Meet the Music Faculty (ID 1317)

• Dr Anna van Veldhuisen
  Director of Music
  Dr Anna van Veldhuisen

  BMus Performance – The University of Melbourne (Victorian College of the Arts).

  Grad. Dip. Education – Deakin University.

  Master of Education – The University of Melbourne.

  Doctor of Education – The University of Melbourne.

  I joined Hatcham College in March 2024, having relocated from Melbourne (Australia) to the UK. I trained at university as a classical percussionist, but since that time have fallen in love with classroom music teaching and choral singing/conducting. In Australia, I taught secondary music for 12 years in some very different contexts; in state, alternative, and independent schools with diverse music programs and students, and in both city and regional areas. I’m particularly passionate about centring music by composers of cultural and ethnic minorities and celebrating women composers in the curriculum, and exploring aural skills and composition practically in the classroom. I am also an education researcher in the field of music education, and in late 2023, I submitted my doctoral thesis to the University of Melbourne, exploring the professional lives of Australian music teachers. This research work has had me presenting regularly at conferences like the International Society for Music Education. In my spare time, I enjoy playing board games, reading, travelling broadly, and attending live music and theatre. I am excited to now be leading the faculty at Hatcham, where music forms a cultural heart of the school and our specialism welcomes gifted musicians from the local area. I’m looking forward to exploring all the musical opportunities SE London has to offer!

• Mr Jason Taing
  Head of Music 2iC
  Mr Jason Taing

  MusB (Hons) in Music - The University of Manchester.

  PGCE in Music with Specialist Instrumental Teaching - Manchester Metropolitan University and Royal Northern College of Music.

  LTCL (Distinction) in Piano Performance - Trinity College London.

  NPQLT - Institute of Education, University College London.

  I joined Hatcham College in September 2023, and I am proud of our music specialism and the support and focus for music across the whole school. I have always been a keen musician, regularly conducting orchestras and choirs and performing on the piano. I have taught in schools and music institutions in Manchester, Kent, South London and Central London, and most recently was Deputy Head of Music at an all-through school with music specialism. I am currently completing the National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership (NPQSL) at UCL The Institute of Education and a Music Education MA at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Outside from school, I am an Examiner for Cambridge International Education, Eduqas and Pearson, Founder and Artistic Director of the Brixton Concert Series and am a Mentor for Black Lives in Music.
  

  In my spare time, I enjoy going to see live music and theatre, and enjoy travelling. I also enjoy reading the latest ideas in Teaching and Learning and music updates to help support the curriculum, alongside reading non-fiction.

• Miss Issy McMichael
  Head of Music 2iC
  Miss Issy McMichael

  BA (Hons) in Music - The University of Southampton.

  PGCE in Music - UCL Institute of Education.

  I’m Miss McMichael, Head of Music 2iC at Hatcham College and teach across KS3, 4 & 5.

  Before teacher training, I studied a bachelor's degree in music at The University of Southampton specialising in classical and Jazz voice performance. My dissertation centred around children's identity in music pedagogy leading to my PGCE in secondary music at UCL’s Institute of Education.

  My love for music stemmed from my own schooling, where I first joined my school’s Chamber Choir. Since then, I have performed with choirs and jazz ensembles noticeably at Montreux Jazz Festival, Turner Sims Concert Hall and Greenwich Royal Naval College Chapel. I also love playing the piano and since joining Hatcham I’ve been inspired by our own Band Project to pick up the bass guitar and drum kit (and no it’s never too late!).

• Miss Jenetta Hurst
  Teacher of Music and Associate Assistant Principal
  Miss Jenetta Hurst

  MA (Leadership) - UCL Institute of Education

  PGCE Secondary Music - Birmingham City University

  BMus (Hons) - The Birmingham Conservatoire

  HonBC - The Birmingham Conservatoire

  NPQLTD.

  I am a flautist by training and play a range of instruments. I joined Hatcham College in my 17th year of classroom music teaching and leadership, and started my career as instrumental teacher and ensemble leader, for Birmingham Music Service and Aston Performing Arts Academy.

