Flavio Albino Rodrigues

Piano, Guitar and Clubs Teacher

Flávio Albino Rodrigues began his music studies at the age of 9 at the Dr. José de Azeredo Perdigão Conservatory of Music in Viseu. From the age of 5, he accompanied his parents playing traditional Portuguese music, allowing him to travel the world and perform for distinguished figures, such as Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, and two Presidents of the Portuguese Republic on various occasions.

At 17, he moved to London to study at the Royal Academy of Music under Professor Owen Murray, where he completed both his Bachelor's, Master's and Advanced Diploma degrees, having been awarded a DipRAM for exceptional performance. During his years in London, he developed an extensive background in pedagogy, working with over 500 students, leading workshops and masterclasses at various schools in England, at the Viseu Conservatory of Music in Portugal, and at the North Jiading Accordion School in Shanghai, China. Since 2023, he has been a teacher at RAM’s Junior Academy and in 2025 also joined Havering Music School, Langley Hall Music Academy and Pelican Music.

Flávio has worked with composer Dr. Professor Timothy Bowers and premiered his piece “Lift Off!”, as well as Howard Skempton’s “Unbroken”, contributing to the ongoing development of contemporary music.  Other collaborations with composers and premieres include Ng Yu Hng’s accordion Sonata “Is Anyone Out There…”,  Owen Ho’s “Shoreless Shores” for accordion and chamber orchestra, Bernardo Simões Opera “A Gathering” and Pablo Martinez’s Opera “What Now, Mané?”.

His stage experience includes performances at King’s Place, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Lincoln Cathedral, and collaborations with the Manson Ensemble, London Concertante, Southbank Sinfonia, Berkeley Ensemble, Opera North, Royal Academy Opera, and Glyndebourne Opera House.

In 2025 Flavio launched his first solo Album and is currently working on a second one with cello, after winning the Craxton Memorial Award in 2025.

Lucy Twaite

Piano and Violin Teacher

Lucy is a dedicated and passionate music educator and teacher with a Bachelor of Music from Cardiff University. She is a highly accomplished violinist and pianist with 12 years of teaching experience. 

After studying music (where she gained her degree specialising in piano performance) Lucy has performed at weddings, private events and as an accompanist. She plays violin in numerous orchestras across London; performing at venues including the Royal Albert Hall, the Barbican centre and venues across Europe. She also enjoys performing at festivals across the UK.  She has extensive experience working as a music practitioner, leading bespoke sessions for music schools, holiday courses as well as leading a community choir. 

Lucy tailors her lessons to suit the needs and tastes of the individual. She has taught in both primary and secondary schools and successfully guided many students through their ABRSM and Trinity examinations, with a 100% success rate.

Lucy has seen first-hand how transformative and life-changing music can be on the mental and emotional wellbeing of young people. She strives to nurture a love of playing in her students, grounded in the fundamentals of good technique and musicianship. She creates a positive and welcoming environment in her lessons and relishes working with children and young people to unlock their creativity and hopefully develop a lifelong love of music. She is excited to bring her passion and love for music to the students at Pelican.

Toby Young

Trumpet and Piano Teacher

Toby Young is a trumpeter, pianist, composer and improviser who performs across the UK and internationally. Toby is a versatile musician, a keen improviser, lead, session and orchestral trumpeter, Toby is often writing and arranging for many of his own projects. Originating from Leeds, Toby is based in London and is in his final year at Trinity Laban where he studies jazz alongside working as a professional musician. Toby can be seen performing in London and on the West End as well as across the UK and internationally. He has recorded and performed with the likes of Hans Koller, Michael Formanek, Byron Wallen, Steve Williamson, NYJO, The Syd Lawrence Big Band, London Intercollegiate Jazz Orchestra and the Cameron Scott Big Band. Toby also runs his own jazz quintet which have played gigs throughout the country. He is heavily inspired by the playing of CliOord Brown, Freddie Hubbard and Tom Harrell and has been lucky enough to have been mentored by Steve Fishwick, Byron Wallen and Hans Koller over the last four years.

