College of Music in David has appeared as guest principal oboe with the London Symphony Orchestra, Welsh National Opera, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Camerata Nordica and has had the opportunity to work with world renowned conductors including Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Antonio Pappano, Daniel Harding and Gianandrea Noseda.
David has always been passionate about learning and teaching and alongside his role at EJMS regularly coaches students throughout the UK and has been invited on numerous occasions to coach students in LSO workshops.
David joined the EJMS staff in January 2023.
Mafalda Ramos
Recorder TeacherI am a historical flautist based in London, United Kingdom.
An alumna of the Royal College of Music, I have graduated their BMus (Hons) degree with first class in 2016 and their MMus degree with a distinction in 2018. There I studied Historical Flutes with Rachel Brown and Lisa Beznosiuk and participated in the RCM Baroque Ensemble, where I played in multiple concerts and had the honor of being a soloist in their performance of J. S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto no. 5 in 2016. I was a scholar at this institution, where i had a Kyra and Douglas Downie Award, a Kirby Laing Award, a Barry Shaw Award and St, Marylebone Educational Foundation Scholarship.
In the past few years I have also learnt from Olavo Barros, Wilbert Hazelzet, Ashley Solomon, Claudio Astronio, Adrien Butterfield, Jane Chapman and Carla Rees, amongst other prominent musicians of the Flute and Historical Performance scene.
My repertoire ranges from the late seventeenth to the late nineteenth century and I am especially interested in the music making in the home of the eighteenth century France.
I am very happy to take part in the Handel House Talent Scheme 2018-2019 at the Handel and Hendrix Museum in London.
Past highlights from my career include playing with the London Handel Orchestra, The Brook Street Band, Casa da Música Baroque Orchestra, and the continuous work with Aidan Phillips (Harpsichord) in Ensemble Tircis and with Luke Challinor (Viola da Gamba), Abel Balazs (violin) and Madeline Claire de Berrié (Soprano) in Grand Siecle.
Teresa Wrann
Recorder / Fun Theory TeacherTeresa is currently on sabbatical leave from EJMS.
Teresa Wrann was born in Thüringen, a little village in the middle of the Austrian alps. She graduated with distinction from her BMus in Recorder and Music Education in Austria and her Master’s degree at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
Teresa is passionate about offering every child a chance to make their first musical steps and experience the joy music can bring. Music is a wonderful way of communicating with each other and offers opportunities for every child to be included.
She started teaching in London in July 2017 and has previously worked as a recorder and early years music teacher in Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
Teresa regularly performs as a soloist and with various baroque orchestras as well as her early music ensemble “Apollo’s Cabinet” in the UK and Europe and hugely enjoys the variety it gives her.
Besides teaching and performing, she is passionate about cooking, dancing, languages and loves to travel.
Helen Pierce
Clarinet / Saxophone TeacherAfter graduating from Goldsmith’s University Helen studied at Trinity College of Music for a Master’s degree which she passed with distinction. In 2001 Helen was awarded the Wilfred Hambleton prize for clarinet playing and went on to study in Germany and also Italy with Hans Deinzer. As a member of the clarinet quartet Clariphonics she won a Park Lane Group Young Artists Award, which included a performance at the Purcell Room.
Helen is co-principal clarinet with St Paul’s Sinfonia and has worked with orchestras such as Ensemble Modern, Darmstadt Staatstheater Opera Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, English Sinfonia and Royal Ballet Sinfonia. Recording sessions include Miguel D’Oliveira’s score for The Prosecutors, BBC 4 and Suzy Klein’s ‘Our Classical Century’, BBC 4.
Most recent solo engagements include a thrilling performance of Finzi’s Clarinet Concerto with the Wallace Ensemble for Mill Hill Music Club in April 2019. Helen teaches Clarinet at the London Oratory School and Hill House International School. As a bass clarinettist and saxophonist Helen is a regular visitor to Cornwall every summer for the St Endellion Festival.
Sophia Elger
Clarinet / Saxophone TeacherSophia Elger is a British saxophonist whose performances have been described as “captivating, exciting, and engaging” (Richard Ingham). She recently graduated from the Royal College of Music with Distinction. During her Masters years, she was a Leverhulme Arts Scholar, an Ian Fleming Award holder, and the recipient of the Biddy Baxter and John Hosier Trust Award 2021.
