All of our tutors at TMA are highly experienced, professional and tailor their lessons to each individual pupil. All of our teachers are fully DBS checked in accordance with government guidelines. If you are interested in joining our team Please Contact Simon.
Simon Markland – BA (hons) PGCE
Simon Markland is a highly experienced tutor in piano, guitar (electric and acoustic) and singing. He began keyboard lessons at the age of 5, completing his grades by the age of 12. Simon then moved onto learning the piano, working his way up the practical and theory grades until he was 16. This experience made Simon realise that his passion is for music.
Wishing to learn a new instrument, Simon picked up the guitar at 14 and progressed quickly over the following few years. He regularly performs within groups and as a solo artist performing well known favourites and compositions of his own which are always greatly received and highly praised.
Over the last 12 years he has taught private music lessons to children and adults ensuring they achieve their grade ambitions or just the ability to enjoy playing their instruments. As a qualified teacher Simon is highly competent in planning creative, individual and correctly levelled lessons for any pupil.
Originally from Lancashire, Simon undertook a BA (hons) in Music Practice at the University of Central Lancashire and completed his P.G.C.E at Oxford Brookes university. He has since been teaching and providing support in primary schools alongside private musical tuition.
In September 2015 Simon realised his dream of opening a full time music academy in the Thame area of Oxfordshire. He aims to bring professional and creative music lessons to children and adults alike alongside getting involved with local community projects and performances. Simon will also be going into local schools to inspire children to get involved.
Luke Chapman
Luke Chapman is experienced in teaching both children and adults of any age; Piano, Saxophone, Clarinet and singing. He began music lessons from the age of 8 completing all the required grades. At college Luke studied and completed a BTEC in music, something which has given him the bedrock for his musical talents.
Luke has performed in touring shows such as West Side Story, Sweeney Todd musical, Cabaret musical and various pantomimes. He also appeared in the ensemble in the film Les Miserables! Luke recently toured around the world performing with Westlife and Take That.
Currently the Musical theatre Teacher/singing teacher at the Pauline Quirke Academy in Oxford Luke also enjoys teaching privately and can provide creative lessons tailored for each individual.
Rosalind Cox
Rosalind Cox is a freelance ‘cellist’ and ‘cello’ teacher. She began her career at the Royal College of Music where she studied with Amaryllis Fleming. She achieved a distinction for her performing diploma and obtained a music degree. Since then she has been a member of the Elysian Piano Trio and the Clifton String Quartet and was principal cello of the Western Sinfonia for ten years.
Rosalind is also an enthusiastic teacher of the ‘cello and enjoys teaching pupils of all ages from beginner to diploma standard. She has previously been a teacher at Guildford High School, Royal Grammar School, St Catherine’s Bramley, Surrey University and Kings College and Wellington School in Somerset.
Gareth Batson
Gareth started drumming at age 8 on his fathers kit and soon found he had a passion for music and rhythm. This resulted in him playing in numerous school bands & theatre productions.
Upon leaving school and through many casual jobs, his constant love of music and drumming continued. Because of this, at 23, he decided to make it his full time profession.
This was to lead to a 15 year career of studio sessions, touring, gigs & tutoring having played with/for/supported the following:
Simply Red, Feeder, Lisa Stansfield, Republica, Aztec Camera, Vex Red, Ross Robinson (producer Slipknot, Korn) Mark Waterman ( producer Elastica, Swervedriver), The Family Cat, Jack Adapter & Last Man Standing (amongst others) along with many other casual gigs with a number of top musicians.
More recently Gareth has been pursuing his other love of sport setting up a personal training business with his wife as well as becoming a cycling coach.
Gareth can provide outstanding, creative and professional drum tuition from beginner to expert.
Karl Demata
Karl is a music teacher, lecturer, touring and recording artist, composer and songwriter.
Born in Italy and relocated to the UK after a period of world travel, Karl has spent years playing, touring and recording with a wide range of bands.
Inspired by the sixties and seventies rock music Karl started playing in his early teens but soon expanded his musical horizons to include a wide variety of styles. In the early days it would not have been unusual to perform in a loud rock band at night, study musicology and music theory at the University of Bologna (DAMS course – Music Arts & Drama) in the morning and hone traditional rock, blues, country and folk guitar techniques in the afternoon. These days, he shares his schedule between solo projects, European and American tours with several rock and jazz bands, festivals and club appearances (including Glastonbury, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Bestival / Isle of Wight etc. ) and session work for many other bands and musicians. For his own solo Album in 2011, he received rave reviews from, amongst others, BBC Radio 2 and Total Guitar magazine.