Elizabeth Hoare

Singing, Piano and Clubs Teacher

Elizabeth is a dedicated music and performing arts educator with a BA (Hons) in Actor Musicianship from Rose Bruford College. She is passionate about empowering young people through creative expression and has worked extensively across a range of educational settings.

Elizabeth has taught with Totally RAD Music School, Jigsaw Performing Arts, PQA, and Southbury Primary School, where she designed and delivered engaging, curriculum- based music lessons. Her teaching practice focuses on building confidence, creativity, and collaboration in a safe and inclusive environment. She is experienced in working with children of all ages and abilities, supporting them in developing vocal technique, musicality, and stage presence.

A versatile musician and actor, Elizabeth is proficient in voice, drums, saxophone, and keyboard. She has trained at leading institutions, including Rose Bruford College and Arts Educational School and holds an ATCL Diploma in Speech & Drama, ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory, and RSCM Bronze and Silver Awards. Her training includes roles such as Musical Director for Mermaid at Rose Bruford College, where she led ensemble singing and musical storytelling.

Elizabeth is currently making her professional London debut as Female Swing (Stick Lady Love & Actor-Musician) in Stick Man Live at the Bloomsbury Theatre — a production that combines her love for performance with her passion for inspiring children through live theatre.

At the heart of her teaching is a commitment to creativity, inclusion, and joyful learning. She continues to champion the arts as a powerful tool for growth, expression, and connection in young people’s lives. Elizabeth is excited to continue sharing her love of music and performance with the next generation of artists.

Catherine Reid

Harp and Piano Teacher

Harpist Catherine Reid made her solo recital debut in 2022 as a Peggy and Yale Gordon Trust featured concert artist in Baltimore, Maryland. She received a Bachelor of Music with high distinction and performer’s certificate from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where she studied with Kathleen Bride.

Catherine is also an accomplished pianist, taking lessons from 2006 until 2020, and completed Trinity College London music theory exams grades 2-8. Catherine currently studies harp with Daphne Boden at the Royal College of Music (RCM) in London, pursuing a Master of Music in Performance degree, and is an RCM Scholar.

Catherine was selected for the English National Opera’s 2023-24 Evolve scheme, and has extensive experience performing chamber repertoire as well as orchestral works and opera. Her recent performances include Odyssey Festival Orchestra’s “No One Understood” featuring Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 at Cadogan Hall, and RCM Opera’s Triple Bill featuring Britten’s Les Illuminations, Weill’s Marie Galante, and Ravel’s L’heure Espagnole. She is looking forward to performing with Odyssey Festival Orchestra again in January 2025 for their “A Hopeless Case” concert featuring works by Mussorgsky and continuing to participate in events at RCM.

Cyrus Lam

Flute and Piano Teacher

Cyrus Lam, born and bred in Hong Kong, started learning the flute under the tutelage of Ms. Carmen Ma at the age of six. Having aimed at becoming a professional flute performer from an early age, Cyrus is currently studying Classical Flute Performance at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, under Professors Ian Clarke and Sarah Newbold. In Diocesan Boys’ School, from where he graduated in 2021, he served as the chairman of the school’s Wind Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra. Acting as principal flute, the school orchestra toured Central Europe in 2019 and performed repertoires including Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and Richard Strauss’ Don Juan in Prague, Budapest and Vienna. Being part of an orchestra and a woodwind quintet in high school grants him exposure to various repertoires of different classical music eras. Cyrus was also the former flute principal of the Hong Kong Youth Orchestra, and the former flute principal of the Hong Kong Youth Philharmonia, a fully student-led orchestra based in Hong Kong. 

