Ella Beard

Violin and Clubs Teacher

Ella Beard (they/them) is a violist and community practitioner from Australia, currently based in London. With over a decade of experience in music education, you can expect lessons with Ella to be welcoming, tailored to each student's needs and goals, and designed to spark curiosity and joy in music-making.

Ella has taught viola and violin to young people aged 4-17, across a broad range of contexts including private tuition, school-based instrumental programs, and ensemble leadership. Their teaching philosophy is centred on nurturing curiosity, confidence, and creativity in young learners, strongly believing that a joyful, well-supported introduction to music lays the foundation for lifelong engagement.

Ella has also performed in a variety of solo, chamber, and orchestral music contexts, including most recently at the Royal Ballet and Opera House, SOLO x National Gallery, Bang on a Can's LOUD Weekend, with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Camerata - Queensland's Chamber Orchestra, and AYO's Momentum Ensemble.

In addition to their work as a performer, Ella is passionate about bringing creative opportunities to the wider community through their work as a teaching artist. Ella has worked extensively with Wigmore Hall in a variety of Learning and Participation events across all ages. They have also been invited to work on several projects around Australia including The Nest, A Room of One's Own Workshops, and Lullaby Project Australia. Ella has also tutored violin and viola at the South Australian State Music Camp.

Ella studied at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and the Elder Conservatorium of Music, undertaking tuition with Stephen King, Michele Walsh, and Caroline Henbest.

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.

Tamsin Reed

Woodwind and Clubs TEACHER

Tamsin Reed began her musical journey playing the recorder aged 7, and quickly took up the flute thereafter. She immediately found her love for music, and competed for many years in the Wansbeck Music Festival where she achieved much success, where she was awarded a scholarship to the European Youth Summer Music school 2 years in a row. She was also a member of the National Children’s Orchestra in 2015.

Tamsin studied for 3 years at the Sage Gateshead Young Musicians Programme, achieving a distinction in her ARSM Diploma aged 15. Shortly after this she was awarded a place to study at Chetham’s School of Music for sixth form, taught by Fiona Fulton. During her time at Chetham’s she also worked with many world-renowned flautists in masterclasses, including Adam Walker and Andrea Olivia. 

Tamsin is currently studying towards her masters degree in Classical Flute at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, under the tutelage of Sarah Newbold, and is excited to pass on her passion for music to her students, as a teacher for Pelican Music.