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Meet the Team
Amy
She/Her
Piano/Keyboard, Voice, Violin, Guitar
My musical journey kicked off at the age of five with tiny violin in hand, later adding piano and singing to the mix. From school days filled with choir harmonies, barbershop quartets, orchestras, and bands, music was always my favourite subject!
While at university, I shared my love for music by teaching keyboard lessons at a local primary school and offering private piano and violin instruction. But my musical escapades didn’t stop there—I also spent a few years as a wedding DJ, spinning tunes and creating unforgettable dance-floor moments for happy couples and their guests.
One of the most rewarding experiences was helping young composers bring their musical ideas to life in a primary school composition class, guiding them as they wrote and recorded their own songs.
Now, I’m excited to pass this passion on to the next generation—helping kids discover, explore, and fall in love with the magic of music!
Ruth
She/Her
Piano/Keyboard, Guitar, Flute, Tin Whistle, Irish Flute, Piano Accordion
Music has always been at the heart of my life. I started piano lessons when I was six, and by my teens, I was picking up all sorts of instruments—flute, guitar, bass, and more. I was involved in orchestras, bands, choirs, musicals, and even a barbershop quartet! At 17, I started teaching keyboard at a local music school.
I studied music and psychology at university, which eventually led me to earn masters degrees in music therapy and educational psychology. Over the years, I’ve worked as both a music therapist and a psychologist, helping kids with their learning and behaviour.
Along the way, I’ve kept teaching music, always making lessons fun and interactive. I believe in letting students take the lead, whether they want to play Taylor Swift or tackle a Tchaikovsky piece.
As I got older, I fell in love with Irish traditional music. I taught myself the tin whistle, Irish flute, and piano accordion, and have since performed at pub sessions, concerts, and ceilidh dances. These days, you’ll probably catch me playing in one of those lively settings.
Now that I’m a mum to two boys, I’m even more passionate about sharing the joy of music with kids—and I hope to inspire the same love for music in others!
Ben
He/Him
Guitar/Drums/Bass Guitar
Ben is a classically trained musician and songwriter with a passion for sharing the joy of music. Skilled in guitar, piano/keyboards, and bass, Ben brings a diverse range of musical talents to every lesson. With a love for teaching music and a knack for songwriting, Ben is dedicated to nurturing young talent and watching students light up when they ‘get it’. Ready to inspire the next generation of musicians.
My music journey started under the tutelage of nuns. Although sometimes the lessons were hard, they gave me a good foundation and in hindsight demonstrated what I believe is key to learning music. That is, lessons should foster laying down the groundwork of music but more importantly they should be fun.
My older brother also played a big part in my formative years. He was a key writer in the band The Exponents when they wrote the kiwi anthem ‘Why does love do this to me’ and is recognised by the band on the album. My brother introduced me to different genres of music which broadened my understanding and interests in all styles of music.
Rachel
She/Her
Folk and contemporary violin
My earliest memories of music are as a small child, falling asleep on a sheepskin beside bands playing for folk dancing. I took up the recorder at the age of four, and from the outset I had the opportunity to join in with others. I wanted to play the violin because my grandmother and uncle did, and when I was eight, my parents relented and I started violin lessons. My first violin teacher was a terrifyingly strict Russian violist who played in the local Philharmonia. I changed to a teacher who was kinder but still told me off for tapping my foot. As a teenager, I leapt at the opportunity to start lessons in Scottish fiddle and apply the foundations I had gained in Classical Violin to music that made my heart sing and let me find my groove as a player.
Once I left school, my journey with formal music tuition ended but I have been driven to find ways to continue to learn and grow in my playing through festivals, workshops, and fiddle camps. These opportunities have made me many friends and taken me around the world – to Ireland, Scotland, and Sweden. My love of fiddle music is diverse, and I have experience in a range of folk idioms: Scottish, Irish, Americana/Old-time/Bluegrass, Scandinavian, and singer-songwriter. I have performed at festivals and folk clubs around the country as part of bands and larger ensembles. I also play for ceilidh dancing – for both weddings and community events – and at sessions and fireside jams.
As a teacher, I encourage students to build a positive and enjoyable relationship with their instrument, incorporating games to support ear training, solid rhythm and improvisation as well as laying the foundations for playing posture and technique. I support students to love making music so that it can be a part of their journey for years to come. At the moment, I am enjoying fostering curiosity and exploration in music with my toddler.