Apart from ensemble-playing, Cyrus also refined his techniques in solo performance by setting examinations and competitions, both local and international, as his short-term goals. He received both ATCL and LTCL diplomas in Flute Performance with distinction. Cyrus also won the First Prize in the 8th Flute Festival Singapore in 2017, the Third Prize in the Eastbourne Symphony Orchestra Young Soloist Competition in 2023, as well as the First Prize in the Young Artist Category of the British Flute Society Competitions in the same year.

Since studying in the UK, Cyrus has been actively engaging in festivals and summer courses. He has performed in masterclasses with Robert Winn, Kate Hill and Denis Bouriakov. Recently, he participated in the Venuto Opera Summer Course under a scholarship, performing operatic works by Mozart, Verdi and Mascagni in various towns in Venuto, Italy during the Arte Lirica Festival 2023.

Kenza Stamselberg

Violin and Piano Teacher

Kenza Stamselberg began her studies at the age of six and was later awarded a place at the Junior Guildhall, under Professor Boris Kucharsky. In 2018 she was accepted into the Yehudi Menuhin School, continuing her studies with Boris Kucharsky and later Ning Kam. Kenza will begin her bachelor’s degree at the Royal College of Music in September 2024, studying under Professor Radu Blidar.

As a soloist, Kenza has performed numerous recitals around the UK, most recently touring Scotland in May 2024. She has appeared as soloist with the Yehudi Menuhin School orchestra in the Menuhin Hall Winter Festival 2023 and has performed at the Proms at St Judes. Kenza has also performed solo recitals to raise money for the Youth Music Charity, aiming to provide musical opportunities for young individuals in Britain. Similarly, she performs annually at the Firefly International Gala to fundraise for children affected by war. 

A keen chamber musician, Kenza has collaborated with renowned artists such as Natalia Lomeiko, Dinara Klinton, Sally Beamish and the Maxwell Quartet. She has performed at Kings Place, the Menuhin Hall, the Banstead Arts Festival, Milton Court, Blair Castle, the Petworth Festival and other venues across the UK. As an orchestral musician, Kenza led the National Children’s Orchestra from 2016-2019 and has performed at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Bridgewater Hall and Birmingham Symphony Hall. She has been an active member of the Odyssey Festival Orchestra since their inauguration concert in 2022. She has also toured with the Menuhin School Orchestra across England as well as at the Gstaad Menuhin Festival in Switzerland. 

Kenza has attended masterclasses with many acclaimed musicians, both as a soloist and in chamber music. As a soloist she has worked with Nicola Benedetti, Tobias Feldmann and Paul Coker. She also took part at the Internationale Sommerakademie Mozarteum Salzburg in 2022 with Barbara Doll, as well as the Festival Academy Budapest in 2023, receiving lessons from Hagai Shaham and Jonian Illias Kadesha. Kenza has also worked with Alexander Sitkovetksy, Maxim Rysanov, Tasmin Little, Robert Levin and the Modigliani Quartet. 

Kenza is very grateful to be supported by the Albert Cooper Trust and Talent Unlimited. 

Lawrence Solon

Piano Teacher

Lawrence has been tutoring the piano one-to-one for 15 years in the Hammersmith & Chiswick areas, and is known for his energy, enthusiasm, and lively approach to teaching. As well as working with students individually, Lawrence has also worked as a SEN music teacher at Westminster Kingsway College helping students with a range of mild to severe learning difficulties.

Lawrence picked up the piano when he was 11 and continued to teach himself until he was 18, when he started having professional guidance. Since then, he has been fortunate enough to study under several excellent piano teachers and has received a distinction in ARSM Piano Performance. He has also obtained DipABRSM in Music Teaching. The experience of learning with and without help contributes greatly to his understanding of the struggles and pitfalls of developing piano skills without proper direction.

Alongside his piano studies, Lawrence enjoys composition and music production. He believes these are an important and fulfilling way to learn and understand music theory, aural capabilities, and overall musical appreciation. He is always happy to incorporate composition into the technical studies of any of his students who are interested in creating their own music.

