Ben George
Teacher of French Horn
Ben studied the French horn at the Birmingham Conservatoire, graduating in 2008. During his time at the Conservatoire, he was fortunate enough to study under a number of fabulous French horn players including Peter Dyson (CBSO), Elspeth Dutch (CBSO) and Simon de Souza (Chaconne Brass). During his four years at the Conservatoire, Ben represented the college in a number of recitals, as well as performing in all of the major orchestral and chamber ensembles. During this time Ben was also a member of the CBSO Youth Orchestra.
After graduating, Ben completed a PGCE Music Teaching qualification at Birmingham City University, before entering into full-time peripatetic music education. Ben now teaches a substantial number of brass and French horn players across the Midlands.
As a performer, Ben plays regularly with the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as with other local orchestral and chamber groups.
Sally Griffiths
Teacher of Oboe, Cor Anglais and Recorder
Sally studied oboe at the Welsh College of Music and Drama, graduating with BA in music in 2001 and then with a PGDip in 2002. She worked with Arts in Education between 2002 and 2012 before becoming a self employed woodwind teacher, joining the Foundation in 2015. She has enjoyed teaching oboe, cor anglais and recorder students here since then.
Outside of teaching Sally plays oboe and cor anglais with several local orchestras.
Yvonne McIlwaine
Teacher of Flute
After studying music performance (flute) at the University of Huddersfield, Yvonne moved to the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire for her postgraduate study.
Since graduating, Yvonne has been in regular demand as a performer and has played with many orchestras and chamber ensembles alongside giving solo recitals. She has also recorded various projects for radio, television and film, working closely with composers such as Neil Stemp, Vincent Watts and Michael Price.
In addition to her work as a performer, Yvonne has gained a reputation as a prominent flute teacher through her work at independent schools and the Junior Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, her leadership of masterclasses and workshops both nationally and internationally and her involvement in educational outreach programmes with chamber groups and professional orchestras.
In teaching, Yvonne aims to provide a creative and encouraging lesson structure where each student is encouraged to discover their individual musical styles.
Steve Morris
Teacher of Clarinet and Saxophone
Steve studied saxophone and clarinet at the Birmingham Conservatoire and then subsequently at the Royal College of Music before starting a varied performing and teaching career.
He has performed and recorded with many of the orchestras in the UK including the BBC Orchestras, London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Opera House. Whilst performing with these orchestras, Steve has worked with conductors such as Kurt Masur, Vladimir Jurowski, and Charles Dutoit as well as more mainstream artists such as Mark Ronson, David Gray, Lily Allen and Elbow. Television work includes music for various David Attenborough documentaries and the Sports Personality of the Year.
Alongside a full roster of performing work, Steve also enjoys a busy teaching career, teaching both clarinet and saxophone to grade 8 and beyond.
Matt Newnham
Teacher of Drum Kit
Matt graduated from Dartington College of Arts in 2001 and has become one of the first call drummers for Soul artists in the UK. He has been the engine room and backing singer for Jimmy James and the Vagabonds since 2003, the band leader for the 60’s American girl group ‘The Flirtations’ and toured theatres around the UK with the Soul review show ‘Soul Explosion’ backing acts like ‘Clem Curtis and The Foundations’.
As well as his soul work, Matt has also performed in a variety of settings such as at an ‘Audience with Michael Jackson’, headlining Party in the Park, touring Sweden with the Kursaal, performing at Latitude festival, touring across Poland with Jake and Elwood and the Black Rhino Band and performing across Europe with many other acts.
Alongside this heavy performance workload, Matt is the Percussion Team Leader for Leicestershire Music and teaches drum kit at Loughborough Schools Foundation.
Kieran O'Riordan
Teacher of Percussion
Born in London and brought up in Hertfordshire, where he played percussion in every available ensemble, Kieran went on to study music at the University of Nottingham. Having graduated in 1992, Kieran developed a dual career as percussionist and conductor. He founded the University of Nottingham Wind Orchestra and remained as its conductor until 2013. Kieran also conducted the University of Leicester Wind Band from 1995 to 2002, and was the Music Director of the East Midlands COMA (Contemporary Music for All) Ensemble from 2000 until 2017.
In 2001 Kieran joined the Leicestershire Schools Music Service as a percussion tutor and remained there until 2012.
He currently combines percussion teaching posts at the Loughborough Schools Foundation and other Leicestershire schools with a busy playing career performing with orchestras, bands and ensembles across the East Midlands.