  I directed the Aston Performing Arts Inner City Orchestra, working side by side annually with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) over a ten-year period and am an Honorary Member of the Birmingham Conservatoire.

  I have long held a keen interest in continual professional development, have written for and appeared on Podcasts for publications such as SecEd and Music Teacher Magazine, and work at Hatcham as the Associate Assistant Principal for Staff Development.

• Mr John Human
  Instrumental Music Coordinator and Teacher of Piano and Oboe
  Mr John Human

  BA (Hons) in Music - The University of Sussex, Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

  MA Language, Art and Education - The University of Sussex.

  I am a pianist of Indian heritage with a passion for exploring the extraordinarily diverse capabilities of the instrument, playing the standard classical repertoire as well as improvised genres. I was drawn to the piano as a child having heard Ashkenazy playing Rachmaninov and Oscar Peterson playing C-jam blues and realising that the journey towards mastering the instrument would never be accomplished but would always stimulate and engage me. As a teacher I seek to instil this sense of constant development, alongside creativity and technical discipline in my pupils.

  I have examined for 20 years, A-Level Performance for OCR and for Trinity College of Music assessing on both Classical and Jazz, and Rock and Pop panels throughout the world. I have worked on syllabus development and as a composer and arranger I currently have 7 pieces included in the new Trinity Piano Exam syllabus. I am also the Pianist for the fusion group Electric Alchemy.

  I have taught at Haberdasher’s since 2018, and became Instrumental Music Coordinator in 2023, working to cement and enhance the rich musical specialism legacy of the school. I have had 3 children attend the school, and in my spare time enjoy attending live music events, travelling and following Arsenal FC.

• Miss Catriona Bourne
  Teacher of Music, Band Leader and Teacher of Flute, Piano and Harp
  Miss Catriona Bourne

  BA (Hons) in Music – The University of Oxford.

  PGCE and MEd in Music – The University of Cambridge.

  I am a professional flautist, specialising in both contemporary and Baroque music. While at school I was a UK Finalist in the Rotary Young Musician of the Year Competition, and went on to receive an Ensemble Isis Scholarship from Oxford and Instrumental Award from Cambridge. I have performed as a concerto soloist on multiple occasions, including with Cambridge University Symphony Orchestra in March 2019, and has been a winner and finalist in competitions including the Harold Clarke competition and Carne Chamber Competition.

  I also write musical compositions for my electroacoustic harp in a jazz-folk fusion style, and lead my own band, playing in London Jazz Festival and soon releasing an EP. I am also a Choral Scholar at the Old Royal Naval College and freelance as a singer around London. I have taught previously at secondary schools in Cambridge and Sydney, Australia, in addition to acting as musical director for school productions and directing choirs.

• Miss Jessica Berry
  Teacher of Music (ITT), Band Leader and Teacher of Piano
  Miss Jessica Berry

  BMus (Hons) in Music - Royal Holloway, University of London.

  MMus in Music Performance, specialising in Single Reed Theatre Doubling - Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

  My love of music stemmed from my own experiences at school. The music department was the place to be! It was the heart of the school and had a real sense of community. There was a wide range of extra-curricular activities and lots of opportunities to get involved, no matter what your musical interests. These same qualities led me to Hatcham, which fosters a culture of creativity through different avenues of expressions, whether this is through composition and technology, or improvised performance.

  I trained as flautist under Carla Rees during my undergraduate studies, who expanded my understanding of the instrument, opening up previously unexplored aspects, including low flutes. However, the majority of my time was spent in an orchestra pit juggling multiple woodwind instruments and occasionally keys parts within the Musical Theatre Society. The theatre society allowed me to connect my passion for theatre and my musical training.

  Since my undergraduate, I have specialised and broadened my area of study in theatre doubling: performing on multiple wind instruments (flutes, clarinets and saxophones) within one performance. As a result, I have had the pleasure of working with organisations such as the National Youth Musical Theatre group, the Northern Musical Theatre Orchestra, the London Musical Theatre Orchestra and a number of AmDram groups in London, Kent and Essex either for full scale shows or monthly play throughs.