In his free time, Lawrence enjoys playing and rehearsing in a trio with two soprano singers. When time allows, he also creates piano tutorial videos for his YouTube channel. These are designed to support his day-to-day tuition, each one focusing on a specific issue.

Katey Rylands

Singing and Piano Teacher

Katey Rylands is an English Mezzo-Soprano currently freelancing as a performer and teacher in London. Katey's recent successes includes winning the Isabel Jay Memorial Prize at her previous conservatoire, the Royal Academy of Music, after impressing the adjudicator with her operatic repertoire. Currently, she is enjoying teaching at SWS school of Music and Putney Music School and loves working with children of all ages, teaching them both singing and piano. Katey's strong musicianship originated when studying music in secondary school and excelled when she attended Wells Cathedral School as a specialist Musician. Whilst studying at RAM, Katey was involved in many exciting projects such as, performing in the RAO chorus for Tchaikovsky's Iolanta, Ravel's L'enfant et les sortilèges and Massenet's Chérubin. Katey's passion for opera was certainly highlighted when she performed the roles of Cherubino, Nancy, Orfeo, Hermia and Dorabella in Vocal Faculty opera scenes. When Katey wasn't studying she loves to involve herself in different projects and productions; Katey performed the role of Dido in HGO's production of Purcell's Dido & Aeneas and has performed in West Green House Opera's summer production of Donizetti's opera L'elisir d'amore.

Katey started learning piano as a second instrument during her time at primary school and continued lessons throughout secondary school and during her time at Wells Cathedral School as a specialist musician. She has taught piano at multiple schools and for music schools, such as SWS Music school, Putney Music school and now Pelican Music. She also has a Master of Arts degree from the Royal Academy of Music, which has broadened her musicianship and sharpened her music theory knowledge.

Although Katey loves the performing aspect of her career, she loves being a teacher. She believes that music is very important to a child's development and that music can also teach many life skills that will benefit them in their futures.

Laila Arafah

Piano Teacher

Laila is a London based composer and pianist studying at the Royal Academy of Music on a Scholarship. She began playing the piano at the age of seven, followed by composition at Junior Trinity, where she was awarded the Junior Trinity Composition Prize twice, then joined the Purcell School for Young Musicians under the Music and Dance Scheme, where she was awarded the Tim Stevenson Award for Outstanding Composition, and attended Aldeburgh Young Musicians under the Leverhulme trust.

Laila enjoys performing, having received a Mark Evison Foundation Award for organising and performing in outdoor concerts for care homes during the Covid pandemic. She has performed as part of ensembles at South Bank Centre, St Albans Cathedral, the North London Festival, and Snape Maltings Britten Studio, and is currently on the London Symphony Orchestra Panufnik Scheme.

As a composer, she has written for ensembles including The London Sinfonietta, London Mozart Players, Roadrunner Trio, Carducci Quartet, CoMA Orchestra, Purcell Symphony Orchestra, Aldeburgh Festival Podcast, Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, ACA Orchestra.

With patience and encouragement, Laila’s aim is to create a positive, supportive learning environment where students can progress at their own pace and cultivate a lifelong passion for playing the piano.

Serena Sheane

Piano and Flute Teacher

Serena received her Postgraduate Certificate in Music Education and Performance from the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in 2023 under the tutelage of Deniz Gelenbe and Tim Palmer. She completed the ISP Advanced Programme in the same institution with Mikhail Kazakevich in 2021. Serena was also awarded a first-class honours degree from the CIT Cork School of Music (now known as Munster Technological University) in 2020 and received three “Student of the Year” awards during the course of her studies. Specialisms in these multi-faceted programmes included Classroom Pedagogy, Piano and Flute Performance, Instrumental Teaching, Conducting, Music History and Repertory Studies.

