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.

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.

Yasemin Gezer

Singing Teacher

Yasemin is a versatile vocalist, extensively trained in Musical Theatre, Pop, Classical, and Jazz. She studied Music at the University of Bristol where she achieved one of the highest marks of her cohort in the final year recital, and since then has been performing and teaching regularly.

As a singing teacher, Yasemin fosters a supportive and personalised environment, blending advanced vocal techniques with a relaxed, fun atmosphere to empower her students. She customises lessons to meet each student's unique needs and learning style, leading to remarkable transformations. With an emphasis on acting and stage presence, she helps her students establish deep connections with the music, resulting in confident, authentic performances. Above all, Yasemin is dedicated to creating a positive and enjoyable environment in all her lessons, so that students find the joy that will fuel their motivation to improve.

Mathew Follis

Guitar Teacher

Mathew Follis primarily works as a jazz and free improvising musician outside of his tutoring work, playing in multiple ensemble of a contemporary and experimental nature. Mathew has taught privately for the past two years, during his undergraduate and current part time postgraduate study at Goldsmiths University of London. Within his practice, Mathew’s core values stem from research in performance ecology and philosophy. Mathew tries to apply these approaches to his teaching in a suitable and context specific manner.

Jakub Miazga

Drumkit TEACHER

Jakub Miazga was born in Bialystok, Poland, where he studied classical percussion until he moved to UK in 2005. He undertook his higher education at the prestigious Leeds College of Music, where he had a chance to study and work with UK’s finest musicians including Dave Walsh, Omar Puente, Jim Corry and many more.

After graduating in 2011, he took a full time position as a showband drummer and a musical director on board 5-star cruise line, where he got a chance to travel around the world and perform with some of the best acts on high seas.

He is now settled down in London and he is quickly becoming an in demand jazz/session drummer on the UK scene.

James Bester

Piano Teacher

James Bester received his Masters Degree in Music from the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied under Carole Presland. He also studied there as an undergraduate, obtaining his Bachelors Degree under the acclaimed French pedagogue Pascal Nemirovski.

He started his training in South Africa, and has since his teen years been involved in performances and competitions both nationally and on international stage. Memorable concerts include a solo recital at St. Martin in the Fields in 2011, and collaborations and performances with young composers in New York. Working hard towards his goals as a young pianist, he set out to inspire the same feelings in his pupils, whom he has been teaching since 2006 in and around London.

As an enthusiastic teacher, James has worked with learners ranging from beginners (both children and adults), in preparing them for their music exams, be it at school or as part of the ABRSM examination system.

Having studied at such a highly acclaimed school such as the Royal Academy of Music, James sets out in teaching his pupils that music is a language, and an extraordinary means of communication, whether in an exam or a performance environment. He aims to teach his learners to be forward thinking musicians who are able to communicate their performances through thoughtful expression and sound technical training.

James is also an active performer, with recent concerts given at Burgh House, St. Martin-in-the Fields, and a contemporary music performance in Brooklyn (Galapagos Art Space), and Manhattan (The Cell), New Yorkas part of the DETOUR New Music Ensemble, premiering both ensemble as well as solo works by upcoming American Composers based in New York (Juilliard), and Los Angeles (University of Southern California), as well as recent recitals in Boston and Cape Cod, Massachusetts with American cellist Diana Golden. 

Alex Max

Violin Teacher and Orchestra Leader

Coming from a musical family, Alex started learning violin at the age of 6. He studied with Judith Bourne, who played with the English Chamber Orchestra, and Rosemary Nalden, who played for the London Mozart Players and went on to form Buskaid.

He was a musical scholar at Westminster School and has performed in many of London's prestigious venues as well as at the Alderburgh Festival. Alex went on to study Fine Art at Central St Martin's, whilst continuing his violin studies and performing as a DJ for many years.

Alex has been teaching violin for 15 years and has worked with Pelican Music from the outset, both as teacher and orchestral lead, as well as coaching many ensembles. Although teaching takes up the majority of his time, he continues to perform both as violinist and DJ.