  The appreciation I have found for multiple genres of shows has been beneficial when approaching piano tuition and my work as a band leader, as I am able to offer an extremely student-centred approach to cater for their growing passions and then expand this to wider musical contexts.

• Mr Manuel Filguerias
  Band Leader and Teacher of Drum-Kit
  Mr Manuel Filguerias

  Jazz Instrumentalist (Professional Course Level IV) – Art’J School for The Performing Arts, Portugal.

  BMus (Hons) in Jazz Performance (Drums) - Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

  I started my musical studies at the age of eleven having had over the years direct contact with some of the forefront musicians in today’s Jazz scene including Ulysses Owens Jr., Billy Cobham, and Jorge Rossy. I started my teaching and freelance careers alongside at the age of 18, by the time I was 20 I was teaching at three different schools.

  Since moving to the UK to continue my studies at the Guildhall School I have had the chance to teach various private students as well as playing with some of the best musicians in town like Rachael Cohen, Byron Wallen, and Tom Farmer.

  I have joined Hatcham since the beginning of Spring Term 2024 and I’m delighted with the dedication and enthusiasm of our students. There is a real sense of community at the school and I look forward for the work we will certainly achieve together.

  I am interested in music, cinema, reading and all the things I do on a professional level.

• Mr Sami Andari
  Music Technician
  Mr Sami Andari

  BEng Mechanical Engineering - Queen Mary, University of London.

  In my early teenage years, I would listen to electronic music obsessively and became inspired to start producing myself. I have been a bedroom producer since secondary school and have worked extensively with DAWs such as Logic Pro and Presonus Studio One. Now on my free days I spend my time writing, producing and recording my vocals on alt-pop songs. In 2023 I also spent a number of days in the Platoon 7 studio in Tileyard where I wrote songs with other artists, and I was involved in two showcase events organised by CLOCK Your Skills during which I played piano, guitar and sang some originals.

• Mr Noam Greenberg
  Teacher of Piano
  Mr Noam Greenberg

  MMus Certificate in Performance - Yale University.

  I am a classical concert pianist enjoying a busy career playing both solo and chamber music.

  I have walked the planks of some lovely concert halls including the Wigmore Hall (London), Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Musikverein (Vienna), Konzerthaus (Berlin), Parco della Musica (Rome), Auditorio Nacional (Madrid) and many others.

  As teacher I have led courses and masterclasses in many higher education institutions including the Aldeburgh Festival, Britten-Pears school, Royal Northern College, Guildhall, and several European universities.

  I have three children at Haberdashers’ which led me to be involved in the community and help some young local talent with their music.

• Mr Jack Redman
  Teacher of Piano
  Mr Jack Redman

  MA in Music and LRAM Specialist Instrumental Teaching - Royal Academy of Music.

  GRNCM/MusB (Hons) - Royal Northern College of Music and The University of Manchester.

  FRCO - Royal College of Organists.

  I have been working as a pianist, singer and composer since graduating from the Royal Academy of Music. Most of my work now is as an accompanist of classical music and opera. I was the repetiteur (rehearsal pianist) for Glyndebourne Festival Opera’s recent production of Semele, where I also played harpsichord continuo with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. I have also worked extensively with Lyric Opera Ireland, preparing shows such as Hansel & Gretel, Madama Butterfly and Werther for performances in Dublin’s National Concert Hall. Collaborating and sharing ideas with other musicians is my favourite part of piano playing. My partnerships have led me to performances and participation in competitions both in the UK and abroad, and to recital performances at the Wigmore Hall and the Oxford International Song Festival.

• Miss Evi Wang
  Teacher of Piano
  Miss Evi Wang

  BMus (Hons) - Norwegian Academy of Music.

  MMus - Royal Northern College of Music.

  Artistic Diploma - Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

  As an active contemporary and collaborative pianist, I have made appearances at Wigmore Hall in London, Stoller Hall and Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, and have collaborated with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, The Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, Manchester Camerata, and Arctic Philharmonic.

  I began to play the piano at the age of 4 in Shanghai, moving to Sweden in 2008 to continue my studies. I completed my undergraduate degree at the Norwegian Academy of Music, Master of Music degree at the Royal Northern College of Music and Artist Diploma studies at Trinity Laban Conservatoire.