Originally from Ireland, Serena started piano and flute at the age of six and nine respectively. Watching “The Sound of Music” on VHS sparked her interest in music education and she was soon travelling up to 585 miles a week for instrumental tuition! Serena received the “Pauline Cullinane Hicks” Award for outstanding performance in the 2013 Junior Certificate Music Examinations and was awarded a scholarship/high achievement award for every grade examination she sat in both instruments with the Cork School of Music and ETB CSM. She also received top marks in her Bachelor of Music Entrance Examination in 2016. She has participated in numerous music festivals and competitions in the UK and Ireland and relishes the opportunity to perform in solo and chamber capacities. Highlights of performing career include playing with the CSM Junior Orchestra in the National Concert Hall, accompanying Cantairí Mhuscraí in Teatro don Bosco and performing in the Irish Heritage Bursary Competition in Wigmore Hall. 

Serena has developed a strong reputation for teaching motivational, productive and enjoyable music lessons in Cork and London. The ages and standard of her pupils have ranged from 3 to 67, beginner to Grade 8. Serena has taught in schools and music institutions across South East London and has coached students toward ABRSM, Trinity and RIAM (Royal Irish Academy of Music) exams. Noteworthy examples include Rathfern Primary, Bromley Conservatoire and Orpington Music Studio. She recently completed Nicola Cantan’s “Creative Kickstart for Teens” and Paul Myatt’s “Whole Body Learning” courses alongside her teaching. 

Serena is looking forward to starting her new role with Pelican Music. She is eager to give her students a well-rounded education using a distinctive blend of activities, pieces and laughter in every lesson. Serena loves playing her piano and hopes she can inspire her students to do the same!

Rowan Jones

Clarinet and Piano Teacher

Rowan Jones is an award-winning London based clarinettist and music tutor with a wealth of orchestral, contemporary and chamber music experience. Her musical education began at the Walthamstow Music Service and continued through outreach projects led by Barbican Guildhall Creative Learning. She went on to study at the Junior Guildhall School of Music and Drama where she was awarded the Principal’s Prize in 2017, the Clarinet Prize in 2016 and 2017 and was a finalist in the Lutine Prize. Rowan has graduated with a Master’s of Performance from the Royal College of Music in 2023 and a Bachelor of Music with First Class from the Royal Academy of Music in 2021 as a scholarship holder. Rowan is a recipient of the RCM Musician’s Grant Fund Instrumental Award 2023, St Marylebone Educational Foundation Grant and UMUK Sound Foundation Instrumental Award 2022/23.

Rowan has enjoyed playing with the Orchestra of Opera North, English National Opera, Wild Arts’ opera run and tour of the Elixir of Love 2023 and recording with Shadwell Opera amongst others. As a founding member of Sylva Winds, Rowan has performed in recitals around London including at the Brazilian Embassy in London and in chamber music residencies with Ferrandou Musique and the Tunnell Trust. They have won numerous chamber music awards and recorded in Abbey Road Studios. Rowan’s versatile performance and instrumental skills have lead her to thrive in contemporary music settings too, having attained the 2023/24 clarinet place in the London Sinfonietta Academy and she has also recorded for Naxos. Rowan has taught clarinet, piano, saxophone and music theory lessons privately for 7+ years and is currently the Clarinet Tutor at HMDT Saturday Programme and a peripatetic teacher with WFMS and THAMES.

Oran Johnson

Piano Teacher

Oran Johnson is a London-based composer, multi-instrumentalist, and teacher with an eclectic background, having trained as a classical pianist, played guitar in jazz and rock bands, and having created electronic music. He completed his master’s degree in composition at the Royal Academy of Music where he graduated with a distinction and was awarded a DipRAM.

As a teacher, Oran is committed to sharing his enthusiasm for music-making by providing engaging lessons that are tailored to the interests and goals of the student, whether that is supporting them in learning whatever music they want to play for fun, preparing for an exam, learning more about music theory, or creating their own pieces.

