Rachel Letham

Rachel graduated from Birmingham Conservatoire in 1994 with a BA(Hons) in music majoring in piano and oboe. She then went on to complete a MA in music therapy.

After qualifying as a teacher, she went on to teach for a number of years in a secondary school in York whilst also teaching piano and oboe privately. Rachel then joined the peripatetic music service in York as a woodwind specialist teaching oboe, flute, clarinet and saxophone and now teaches across the city and on a private basis. Rachel also teaches music theory to those pupils wanting to progress past grade 5 on their instruments.

Contact Rachel     (lethamrachel@gmail.com)

Phil Thwaite

Phil has taught acoustic, bass, classical and electric guitar both privately and at schools in and around York for over 20 years.

He is experienced in preparing students for graded examinations, GCSE, A level and degree performances.

Lessons are typically a blend of technique and performance practice, taking into account students' personal goals and interests.

In addition to teaching, Phil is also a gigging musician who has performed as a soloist for recitals and weddings, as well as playing in pit bands at the York Theatre Royal and Joseph Rowntree Theatre. Phil also writes his own music, and loves to arrange and publish material.

Contact Phil   (philth)waite@gmail.com)

Connor McLean

Since graduated with an MA in Music from the University of York in 2018, Connor has been teaching brass and working as a freelance trumpeter.

As a performer, he has played at a variety of venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall and York Minster. His most recent festival performances have been with the New York Brass Band at Glastonbury (2019) and Rio Carnival (2020) . Connor also plays in pit orchestras and bands for musical theatre, and is the founder of the York Brass Quintet.

Contact Connor   (connormcleantrumpet@gmail.com)

Catherine Strachan

Catherine Strachan grew up in Aberdeen, where she benefited from a superb start to her musical education thanks to the local authority music service and local youth orchestras. Catherine studied modern and baroque cello performance with Myra Chahin and Alison McGillivray at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (formerly RSAMD), and followed this with an MA in baroque performance practice at the University of York.

Catherine is now based in York, where she enjoys a varied career as a freelance cellist and string teacher. She is the cello tutor at York Music Centre and performs regularly with various local ensembles including Otley Baroque, Leeds Baroque and York Guildhall Orchestra. She also recently performed the Beethoven Triple Concerto with Thirsk Sinfonia and will be playing it again with Banbury Symphony Orchestra in May 2023.

Other upcoming projects for 2023 include cello recitals in Aberdeen, York and Boston Spa. Catherine will also be the baroque cello tutor at HISS (Historically Informed Summer School) in Beverley in August 2023.

Contact Catherine   (catherinestrachan@gmail.com)

Joe Brooks

Joe graduated from Leeds Beckett University with a first class honours degree in Music Production and Performance in 2017, and since then he has been working across the music sector in many different areas.

Specialising in drum kit tuition, Joe has taught in both primary and secondary schools regularly since 2017 and prides himself on his friendly, relaxed approach to teaching, whilst also having a deep passion for the musical and creative development of young people.

Other areas of expertise include composition & songwriting, music production & audio engineering, DJing and ensemble/workshop leading.

Contact Joe   (joebrooksmusician@gmail.com)

Sarah Loughran

Sarah Loughran, a York-based violinist, has been teaching the violin since 2010 and is an accomplished gigging musician. She is passionate about teaching and guiding children to success in their music exams.  Alongside teaching, Sarah conducts York Intermediate String Orchestra, as well as setting up and running York's Junior and Senior folk ensembles, Folkestra. 

Sarah is a qualified teacher and on the City of York Council’s Approved Teacher List.

Contact Sarah   (s.c.loughran@googlemail.com)

Buffy Breakwell

Buffy is an experienced instrumental teacher and classroom practitioner. She has successfully tutored students through hundreds of music exams,  from pre-Grade 1 to Grade 8 and beyond, in piano and woodwind, both in the UK and abroad.

As well as instrumental lessons, Buffy has 25 years' experience in Music Education, having trained at the Universities of Sussex and Cambridge. She has taught piano to students throughout this time, as well as delivering curriculum Music in both primary and secondary schools.

Buffy also works as a community musician in York, leading choirs and workshops for all ages and abilities.

Buffy is on the City of York Council’s Approved Teacher List.

Contact Buffy   (buffy9@nora.clara.co.uk)

Katie Billes

Katie is an experienced singing teacher, choir leader, songwriter and performer who loves helping people find confidence in their voices and creativity. After graduating from Leeds Conservatoire with a degree in Songwriting she has built a career entirely in music.

Through regularly teaching choirs, giving one-to-one voice lessons and facilitating songwriting sessions she creates fun, supportive environments where every student can develop their vocal ability, confidence and performance skills.

Katie has experience working with 'Stagecoach Performing Arts' teaching children and young performers, as well as working as a songwriter/facilitator at ‘The Swan Song Project’ and directing several choirs under the 'Love Pop Choir' branch. She is currently a member of LC Pop Choir, who have featured on 'Britain’s Got Talent', performed at the Royal Albert Hall, and appeared on Channel 4’s 'Steph’s Packed Lunch'.

Alongside teaching, Katie is an established independent artist who writes, records and performs her own original music, regularly gigging and developing her own artistry. Katie has received several radio plays and has been lauded by the likes of BBC Radio Scotland; "her beautiful voice, her writing, her playing... the quality and whole production value is just beautiful...to be able to communicate in a way that is accessible to other people... chimed so many bells with me. Listeners are offered a sense of reflection with Katie's storytelling, honest lyricism and evocative melody lines.”

Katie’s experience as both a teacher and working musician gives her students an insight into not only developing their voice, but also musicianship, performance and the confidence needed to share music with others. She is passionate about making music accessible and enjoyable whilst helping students of all ages discover their voice and develop their creativity.

Contact Katie (kbillesssinging@gmail.com)

Charlie Gower-Smith  

Charlie Gower-Smith is a singer and conductor. He works with choirs and orchestras at all levels, in demand for his warmth and supportive approach whilst demanding precision and excellence. He is Musical Director of Jervaulx Singers and the Chapter House Youth Choir. 

Jervaulx Singers are a leading vocal ensemble based in North Yorkshire and perform across the UK whilst the Chapter House Youth Choir, under Charlie's leadership, has established itself as the go-to group in York for the city’s most able young singers to be stretched and challenged. 

When not making music, Charlie can be found cooking with his daughters or avidly cleaning his car. 

Contact Charlie (info@charliegowersmith.com)

Mark Currey

Mark first started playing classical guitar at the age of ten and later studied music at the University of Birmingham.

He has been a guitar teacher, conductor and composer based in York since 1996. His books for younger guitarists include Beyond Orange and Hunting the Purple Buffalo.

Contact Mark   (purplebuffalomusic@gmail.com)