  I am positively intrigued by the music education in the UK and I believe that having a good teacher is the key to keeping one’s passion alive and developing it at a deeper level.

• Mr Victor Aguirre Minnaro
  Teacher of Piano and Strings
  Mr Victor Aguirre Minnaro

  Bachelor of Arts in Music Education & Instrumental Pedagogy - Mozarteum University - Salzburg, Austria.

  Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Music - Bruckner University of Linz

  Born in Málaga, Spain, I commenced my formal musical training studying and performing in countries such as Austria, Belgium, Germany, England, Italy, France, Morocco, Russia, Norway, India, South Korea, United States and Canada.

  I studied Music Education & Instrumental Pedagogy at the Mozarteum University of Salzburg and Jazz Music at the Bruckner University of Linz, Austria. Health in the professional life of a musician is an important topic, and I have been able to deepen my understanding and training of the Alexander Technique thanks to world-renowned tutors in Hannover and Utrecht.

  Many of the pieces that I perform are my own arrangements, as well as my own original compositions. Improvising, singing and even whistling is possible in my unique concerts where there are no limits. I currently live in London, England, where I work on different musical teaching and performance projects.

• Mr Peter Poole
  Teacher of Violin and Viola
  Mr Peter Poole

  I studied at the London College of Music with Stanton Reese and Eli Goren, leader and founder of the Allegri String Quartet, and aged 19 I was appointed as a member of The London Philharmonic Orchestra. I have also played in the BBC Symphony Orchestra, The Academy of St Martin is the Fields, The Academy of Ancient Music and the Bournemouth Sinfonietta. Over my career I have played with some of the greatest names in Classical music including Benjamin Britten, Aaron Copland, Pierre Boulez, Rostropovich, Solti, Rubinstein, Menuhin, Pavarotti and Stokowski. I have always had great interest in chamber music, playing in ensembles and quartets throughout the country including the Wigmore Hall, and gave the first performance in this country of the Rodrigo Violin Sonata.

  I have also performed for many TV shows and recordings with, among many others, Cliff Richard, The B Gees, The WHO, Tom Jones, Kate Bush, Neil Diamond, Jack Jones, The Carpenters, plus playing in countless film Soundtracks. I have also played in West End shows including ‘Oliver’ at the London Palladium. I have held teaching posts at Bryanston School, Sherborne School and, as well as teaching at Haberdashers Hatcham College, at Ardingly College and on the Guildhall Young Artists programme at CYM, Morley College.

• Mrs Stephanie Stahlmann
  Teacher of Violin
  Mrs Stephanie Stahlmann

  BA (Hons) in Music - The University of Liverpool.

  Associate of Trinity College London - Violin Recital Performance Diploma.

  I joined Haberdashers' Hatcham College as a Violin Teacher in January 2022. I have over 10 years experience of teaching Violin in a variety of educational settings. In addition to working at Hatcham College, I am a freelance Violinist and Violin Teacher. I particularly enjoy playing in educational projects, such as co-leading the Cinematic Syncopations Orchestra, which includes interactive film music concerts for young people.

  I believe that every young person should have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, and try to make learning the violin a possibility for everybody, regardless of background and experience. I have high (and realistic) expectations of my students, and love seeing their hard work and determination pay off. Every young musician is different, and I adjust my teaching style and repertoire to reflect this.

  Outside of school, I enjoy swimming (especially outdoors), exploring Europe, and tackling high ropes obstacle courses.

• Mrs Marianne Rist
  Teacher of Cello
  Mrs Marianne Rist

  Cello and Chamber Music Diploma - Boulogne-Billancourt Conservatoire, France.

  Cello Teaching Diploma - Mozarteum Salzburg, Austria.

  I graduated in Cello and Chamber Music at the Conservatoire Régional de Boulogne-Billancourt, France. I was then awarded an Austrian Government Scholarship to study at Vienna Hochschule für Music with André Navarra and at Salzburg Mozarteum with Heidi Litschauer, where I obtained my Cello Teaching Diploma.