Scarlett Foley

Violin, Piano and Clubs Teacher

Scarlett has grown up around music for a long time. She has recently graduated from the London College of Music with a BA Hons in Actor Musicianship, which involves her singing, acting and of course playing lots of instruments. She plays the violin, piano and ukulele as well as singing too! She has also made her professional debut in a children's theatre show 'The Extraordinary Adventures of Little Lily' where she composed music and played the role of Lily, in a one woman show. Scarlett is thrilled to be teaching for Pelican Music as she loves sharing her joy of music with everyone.

Dan Coulthurst

Trumpet and Piano Teacher

Birmingham raised trumpet player and composer Dan Coulthurst is one of the young rising stars of the British music scene. Born into a musical family, Dan quickly found his passion for the subject and wasted no time in getting involved in the thriving Birmingham music scene.

Since graduating from Leeds College of Music in 2018, Dan has played with internationally acclaimed artists such as Jean Toussaint, Hermeto Pascal, Reginald D Hunter and Nikki Iles. Some gig highlights include performing with the Ronnie Scotts Big Band, Simon Spillet Big band, touring with China Moses as well as being a chair holder in the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. Dan has also released 2 EPs with his nu-soul band Mamilah. Most recently he received a scholarship to study a Masters at Trinity Laban. 

Babyteeth is Dan’s debut album and explores themes such as love, racism, anxiety and self-acceptance.

Matilde Freiria

Guitar and Piano Teacher

Matilde Freiria began her guitar studies at age six at Conservatório de Música S.José da Guarda under the orientation of Hugo Simões and Egar Petejo. Matilde began learning piano as a secondary instrument, which soon became a key aspect of her musical development. Over time, her passion for the piano grew, not only as a tool for personal expression but also as something she enjoys sharing with others.

In 2017, she began her Bachelor degree at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, in London, where she is currently doing a Masters degree with Robert Brightmore.

Over the years she has taken part in a vast number of masterclasses with renowned guitarists like Margarita Escarpa, Dejan Ivanovic Costas Kotsiolis, Carlo Marchione, among others. Furthermore, she has received many prizes in international competitions.

Matilde is regularly invited to play solo or as part of an ensemble. She has participated in many music festivals where she had the opportunity to premiere commissioned pieces.

She is currently a member of the Miragaia-Freiria duo and a co-founder of OpusPausa.

Nino Russell

Piano and Singing Teacher

Nino is currently undertaking doctoral studies in composition at the Royal College of Music under the supervision of Alison Kay and Christina Guillaumier. Recipient of the Frank Bridge Studentship and the Kit and John Gander Award, his research arises out of modular, generative and reactive systems within a series of new works, Constellations.

Nino also holds a Master of Composition (MComp) with Distinction from the RCM,
and a Bachelor of Music in Composition (BMus) with First Class Honours from the
London College of Music, supported by the Nina Williams Scholarship. His diverse portfolio includes concert and media music, which has been broadcast on Amazon Prime Video and ITV. Performances of his work have been given by CBSO NEXT artists Laura Farré Rozada and Iris van den Bos, sopranos Charlotte Hoather and Kathleen Anne Greene, the RCM Film Orchestra, and the Arcus Quartet, at the CBSO Centre, Leeds Lieder Festival, Royal College of Music and the Ealing Music Festival.

Nino has taught piano, music theory and composition both privately and in schools across London for over six years.

Daniel Chappell

Piano TEACHER

Daniel Lee Chappell is a pianist and composer, who has worked across the UK, US, and Europe including at Mariinsky II Theatre, Cadogan Hall, St Petersburg Philharmonia Hall, Three Choirs Festival, and ENO Lillian Baylis House. He was mentored by acclaimed pianist Andrew Wilde through the sponsorship of the North West Arts Trust, before moving to London in 2015 to take up a Robert McFadzean Whyte scholarship at the Royal College of Music.