Sophia is a committed soloist and ensemble player. In addition, she has developed an interest in initiating and directing collaborative projects incorporating other creative disciplines.
In 2021, Sophia won First Prize in the Jane Melber Saxophone Competition, Second Prize in the Clarinet and Saxophone Society of Great Britain Competition, and Third Prize in the RCM Contemporary Competition. In 2020, she was awarded Second Prize in the RCM Concerto Competition.
Sophia has been selected as a Young Artist of the Musicians’ Company, the Hattori Foundation, DEBUT Horizon, and Talent Unlimited. She has performed extensively as a soloist at venues including St Martin-in-the-Fields, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the 1901 Arts Club, and The Lighthouse Concert Hall in Poole (where she performed Alexander Glazunov’s Saxophone Concerto). Last year, she performed Jacques Ibert’s Concertino da Camera with the RCM Orchestra in the Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall.
Sophia joined the EJMS staff in September 2022.
Laura Underwood
Clarinet / Saxophone TeacherLaura has been involved with EJMS since 1999 as both a parent and then from 2005 as a teacher. Two of her daughters attended EJMS starting at about the age 7 and between them they studied the Violin, Cello and Flute.
Laura teaches the clarinet and saxophone and has led the Saxophone Ensemble and currently directs the Clarinet Choir. She finds EJMS very rewarding and gets great pleasure seeing her pupils progress, develop their musical skills and participate in the many ensembles and bands that EJMS has to offer.
She is a Music Education graduate of Kingston University studying under Daphne Down. Whilst an undergraduate she gained her Clarinet Diploma from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (LGSM) and latterly completed a PGCE at the Roehampton Institute.
Laura also assists with the administration of EJMS one day a week during term time and her husband, Ross, is Secretary of the Friends of EJMS and also a Trustee. Over the years EJMS has become quite a family affair.
Sim Murray
Clarinet / Saxophone TeacherSim studied jazz at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, has performed on BBC Radio 2’s Mark Lamarr Show and toured Europe with the Glenn Miller Memorial Orchestra. He had his playing praised in a Musicians’ Union Magazine review of an album by jazz singer Julie Dunn.
Holly Redshaw
Bassoon TeacherBorn and raised in North London, Holly graduated from the Royal College of Music with a Masters of Music in Performance in 2021; prior to this, she studied on the Joint Course at the RNCM and University of Manchester, graduating with 1st Class Honours from both institutions in 2019. Holly has performed with orchestras including the London Mozart Players, Hallé Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House and Covent Garden Sinfonia, and was one of two bassoonists with Southbank Sinfonia for the 22/23 seasons.
A passionate chamber musician, Holly regularly plays with her quintet, Festivo Winds, who have performed extensively across the North-West at venues including the Bridgewater Hall and Manchester Museum,as well as the Edingburgh Festival Fringe. In 2018 they won both the John Fewkes Woodwind Prize and the Audience Prize at the Christopher Rowland Chamber Group of the Year competition at the RNCM. In 2022 they were featured guests of the Manchester based composers collective UnHeard Hybrid Orchestra, performing to a sold out audience at the Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room.
Holly is also an experienced soloist,and in 2021 was the joint overall winner of the RCM Solo Woodwind Prize, was a soloist in a performance of Reynaldo Hahn’s ‘Concerto Provençal for Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn and String Orchestra’ with Southbank Sinfonia in November 2022, and in 2017 performed Elgar’s Romance for Bassoon and Orchestra with the Manchester University Symphony Orchestra.
Alongside her career as a performer, Holly is deeply involved in music education and currently teaches bassoon as Dame Alice Owen’s School in Hertfordshire, and at both Hampton School and Lady Eleanor Holles School. She is also a Live Music Now musician with Festivo Winds. Holly joined the EJMS Staff in September 2023.
Away from the bassoon, Holly is a keen runner and cyclist, and if not outdoors can be usually be found knitting.
Brass
Ian Lynch
Trumpet TeacherIan started playing the Cornet at 11 years old. He played in his local Brass band, moved onto the trumpet at the age of 15 and played with Merseyside Youth Orchestra.