  In England I was a Cello Teacher for the Tower Hamlets Strings Project led by Sheila Nelson, and joined Bromley Youth Music Trust in 2006. I have taught Cello at Hatcham Temple Grove since 2013 and joined Hatcham College in 2016.

  My teaching is inspired by many great teachers of the past and present. I enjoy playing Chamber Music and have played with the Vanbrugh Ensemble since it was created in 2013.

• Ms Lucy Shaw
  Teacher of Double Bass and Bass Guitar
  Ms Lucy Shaw

  BMus (Hons) in Music - Edinburgh University.

  Post Diploma Orchestral Training - Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

  I enjoy teaching both the double bass and bass guitar and I have experience of leading educational projects for Wigmore Hall and various orchestras.

  I am a professional musician playing double bass in orchestras such as Britten Sinfonia and English Chamber Orchestra. As a regular recording artist in Abbey Road Studios I have worked on many films for composers including Hans Zimmer and John Williams, and pop legends Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney. I have played the bass guitar in a variety of projects including touring and recording with Squeeze and shows in the West End.

  I enjoy composing and arranging and am the Musical Director for Curious Families, working in a creative setting to enhance, educate and engage families through music.

• Mr Arthur Bentley
  Teacher of Guitar
  Mr Arthur Bentley

  BRIT School First Diploma in Music - Distinction*.

  Foundation in Performing Arts - University of the Arts London - Foundation.

  BA Honours Animation & Sound - University of the Arts London.

  I initially starting writing songs, composing and playing electric and finger-style acoustic guitar as my primary musical focuses, before learning the saxophone in my early twenties.

  I am currently performing and creating music in a touring band called ‘Teeth Machine’, whilst providing temporary session work with acts such as Woom, Otta & Jamie Isaacs.

  I am also playing clarinet, samplers and synthesisers in a few newer creative projects as a way of trying to explore new musical arenas and sonic experimentations.

• Mr Mihael Majetic
  Teacher of Guitar and Bass Guitar
  Mr Mihael Majetic

  BMus (Hons) in Guitar Performance - Royal Academy of Music.

  MA in Guitar Performance - Royal Academy of Music.

  Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music (LRAM).

  I am a Croatian guitarist and bandleader. I have enjoyed teaching guitar at Hatcham College since Autumn 2021. I have earned my LRAM teaching certificate at the Royal Academy of Music and have since enjoyed sharing my music passion with guitar students. I specialised as a music performer and in my teaching, I aim to draw from these experiences to inspire pupils. I played at Royal Albert Hall, St Martin in the Fields, Kings Place and appeared at BBC Sunday Morning Live and BBC Radio London. Besides teaching and performing on the guitar, I enjoy leading bands and conducting ensembles.

• Miss Bárbara Matos
  Teacher of Guitar
  Miss Bárbara Matos

  BMus (Hons) in Music (Performance) - Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

  MMus in Music (Performance) - Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

  My name is Bárbara and I am a Portuguese classical guitarist! Growing up, I had the chance to try out multiple instruments but ultimately fell in love with the guitar, which led me to move to London in 2017 to continue my studies.

  During my time at Conservatoire, I had the chance to work with some wonderful musicians, and developed a love for chamber music! I was and am a long-time member of a guitar quartet and a guitar duo, and have worked with different instruments. I am passionate about sharing the diversity of the classical guitar in different settings, and look forward to starting to do so with the students at Hatcham College!

• Mr Marek Tymkow
  Teacher of Guitar
  Mr Marek Tymkow

  BA (Hons) Popular and World Musics - The University of Leeds.

  MA Music in Development - SOAS, University of London.

  I am a musician and music tutor based in Brockley, south east London. Primarily a guitar player, I also teach bass guitar and music theory and play drum kit and Cuban percussion. I’ve been tutoring music for over 10 years, beginning in Leeds in 2014 and continuing in London, where I have been teaching privately and at Blackheath Conservatoire since 2017.