Jo Preston
Teacher of Flute
Born and raised in Leicestershire, Joanna began her studies on the Flute with Jenny Brooks and Leicestershire Arts in Education. Joanna continued at the Birmingham Conservatoire for her honors degree and Advanced PGDip Music (Professional Performance). She studied with Jonathan Rimmer, Judith Hall and Colin Lilley and received the Principal’s Prize for Outstanding Contribution. Joanna also won awards from the Sylvia Cleaver Chamber Music Prize, Woolfsen Trust and Tillet Trust Foundation alongside being awarded a Silver Medal from the Worshipful Company of Musicians.
Joanna is in regular demand as a freelance orchestral player. She has most recently performed as Principal Flute with the London Concert Orchestra, Orchestra da Camera and the National Festival Orchestra. Joanna is a member of Trio Capriccio who perform nationally and have given a recital for a live BBC broadcast. She has also enjoyed touring the USA and Scandinavia. As a soloist, she has performed the Liebermann Flute Concerto and Mozart’s Concerto in G with orchestra.
Joanna’s portfolio of work also includes a demanding teaching schedule at the Birmingham Conservatoire Junior Department, the Loughborough Schools Foundation, and other Independent schools.
Adam Rutter
Teacher of Trombone, Tuba, Euphonium
Adam began his brass playing aged 11 in the Kirkbymoorside Town Brass Band, moving on to the euphonium aged 13. On the euphonium, Adam won numerous competitions and awards during his early career, including the prestigious Junior Euphonium Champion of the World competition. He earned a place in the National Youth Brass Band whilst studying with Dr Robert Childs and whilst he studied for his GCSE and A level music qualifications.
Adam went on to study a Batchelor of Music and a Master of the Arts degree at Huddersfield University, where he was Principal Euphonium of both the Brass Band and Wind Orchestra, and featured soloist at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.
During this time Adam performed with many of the countries top brass bands, and had the opportunity to perform in Birmingham Symphony Hall and the London Albert Hall.
Upon graduating, Adam took up a position as a peripatetic brass teacher in 2003 in Derbyshire and has held that position to date, whilst also tutoring at Loughborough Schools Foundation.
Adam also performs on euphonium and trombone with numerous local ensembles as well as conducting in both educational and professional settings.
Bill Singh
Teacher of Tabla, Harmonium and Vocal
Mr Singh is one of the finest tabla exponents in the UK. He is one of the few artists who is recognised for being a prolific soloist as well as a versatile accompanist. He has a scholastic and well-grounded teaching background which spans over fifteen years. Mr Singh is currently teaching Indian Music for the Loughborough Schools Music
Christina Slominska
Teacher of Orchestral Percussion and Drum Kit
Since graduating in 2011 from The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Christina has pursued a successful freelance career, combining performance and teaching. She has performed with a variety of orchestras, including BBC National Orchestra of Wales, The Royal Northern Sinfonia, Welsh National Opera and The Royal Ballet Sinfonia. Christina has performed at the BBC Proms, played live on radio and television performances and also really enjoys performing with The Novello Orchestra, specialising in film with live orchestra.
Christina is passionate about teaching and teaches a mixture of orchestral percussion and drum kit. She is extremely thorough and tailors all lessons to the individual, aiming to create a relaxed environment where pupils and students can flourish.
Victoria Watson
Teacher of Clarinet and Saxophone
Born in Scotland, Victoria enjoyed her early teenage years with the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra and Edinburgh Jazz Orchestra. She continued her studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama under clarinet and saxophone teachers Robert Plane, John Reynolds, Peter Fielding and Gerrard McChrystal followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Performance. Her time at the RWCMD enabled her to perform all varieties of music with highlights being a wind quintet tour of Wales and a visit to William Walton’s house in Ischia, Italy.
Following graduation Victoria taught for Gwent Music Service and Derbyshire Music Partnership County Bands and Orchestras before joining Loughborough Schools Foundation in 2007.
In addition to her teaching work, Victoria enjoys performing with orchestras and bands at venues across the country and has a love for musical theatre
Rebecca Wong
Teacher of Bassoon and Oboe
Rebecca trained as a classical musician and classroom music teacher in Hong Kong. As the recipient of a Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarship, she pursued further studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, earning her postgraduate diploma in 1999.
Rebecca has worked as a bassoon teacher with Leicester Schools Music service since 1999 and in 2016 joined their programme for the promotion of endangered instruments.
Rebecca also performs regularly with orchestras based in and around Leicester, such as with the Bardi Symphony Orchestra, Knighton Chamber Orchestra and Beauford Wind Quintet.