Ian then studied at the Royal Academy of Music and later in New York with the legendary Vincent Penzarella at the New York Philharmonic. Ian is principal Trumpet with the London Brass Consort and also plays with London Gabrieli Brass and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
He has played many West End Shows, including Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Matilda and Porgy and Bess. Ian lives and teaches in Buckinghamshire and has taught trumpet at EJMS since 2012.
Guy Berry
Trombone / Trumpet / Tuba TeacherGuy joins EJMS in September 2021. Guy is currently going into his final year of his undergraduate degree at the Royal Academy of Music. He started playing the trombone at 10 years old, taught by his father John Berry with additional learning through the Saturday morning centre of Bristol Schools Music Service.
Upon leaving school Guy joined the Corps of Army Music in the British Army and was a professional musician in the Band of the Corps of the Royal Engineers for 3 years. During his time in the Army, he played all over the world as well as taking part in educational workshops in schools and universities in Canada, Germany and all over the UK.
Guy has a passion for teaching and believes strongly that learning an instrument is a fantastic way for young people to gain a love for the arts, in addition to being highly beneficial for social and educational development. Guy believes that everyone will have their own way of learning and will work hard to make sure that each student receives the individual approach to their musical education that they deserve.
Tabitha Bolter
Horn / Trumpet TeacherTabitha Bolter is a London based horn player who has recently graduated with Distinction from the Royal College of Music. She gained a first class undergraduate degree from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
She has played as a freelance orchestral musician with a number of professional orchestras including the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, Dorset Opera and appeared as a soloist at the Battle Proms in July 2023. She has also participated on the BBC Symphony Placement Scheme, and has toured with ensembles worldwide.
Tabitha has a strong commitment to teaching and focuses on fostering a fun learning environment for all her students, hoping to pass on the happiness that music has provided her with.
Tabitha also enjoys chamber music, and has taken part in multiple outreach workshops with Decoda Ensemble, London Symphony Orchestra, The Royal College of Music and the Tri-Borough Music Hub. In her free time Tabitha has completed two Olympic-Distance Triathlons for Great Ormond Street hospital, and is currently working towards her third.
Tabitha joined the EJMS teaching staff in September 2023.
Percussion
Tom Dickson
Percussion TeacherTom has been described as a kind and experienced teacher who “has the unusual ability to understand exactly what the student wants to achieve and what learning style would best suit them”. Tom teaches Drum lessons at EJMS as well as directing the senior percussion ensemble.
Tom graduated from the Royal Academy of Music with an MA in Jazz Performance, and has been in demand as a Drummer and a Pianist for various gigs around London ever since as well as composing music for his own projects. He has also completed an LRAM (advanced teaching diploma) during his time there and it is a combination of this in addition to his practical experience which informs his teaching practice.
Tom joined the EJMS teaching staff in April 2023.
Justin Tambini
Percussion TeacherI teach drum kit and percussion at EJMS and run the beginner and intermediate percussion ensembles. I am a 23 year old drummer. I am very passionate about music and specifically jazz. I know what a phenomenal impact music can have on young people and I am keen to share that with as many people as possible!
I can be seen playing at many venues across London, such as the main show at Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express jazz club Soho or the Royal Festival Hall to name a few. I am currently in the final year of my MA in jazz performance and composition at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music on a scholarship.
What is special about EJMS is the dedication and passion of the young students in a really friendly learning environment. The whole team at EJMS is supportive and the vibe is fun, so why not come and try out playing drums today!
Hammadi Rencurrell
Percussion TeacherBorn in the musical heartland of Havana, Cuba, Hammadi studied classical music and piano for 15 years. He graduated from the world renowned Superior Institute of Art with first-class degree in percussion.
Over the years Hammadi has had the privilege to work and collaborate with many outstanding artists, including Chucho Valdes, Omara Portuondo, Robert Mitchell, Carlos Acosta, Irakere, Gustavo Dudamel, Mike Figgis, London Philharmonic and Symphonic Orchestras, to name a few.
He has been presented with the UNEAC (Cuban Union of Writers and Artists) prize at the “VII Festival Internacional Percuba.”