  I have performed in blues, country and roots music, to jazz, funk and soul. Whilst studying my undergraduate I played in Indonesian Gamelan and Colombian Cumbia ensembles, and I joined the SOAS Cuban big band whilst studying my masters. I have a great passion for sharing and teaching music as well as collaborating with musicians and artists from different traditions and modalities. I love teaching all ages and abilities, and run monthly jam sessions in Telegraph Hill and Kings Cross to offer students the opportunity to playing in an encouraging environment with professional musicians.

• Ms Kim Reilly
  Teacher of Flute
  Ms Kim Reilly

  BMus (Hons) - Trinity College of Music.

  PGCE in Music - The University of Sussex.

  I've been the flute teacher at Hatcham since 2021 and have been teaching since 2006.

  I studied at the Purcell School, Junior Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Trinity College of Music and The University of Sussex.

  I teach for Bromley Youth Music Trust, James Allen's Saturday School for the Performing Arts, Elmgreen Secondary School and Blackheath Prep School.

  I am a freelance flautist but I also hold the position of Principal flute with the Docklands Sinfonia. Recent engagements include recording sessions at Angel and Air studios, performances and collaborations at the Cadogan Hall, Fairfield Halls, The Barbican, Royal Albert Hall, Buckingham Palace and a UK tour with the band Hawkwind.

• Miss Serena Sheane
  Teacher of Flute and Piano
  Miss Serena Sheane

  BMus (Hons) in Music - Munster Technological University (formerly CIT Cork School of Music).

  Graduate Certificate in Piano Performance - Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

  Postgraduate Certificate in Music Education and Performance - Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

  ATCL (Merit) in Piano Performance - Trinity College London.

  I am an experienced flute and piano teacher who has developed strong reputation for teaching motivational, inspiring and productive lessons in the UK and Ireland. I am excited to teach both instruments in Haberdashers’ Hatcham and am looking forward to enhancing the currency, character and confidence of Key Stage 3 and 4 pupils. I have taught in schools and music institutions across South East London and have coached students towards exams with ABRSM, Trinity and the RIAM (Royal Irish Academy of Music.) Recent courses completed alongside my teaching include Nicola Cantan’s “Creative Kickstart for Teens” and Paul Myatt’s “Whole Body Learning” Programme.

  I enjoy travelling, watching musical theatre shows and leading Zumba classes in my spare time. I am also planning to become a life coach with the Jay Shetty Certification School later this year.

• Miss Ella Sandin
  Teacher of Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute and Piano
  Miss Ella Sandin

  Bachelor of Music (Saxophone) - McGill University.

  Masters of Music and Performance (Saxophone) - Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

  After I finished my Saxophone Performance degree at the Schulich School of Music in Montreal, Canada, I moved to London to pursue my MPerf in Saxophone Performance at the Guildhall School of Music.

  I currently work as a freelance musician around London, performing saxophone, flute, and clarinet in theatre pits, live bands, and orchestras around the country. I have been teaching privately for the past six years and currently teach as a woodwind and piano teacher at the Tiffin School and Waterside Academy. Outside of performing, I also compose for film/tv as well as orchestral works, and have pieces published by Saxtet Publications.

  I think music is such an important part of a child’s education and Iove teaching my students how music can be beneficial in all aspects of life.

• Mr Leslie Wynne Jones
  Teacher of Clarinet and Saxophone and Jazz Band Conductor
  Mr Leslie Wynne Jones

  Licentiate and Advanced Perfomer's Certificate - The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.

  After full-time studies at the RWCMD, I went on to study at Trinity College of Music, London. As a freelance musician, my interests were in the fields of Contemporary Music and Jazz. I have worked for the BRIT School, Kent Music School and BYMT. I have taught Clarinet/Saxophone at the City of London School for Girls, James Allen's Girls' School, Old Palace of John Whitgift School and St. Dunstan's College. I devised and organised a youth music event for the Millennium Festival - the 'BBC Proms Millennium Youth Day', which took place at the Royal Albert Hall on 12th August 2000. I am a former Member of the Board of Directors of NYJO. As a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, I take great interest in the arts in general, and music education in particular.

• Miss Zoe Jackson
  Teacher of Voice
  Miss Zoe Jackson

  MusB (Hons) - The University of Manchester.