A passionate performer of contemporary music, and alumnus of the London Sinfonietta Academy, he has performed with ensembles including Asyla Ensemble, Melos Sinfonia and Illini Modern Ensemble, and worked as an accompanist and repetiteur with Opera Holland Park, Helios Collective, and Bloomsbury Opera.

Recent engagements have included performing the Schoenberg Piano Concerto at the Waterloo Festival, a residency with the Cohan Collective writing new music for dance, and talking about his work with interdisciplinary collective Spectra Ensemble at the Tate Modern.

He is also a teacher and animateur, and previously lectured on Creative Learning through the Arts at Reading University.

Matthew Duncan

Piano and singing teacher

Matthew trained at the Royal Northern College of Music and at Associated Studios, London. Recent roles include Bourgeois (Fortunio) with Grange Park Opera and Buxton Opera Festival, Schaunard (La Boheme) with Opera Up Close, Hobson (Peter Grimes) with the Nottingham Philharmonic Orchestra, Gerald (La belle de la Bete) at Tete a Tete Opera Festival, Baron (La Traviata) with Opera UK and Petaling Jaya Arts Theatre in Kuala Lumpur, Gugliemo (Cosi fan Tutte) with European Chamber Opera and Jackdaws Opera.

He recently performed in Iris, La Boheme and The Queen of Spades with Opera Holland Park and also sang in Northern Ireland Opera’s critically acclaimed production of Turandot. Other credits have included Peter Grimes, Queen of Spades, Fortunio, Madama Butterfly, Idomeneo, Tosca, Love for Three Oranges and Tristan und Isolde at Grange Park Opera.

On the solo concert platform he has sung at numerous venues across the UK, performing recently at the London Handel Festival with the Amade Players and also in the title role in Elijah at the Cadogan Hall with the LGMC.

Matthew also sings with the Blossom Street Singers and the J-Tones Quartet who perform regularly across the UK. He is also a member of Eschoir who recently performed for the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street.

In addition to performing Matthew enjoys a busy schedule of private piano and singing teaching. He co-conducts the St. Giles Choir in Camberwell (South London) and also the Camberwell Community Choir in London which enjoys regular performances across London including recent performances at Young-Vic Theatre and the Royal Festival Hall.

Lisa Sumner

Cello and Piano teacher

Lisa grew up in a musical family. Her mother was a piano teacher and she and her siblings all learnt instruments. She started the piano when she was 6 and cello when she was 10. Playing music together helped to foster a real love of chamber music. During these early years she discovered how much fun it can be to play music with family, friends and other musicians.

She joined the Merseyside Youth Orchestra at 15. After leaving school she went to the Royal Academy of Music in London to study cello with Derek Simpson and piano with Graeme Humphrey. As a student she took part in masterclasses with the renowned cellist Lynn Harrell - both as a cellist and also as an accompanist. She was awarded LRAM teaching Diplomas on both instruments, an Honours Degree and a Certificate of Advanced Studies for a 4th year on the cello. She was also awarded the John Booth Prize.

After leaving the RAM Lisa embarked on an extensive teaching career, initially in West London. She coached chamber groups and orchestras and taught in various schools -  Bute House Preparatory School, St Paul’s Girls’ School, Putney High and Lady Eleanor Holles in Hampton.

It was always her passion to get children to play music together from an early age. She directed her own Orchestral Courses primarily for juniors. She formed a Saturday Music School and these both became very popular.  During this period she was also asked to coach on the Oxford Cello School and in time became Junior Course Director from 1997 - 2002.

Her first son was born in London in 2003.  Two years later she relocated with her family to the North West and her second son was born soon after. In 2009 she was employed by St Mary’s College, Crosby to teach cello and piano and she combined this with a private teaching practice at home.

Lisa and her family moved back to London in April 2017 and began working for Pelican in September 2017.