Guitars
Brent Cundall
Rock Guitar TeacherBrent Cundall joins EJMS in September 2021. Brent is a multi-instrumentalist, originally from Nashville, Tennessee, USA. He has taught peripatetic music lessons on guitar, bass and drums for the last 4 years with the Twyford Academies Trust, as well as teaching Year 7 and Year 8 music classes at two Trust schools. He currently teaches at Ada Lovelace, Ealing Fields and William Perkins schools in the Trust.
Growing up in Nashville, Brent was surrounded by music. Starting out on trombone, his interests quickly expanded to drums and guitar as well. Brent studied Jazz percussion at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. While there he studied drums, bass and theory and arranging with jazz greats Jerry Coker and Donald Brown. After leaving school, Brent spent two years working as a bassist and percussionist at Dollywood theme park in East Tennessee, owned by Country music star Dolly Parton. His time there saw him performing with members of the Parton family and, through playing 5 shows a day, 6 days a week, eventually performing in front of over a million and a half people.
Since then, Brent has lived and worked in Atlanta, Knoxville and Nashville, where he lived for several years before moving to London in 2015. He worked as a recording and performing musician on bass and acoustic guitar in and around Nashville, including gigs with several Contemporary Christian Music artists such as Steve Green, Phil Keaggy, Wes King, Buddy Greene and Rick Florian of Whiteheart. He also toured for a stint with The Stolen Faces, a band celebrating the music of the Grateful Dead.
They currently live with their three teenagers in Southall, where they have a small production studio and produce music of their own, while teaching music and performing around London.
Luca Chessa
Classical Guitar TeacherLuca Chessa is a graduate of The London Centre of Creative Media (LCCM), where he studied performance, music theory, composition, arranging, and music production.
Luca is a dedicated professional musician who juggles multiple roles, including serving as a private guitar instructor, session musician, and recording artist/producer. His primary teaching objective is to impart his musical knowledge and boundless passion to his students, aiding them in enhancing their skills and deriving the same joy from music that he does. Luca tailors his lessons to each student’s aspirations and areas of improvement, ensuring rapid and effective progress while maintaining the student’s interest in the instrument. His personalised lesson plans are designed to help students achieve their goals while making the learning process enjoyable. With a focus on diverse styles and techniques, Luca welcomes anyone, whether they want to enhance their existing skills or embark on a musical journey from scratch. Liuca joined the EJMS staff in September 2023.
Singing
Carolyn Filak Royan
Singing TeacherI am opera singer, Mezzo Soprano. I studied at Jacob’s School of Music at Indiana University and received a Bachelor and Master’s of Music for vocal performance. I have sung my whole life.
I started teaching at EJMS in January 2016. I teach singing because I get same thrill out of teaching my students as I do performing in a great opera performance. It’s the passing on of all the good and happiness in music that was given to me. EJMS provides a positive, fun and creative atmosphere for musicians of all ages. I also teach in my own studio and at William Perkin High School.
I am passionate about my family, couture fashion, film, Netflix, Jazz, Pop Music, and Golden Retrievers. If I did not teach singing, I would love to be a cellist and electric guitarist.
Carolyn Filak Royan, Mezzo Soprano
B.M. M.M. Vocal Performance
Sandra Porter
Singing TeacherSandra has enjoyed teaching singing at EJMS for 8 years. It is a very rewarding part of her music life. She believes singing should be joyful and loves guiding young people into the habits of breathing well, communicating, good posture and diction – the basic building blocks for any style of singing. With encouragement, even the diffident can develop confidence in expressing emotion and musicality through singing.
An accomplished singer, Sandra has broadcast for Radio 3, been a soloist with ensembles, choirs and orchestras here and abroad including The Chamber Group of Scotland, BBCSSO, Sentieri Selvaggi. She has sung roles with ENO, London Early Opera, ETO, European Chamber Opera, Opera Holland Park and Buxton Festival
In addition Sandra teaches singing privately, is a visiting lecturer of vocal style and presentation at the Scottish Conservatoire of Music, has adjudicated at the Edinburgh Competitive Festival and at the RCS.
Musicianship
Temple Cundall
Musicianship TeacherTemple Cundall majored in Drama at the University of Tennessee. She has been a professional singer since 1995 when she began performing in a show at Dollywood.