  I started teaching singing at Hatcham College in March 2024. I have been singing for over 15 years and specialise in classical singing, opera and musical theatre.

  I am from Northern Ireland and graduated from The University of Manchester with a Bachelor of Music. Since graduating I have been working as a freelance singer, performing in operas and concerts across the UK and elsewhere in Europe.

  In 2019/20 I was a Young Artist on the Northern Ireland Opera Studio and made my professional debut performing in Suor Angelica in Lucca, Italy.

  I love teaching and sharing my passion for singing with others. I teach in several schools across London and enjoy facilitating outreach projects as well. My favourite thing about singing is that you can do it anywhere, anytime and every voice is unique!

• Mr Thomas Stoddart
  Teacher of Voice
  Mr Thomas Stoddart

  BMus (Hons) - Trinity College of Music.

  MA in Acting – Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.

  I have been the Vocal teacher at Hatcham since 2008, when I graduated from Trinity College of Music. I have enjoyed a varied and fulfilling performance career, in Opera, Music Theatre, and Pop. I am a member of the Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, have recorded music and sound effects for blockbuster films, performed as an opera/ jazz and pop soloist across the UK and Europe.

  I studied for my acting masters at Mountview in 2018/19 and have a particular interest in acting through song. Aside from singing I run a successful business as a voiceover artist and work as an actor.

• Mrs Siân Collins
  Teacher of Brass
  Mrs Siân Collins

  BMus (Hons) in Instrumental Performance - Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

  MPerf in Orchestral Artistry - Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

  I have been playing the French horn for over 20 years, and regularly perform with world-class orchestras including the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Opera House. I am also a busy commercial player with the Guildhall Session Orchestra. I am a keen amateur aerial circus artist, with a particular interest in trapeze.

• Mr Benjamin Day
  Teacher of Brass
  Mr Benjamin Day

  BMus (Hons) - Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

  MPerf - Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

  Guildhall Concert Recital Diploma.

  I have a varied career in Trumpet performance and teaching. I have a trained and performed with some of the countries’ leading orchestras including English National Opera and London Symphony Orchestra. My career also sees me performing in more commercial settings such as musical theatre pits and function bands.

• Mr Kwame Anomah
  Teacher of Percussion, Drum-Kit and Djembe
  Mr Kwame Anomah

  BA (Hons) in Business - Kingston University.

  I am drummer, percussionist, mentor and accompanist and I started playing drum kit and percussion since I was eleven.

  My main instrument is the drum-kit and my percussion instruments I mainly play are djembe and congas. I have led African drumming ensembles and samba ensembles at primary and secondary schools based around London.

  I usually play by ear; by listening to the track and play what I hear then change some parts, if necessary, as well as providing rhythm section support. I am a key member of the Music Programme for the Ark Schools events and rehearsal team and am the lead member for concert equipment set-up, which led to performances at venues such as The Barbican Centre.

  My musical influences are funk, drum & bass, and house music. Jamiroquai influenced me with their playing style and drumming beats and effective percussion play. I would experiment with drum techniques in genres including Drum & bass and dance music.

• Mr David Holmes
  Teacher of Percussion and Drum-Kit
  Mr David Holmes

  BSc in Mathematics - University of Nottingham.

  BMus in Music - King’s College, London.

  LRAM in Teaching - Royal Academy of Music.

  MPerf in Percussion - Royal College of Music.

  I have been teaching for over 15 years at various schools across London and I am currently the Percussion and Drum Kit teacher at Hatcham and at King’s School, Rochester. I have also been an examiner for Trinity College London for 10 years for whom I have travelled all over the UK and to Turkey and India.

  My musical education started at the Centre for Young Musicians, studying percussion at the Saturday centre and playing in the London Schools Symphony Orchestra. My association with CYM lasted nearly 20 years; working as a pastoral tutor and then percussion teacher on Saturdays and in various roles with the LSSO including percussion sectional coach, orchestral librarian and as orchestral manager for numerous concerts at the Barbican and on trips to Spain & Portugal, the Netherlands and Edinburgh.

  The nature of being a percussionist has enabled me to have an extremely varied performing career, ranging from orchestral (Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) to historical timpani (Gabrieli Consort) and contemporary opera (Jake Heggie’s Three Decembers at Wilton’s Music Hall). I have toured Switzerland with We Spoke: New Music ensemble performing a choreographed interpretation of Drumming by Steve Reich and I was a member of Rainer Hersch’s ensemble with whom I played drums live on the One Show on BBC One. I have played a number of concerts with Rick Wakeman including a UK tour of his album Journey to the Centre of the Earth. Studio work includes a chamber ensemble recording with the Guitarist John Williams (RAK studios) and the soundtrack to the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics (Abbey Road).

• Miss Desrine Nelson
  Teacher of Steel Pans
  Miss Desrine Nelson

  I am a Steel pan instrumentalist and a qualified youth worker.
  
  I first learnt to play the Steel pans in Primary school at the age of 8.
  During my secondary education, I was selected to join the London schools Steel Orchestra (LSSO), founded by Gerald Foysthe, who pioneered Steel pan in UK schools. I started teaching steel pans at Hatcham College in March 2023.
  
  I have had the opportunity to perform at prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Festival Hall, the Barbican and have also performed at the Queen's Golden Jubilee. I've also performed on TV and met a few celebrities on my pan journey and travelled internationally to perform.
  
  I started teaching Steel pans at 17 and have since worked with various primary and secondary schools, offering students opportunities to perform in the UK and abroad. I play by ear by listening to a song and working it out. It's important that the children are able to express themselves through music.
  
  I run a Steel pan band with a diverse range of different groups which is incredibly rewarding. It is exciting to see each group progress and bring their unique energy to the music.

• Ms Jasmine Kahlia
  Teacher of Rap, Beatboxing and Live Looping
  Ms Jasmine Kahlia

  I am an Acclaimed Audiovisual Artist and Outstanding Creative Practitioner, with work showcased regionally in the UK, and internationally in Spain, Germany and USA.

  I have contributed significantly to the UK Arts Sector in many capacities and has been platformed by some of the largest Arts Institutions across the UK, including Wellcome Collection, Britten Pears Arts, Resonance FM, Centrala, Rich Mix, Southbank Royal Festival Hall, London Metropolitan Archives, New Diorama Theatre, Theatre Deli, British Council, UAL, Sage and BALTIC Gateshead, National Youth Theatre, Arts Admin, Raze Collective, Lighthouse Arts Centre, Sound UK and Alexandra Palace, amongst others.

  I have experience within music, short films and literature and have had work archived at Goldsmiths University, Iniva, London Metropolitan Archives and been commissioned by Westminster City Council, Haringey Council, Sound UK, Tiata Fahodzi and Raze Collective, and currently on the 2024 WISE100 30 Ones to Watch List by Natwest and Pioneers Post. I works across around 19 different artforms to bring one's work to life.

• Ms Una Birtchnell
  Symphony Orchestra Conductor
  Ms Una Birtchnell

  AGSM Advanced Solo Studies - Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

  Dip-Superior École Normale.

  I am a cellist, teacher, arranger and conductor, working as a freelancer for over 30 years.

  I was a prize winner at the Guildhall and the École Normale in Paris, receiving scholarships to study cello and piano at both. I completed an Advanced Solo Studies course with Raphael Sommer and was awarded the Premier Prix in Paris. As an orchestral player I have performed with the Ulster Orchestra, London Mozart Players, the English Symphony Orchestra and the Festival Opera at Longborough. I have collaborated with chamber groups and have worked as freelancer for many instrumental artists, and singers, and played on the iconic album ‘Dummy’, by Portishead.

  My educational work is extensive, teaching across all age-groups from adults at the City Lit, to running successful primary and secondary school orchestras and chamber music courses. In 2017 I received the prestigious Classic FM award for ‘Most Inspirational Teacher of the Year’, given in recognition for my work in education as a leader, communicator and as someone committed to harnessing and creating opportunities for the next generation of musicians.

  I have been leading the Orchestra at Hatcham College since September 2021.