Temple began teaching early childhood music classes for a world renowned and award winning company called The Music Class in Nashville in 2010. She loves music and children and is passionate about passing on a love of music and the arts. Because she feels that music is a place of respite in a restless world and a powerful tool for change. Temple joined the EJMS staff in September 2023.
Fenella Norman
Musicianship TeacherFenella teaches Musicianship classes at EJMS and loves it! Fenella is an actress and musician and has performed on stage across the UK and on TV and radio. She enjoys dividing her time between the theatre and Music teaching and she teaches Music at North Ealing Primary School as well as EJMS.
In Musicianship classes we aim to give very young children a fun and creative experience while fostering a love of Music through songs, instruments, drama, games and all sorts of musical fun: You might find us being musical dinosaurs or doing the Can-can or creating creepy sounds for a ghost story! We try to stretch our imaginations while learning to think in a musical way.
Fenella plays the piano and sings, and enjoys walking, swimming, reading and (when she has time) painting pictures. She lives in Ealing with her actor husband Chris Kent and two daughters Georgia and Clara.
Accompanists / Theory / Aural Training
Nina Leosawasthiphong
Theory TeacherHaving trained as a concert pianist and graduated with Honours from the Royal Academy of Music in 2009, Nina performs to the highest level both as a soloist and as a chamber musician. She combines her international experience in performance with her musical knowledge and training to make Music Theory relevant, applicable, and engaging for students of all ages.
Nina has been a tutor of music and piano for almost twenty years and has successfully prepared students of all ages and levels for exams, auditions, competitions, and concerts. She has been teaching Music Theory at Ealing Junior Music School for more than ten years and is also a visiting piano tutor at Clifford Chance Law Firm. Nina has a broad spectrum of musical interests covering all genres and is active in many other fields of the musical profession including performance, education, and research. Her enthusiasm for teaching enables her to ensure that each student will get a specifically tailored approach to encourage his or her own musical development at a pace that suits him or her.
Hailing from both Switzerland and Thailand, Nina has performed internationally as a soloist and chamber musician and is a prizewinner of numerous festivals and competitions. She has given solo recitals in many venues worldwide and also participates in various instrumental ensembles and corporate/commercial events. Her musical training began in her hometown of Chiang Mai, Thailand where she studied piano with Professor Bennett Lerner before continuing on to Cornell University in New York where she studied English Literature and Music. Nina then moved on to attend the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she gained her LRAM (Licentiate of The Royal Academy of Music) Teaching Diploma in 2006 and graduated from the BMus Course in Piano Performance with Honours in 2009.
Amirah Chishti
Theory TeacherAmirah Chisti is a former student at EJMS. She joined the EJMS staff as a theory teacher in September 2022, replacing Katie Lodge whose photo is shown.
Fuller details and correct photo to follow.
Lydia Lallemant
Accompaniment / Senior Aural TeacherLydia is 29 years old and has played the piano since the age of nine. She attended Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, and in July 2011 was awarded First Prize at The Chetham’s Piano Competition in association with Yamaha. In October 2011 she also competed in an international piano competition in Rome, shortly before taking her DipABRSM in Piano Performance.
Lydia is a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music, where she has performed in numerous concerts, including performances with the RNCM Big band. She is a keen chamber musician, performing in a variety of ensembles in venues across the UK. She most recently performed in a saxophone duo with Lucinda Dunne at Croydon Minster. Lydia is also a dedicated teacher, having taught piano lessons for 10 years. She currently teaches and accompanies at a school in Ealing. After a short absence from EJMS, Lydia rejoined the EJMS Staff in September 2023.
Matthew Hough
Accompaniment TeacherMatthew pursues a career as an accompanist and soloist, piano teacher, singing coach and choral conductor. He took his Diploma in Piano Performance prior to reading Classics at Cambridge University.
In addition to working as an accompanist at Ealing Junior Music School (EJMS), Matthew has various roles with the Addison Singers, as Deputy Music Director, Director of the Jazz Ensemble, accompanist (Oratorio and Jazz choirs) and soloist. His other appointments include accompanist for singing classes at the City Literary Institute, and also for residential courses, including events for Suzuki string players.
Matthew was formerly Director of the Saint Martin Singers, an a capella group, based at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square. His recital work includes concerts with Covent Garden principals (Chris Maltman and Quentin Hayes), and performing as a concert pianist onboard the cruise ship, QE2.
Olivia Duque
Aural TeacherI trained at the Royal College of Music (1997-2001) and Trinity Laban Music College (2007) as an oboist, and since then worked with several orchestras, both in the UK and touring America, Europe and Southeast Asia, as well as playing with the Yucatan Symphony orchestra in Mexico. My performing work has included both classical and pop genres, and I currently enjoy making my own music, and have released an EP, ‘Sunrise’ (2023), with another to follow soon!
I have been teaching both piano and oboe throughout my career, and currently teach at Twyford, St Benedict’s and Kew House schools, as well as deputising at the Junior Royal College of Music. In 2015 I trained as an ABRSM examiner; I have worked abroad in this capacity in Malaysia and Hong Kong and currently examine in the UK sessions as well as for the Performance Grade (online) exams. I greatly enjoy supporting and guiding young musicians, and my experience as an examiner has further informed my teaching when helping students through exams, including teaching the Aural lessons at EJMS. I love being able to focus on these essential skills and help students build their confidence and abilities.
I have also trained as an Alexander Technique teacher (2022), which I first developed an interest in whilst training at music college. This has been a constant support throughout my own musical development, and often informs and underlies a lot of my teaching style and ideas in music lessons..
Walid El Yafi
Accompaniment TeacherWalid was born in Middlesbrough and moved to Manchester to study at Chethams’ School of Music. He then went on to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London where he obtained his BMus hons and MMus in Piano Performance.
Walid won many awards in both national and international competitions, appeared as a soloist with orchestras including the Manchester Camerata and has performed in various solo and chamber festivals throughout Europe. Walid has adjudicated piano competitions and many of his students have won prizes and scholarships for musical education.
Currently an accompanist at EJMS, Walid also works as part of the Twyford CofE Academies Trust whilst maintaining an active performing career.
Charles Economou
Aural TeacherI started learning music at the age of seven as a pupil at EJMS. After trying the violin for a year, I switched to the clarinet and appreciated all the opportunities for chamber and orchestral playing that EJMS offered. At the same time I was learning the piano privately and one of my teachers was Dawn Faure whom many current EJMS pupils will still remember as one of our accompanists who retired only recently.
On leaving school I went to Cambridge to read Mathematics but carried on giving concerts on the piano and playing a lot of chamber music, while my clarinet playing fell by the wayside for lack of time. After finishing my degree I decided to pursue music professionally. I have since done a lot of performing, both solo and accompanying, especially of singers. I’m also interested in composing, and in 2012 I wrote a piece for my friend the violinist Hugo Ticciati which we performed together in Stockholm and Amsterdam, the latter being broadcast on Dutch classical radio.
I started teaching the piano shortly after embarking on my musical career, and in 2006 I returned to EJMS as an Aural teacher and was pleased to ‘return to my roots’ so to speak and have the chance to help along the next generation of musicians.
Jozef Janik
AccompanistJozef is currently unable to taech at EJMS due to pressing other commitments. We hope he may be able to re-join us at a future date.
Jozef Joined EJMS in September 2021 as Maternity Leave cover and was subsequently made permanent. Josef continues:
I grew up in Slovakia and moved to London in 2000 to attend the Royal Academy of Music taking a Post Grad. and a Masters in piano and studying with Patsy Toh and Graeme Humphrey. I have also studied violin and composition – but violin was NOT my instrument!
I am sought after as a soloist, an accompanist, an educator and a choir director. I work with a wide range of musicians and span both Classical and Jazz idioms; hence you can see me conducting Vivaldi’s Gloria one day and playing jazz at The Vortex the very next day – it’s hectic so keep a look out!
I live in Ealing and perform locally at St. Mary’s Perivale, at the Ealing Half Marathon or Ealing jazz festival. I also organise concerts and workshops locally as I love being an educator. I currently teach students at both Notting Hill and Ealing High School and St. Benedict’s School, and privately around my area of Pitshanger Lane.
I have given concerts in Austria, Sweden, France, Japan, Tunisia and Norwich, and have performed piano concertos by Mozart, Haydn, Rachmaninoff, Ravel, Schumann and Bach. My upcoming concerts and projects include Schubert’s Die schöne Müllerin – a feast for your ears AND eyes!
Non-musical interests include playing chess, watching TED talks, and tiding up after my 5year old son. I am very excited to be joining EJMS team this year!
Additional Ensemble Leaders
John Hudson
Adult ChoraleJohn Hudson has sung in church choirs from the age of 5. He learned the piano from age 7 and occasionally played the organ for church services. He went on to study music at the London College of Music in Great Marlborough Street, London, majoring on piano under Dr W R Pasfield and organ under Gordon Phillips, organist of All Hallows by the Tower.
John has run church choirs in both London and his native North East. He currently sings tenor in two local church choirs and with the RSCM Residentiary Choir in Cathedrals across England. He has recently taken on the role of guest conductor of the Brentham Ladies Choir. John has directed the Adult Chorale since 2009, increasing membership from some eight adults to over 35. He has given choir members the opportunity to sing at prestigious locations such as the Royal Albert Hall and St Paul’s Cathedral. The choir have also appeared on BBC Radio 3.
John is also the Chair of Trustees.
Administration
Janine Neye
General AdministratorJanine joined the EJMS family in April 2009 after spending over twenty years as an events organiser on the Jazz music circuit. She decided to combine her love of live music and organisational skills to take on the role of General Administrator.
Janine is responsible for the day to day running of the school, this includes timetabling students lessons, ensembles, choirs, ABRSM examinations/accompaniment/aural timetables, helps co-ordinate the Concerts, Recitals, Come & Play Days and whatever else EJMS is involved with.
Her youngest son who joined an EJMS Musicianship class at age 4 is now a 15 year old grade 8 drummer who can also play tuned percussion, so Janine has witnessed first hand the benefits this has afforded not just him but the many hundreds of children who have passed through the EJMS doors.
Janine says,
‘What I love about Ejams is the wonderful atmosphere. We have over 400 children who are exclusively here to enjoy music, their parents help run the Cafe and the whole EJMS ethos is that the moment a child is working comfortably at grade 1 level on any Orchestral instrument, there is an Ensemble/Orchestra they can join. No auditions just total inclusiveness. It really is a wonderful place to work.”
Outside of EJMS Janine still organises one-off live Jazz/dance music events/festivals, and is also a parent governor at a local high school.
Aurélia Brambley
Finance AdministratorI have been a parent at EJMS since April 2010, when my eldest child started Musicianship classes, just a month shy of his 6th birthday. Since then, Saturday mornings have been a highlight of our family’s week. It has been a joy watching our children grow on their musical journey, one fan of Rock & Roll (guitar and drums), the other, more in the Baroque & Roll register (cello). Both of them have had the opportunity to develop their skills as musicians and most importantly, have played in ensembles and orchestras where they have covered thrilling repertoire and further honed their skills.
Besides the music which has been wonderful from my children’s perspective, I have met great people at EJMS (including the terrific teachers!) and have very much enjoyed the social aspect of my Saturdays: the warm community, the chats in the café and even the singing in the Adult Chorale!
When the opportunity came up, I applied for the role of Finance Administrator in a heartbeat and was delighted to become a cog in the EJMS machine in December 2017. I have a Business Degree and postgraduate qualifications in International Trade. The skills I use the most in my job are my Database and Excel skills (I do like a nice Pivot Table). But this is all child’s play compared to my colleague Janine’s timetabling jigsaw puzzle!
Asma Brice
Accounts AdministratorAsma Brice MA (Cantab) is a qualified accountant (ACA) having previously worked in audit and assurance at for a leading global firm. She is currently responsible for the payroll and accounts for the music school.
Asma is a local mum whose children have attended EJMS since 2012. Her son is a percussionist for the Ealing Youth Orchestra and her daughter is a keen bassoon player.
As a mum of two budding musicians she is a firm believer in the positive effects of learning and playing music from a young age and has seen her children grow in confidence, independence and resilience during their time at EJMS. Asma is present at EJMS every Saturday with her children so has very much been part of the EJMS family for many years.
Claire Taylor
Front Desk AssistantI have been an EJMS parent for 10 years now and spent many many hours in the Cafe. So when the opportunity came up to take over on the Front Desk from the lovely Amanda, I was more than happy to learn the ropes from the ‘other side’ ! I love the EJMS ethos and enjoy spending my Saturday mornings with the fabulous Front Desk Team.
I also benefited from playing the violin in orchestras in similar organisations as EJMS when growing up, so I am delighted that 2 of my 3 children are also enjoying the same opportunities. I an previous life I worked in Immigration Courts for the Home Office and since having children have been PTA Chair, done lots of volunteering at school and church, and also worked at a pre-school playgroup.
Stephanie Radet-Kirby
Front Desk AssistantStephanie started working as a Front Desk Assistant on Saturday mornings in 2015. As an EJMS parent of 11 years, she is also involved with the EJMS Parents’ Association – The Friends of EJMS – and has been its Treasurer for four years. Her experience as a long-term EJMS parent has proved invaluable for working at the EJMS Front Desk and helping other parents navigate the EJMS’s ‘ocean of opportunities’. She loves being part of the EJMS community which brings Ealing children from varied backgrounds, nationalities and schooling environments together, through their common interest in music.
Stephanie is originally from France and has been a Londoner for 28 years – Actonian for 22. She enjoys contributing to the Acton parent community: previously, she was chairperson and secretary of her children’s primary school’s PTA as well as parent governor in her children’s local comprehensive secondary school.
During the week Stephanie is a French tutor and peripatetic French teacher in local schools. She is also currently studying part time for an MA in Applied Linguistics at Kingston University. Stephanie’s main passion is languages and she feels that one of her favourite quotes – “One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.” (Frank Smith, psycholinguist) – is a fitting analogy for both the acquisition of foreign languages and learning to play music.
Rob Walters
HONORARY ASSISTANT SECRETARYRob was encouraged by his family to volunteer with the EJMS cafe upon re-opening when EJMS returned to Twyford in 2021 after lockdown and has continued to turn up ever since assisting with setting up in the morning, clearing away at the end of the day as well as covering cafe shifts where needed.
When not serving coffee, selling sweets or tidying away on a Saturday morning at EJMS Rob manages the IT Service Desk at Russell Group University and consequently assists with EJMS IT where required.
Rob is not a musician himself. However, he had the opportunity to attend guitar and organ lessons growing up in Australia and strongly believes in volunteering with EJMS as it offers so many opportunities to children who live in Ealing and is also personally fulfilling.
Emily Orley
Honorary Assistant SecretaryEmily is a local mum and her two children have been attending EJMS since 2017. Delighted by the friendly and informal atmosphere and sense of community she found there every Saturday morning, she was happy to join the Friends of EJMS early on and help at the volunteer-run cafe. Since 2022, she has been helping to organise the rota for the cafe and encourage other parents to get involved and help-out when they can.
She is a researcher, artist and educator and currently teaches MA and PhD students at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Kathryn Robinson
Exam InvigilatorMy family first engaged with EJMS in 2002 when my husband and I brought our daughter, then aged seven, to play her violin with the junior orchestra. She and we, were so taken with the spirit and quality of EJMS that it was immediately apparent how we were going to spend Saturday mornings from then on in. Music became our daughters first love and she took up piano and recorder, sang in the EJMS choirs, passed theory and practical exams, and we watched with pride when she played first violin at her final EJMS concerts. My husband ran the café and became The Friend’s Treasurer and I helped in administration. Over the years EJMS has been a hugely rewarding and enjoyable part of our lives.
I became the exam invigilator in 2006. I know I have the nicest job at EJMS. My key role is to instil a sense of calm as the students go into the exam room. This is never difficult as everybody else has done all the hard work, the supportive parents, the virtuoso music teachers, the accomplished accompanists and Janine the wizardly administrator who works out the devilishly difficult timetable and of course most importantly the students themselves, who I know will all have honed their pieces to perfection in readiness for the examiner.
In my other life I am a Chartered Town Planner MRTPI, with expertise in Listed Buildings and Conservation and have overseen major projects in many iconic buildings including the V&A, The Chelsea Hospital and the Richmond Theatre. I am also a student again, at Oxford University studying for a degree in History of Art. I remain enthused by the dedication of staff and students at EJMS and feel privileged to play a very small part in their achievements.