Karl is extremely passionate about music and guitars. As a teacher he covers a wide range of subjects including Rock, Hard-Rock, Pop, Folk, Country & Bluegrass, Traditional & Contemporary Blues, Traditional and “Gypsy” Jazz and more.
He also teaches bass guitar, mandolin, ukulele, improvisation, composition & songwriting and music technology.
Andrew Hansford
Andrew Hansford BMus (Hons) BA (Hons) MA MMus(Perf) MMus (Cantab) PGCert (OU)
ARCM ARCO LRSM LGSM LTCL FLCM FRSA (CT ABRSM Mentor)
Andrew Hansford, born in Berkshire, UK, holds UK music-degrees from Surrey ((UniS), Guildford), Bristol and Cambridge (St Catharine’s College) universities, and with the Open University (OU) (BA (Hons) in Humanities with Music with First-Class Honours and a Postgraduate Certificate in Humanities with Music (PGCert (OU) with Distinction) in addition to an MMus(Perf) from Bath Spa University (BSU), UK with Distinction in which Andrew specialised in Performance as a piano accompanist, as well as the ARCM, ARCO, LRSM, LGSM, LTCL, FLCM music-diplomas (awarded mostly in piano accompaniment/performance) and the FRSA. A performing classical pianist, specialising in piano accompaniment relatively early on whilst at school, he is also an organist, a harpsichordist (focusing mainly on accompaniment in both these instruments as well) and a choral singer (tenor).
Andrew is an active international ABRSM Examiner (classical/jazz grades/ARSM diploma), a CT ABRSM Mentor (piano) and an active international BIFF Music Adjudicator. A committed and experienced piano/jazz piano tutor (at all ages/levels), he is a permanent Visiting Piano/Jazz Piano Tutor with part-time posts at two Oxfordshire independent schools, gives piano tuition privately on a consultative/occasional basis, and has more recently secured a part-time Visiting Music Tutor position (in various capacities) at a Music Academy in Oxfordshire, UK. Presently researching for a PhD (in Music) at St John’s College, University of Durham, UK in preparation for a UK university Music lecturing-post, Andrew continues to enjoy his (advanced) piano accompaniment studies (on occasion and externally) at the Royal College of Music (RCM), London, UK with Gordon Fergus-Thompson, international concert-pianist (as part of Andrew’s personal/professional development). Andrew has always had a real love of choral/vocal music, nurtured since beginning his musical upbringing as a UK Cathedral Choir School nine-year-old boy-chorister, and he continually takes special pleasure in accompanying choirs, choral-ensembles and singers. Andrew’s preferred choice of instrument for the art of piano accompaniment is Steinway Model D
Andrew is delighted to have been appointed as a part-time Visiting Music Tutor at the Thame Music Academy (TMA), Oxfordshire, UK and very much looks forward to collaborating with learners and staff within the TMA.
Tom Mear
Tom Mear is an experienced musician and producer who plays drums, piano and bass guitar. He started to learn the drums at age 12. Since then he has picked up his other musical skills such as playing piano and bass guitar, producing, songwriting and music theory. He is a very keen performer and has played in many bands over the years, mainly as the drummer, playing cover and originals in various band and playing in various different parts of the country. And he is a keen producer who has a great understanding of music software such as Logic and Pro Tools, as well as having a lot of recording and engineering experience.
During his schools years, he had joined the school swing band as the drummer, performed in various musical productions and ran the school’s drum club; where he taught many younger students how to play the drums.
He then studied music for 4 years in college. 2 years of music performance and 2 years of music technology. During that time he has achieved a student of the year award, gigged with bands and has become a producer. He has produced various work of people since learning his skills, including songs, voice overs and sound effects. He achieved very high marks in both courses (performance: Distinction* Distinction, Distinctio. Technology: Distinction* Distinction*, Distinction*) both are diplomas. He will also be taking his drum grade 8 exam soon.
He is now the drummer in a progressive rock band called ‘The Mighty Bard’ who has appeared in ‘Prog Magazine’ and performed around the country. Tom is someone who wants to gain as much musical experience as possible, whether it be performing, teaching or producing. His musical styles include Rock, Jazz, Pop, Blues and Funk.
Cliff Sadler
Music has always been a passion of mine.
I started playing cornet in the junior band at the City of Oxford Silver Band in the late 1960’s, then went on to have a very successful time with championship section bands including Halls Oxford Concert Brass and Hanwell, which included several appearances at the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall.
I spent 25 years in the Territorial Army playing for the Royal Green Jackets Waterloo Band and Bugles. During my time with the band, I progressed to Colour Sargent, running the brass quintet and deputising for the musical director when needed. I played principal euphonium and regularly performed solos with the band at our many formal concerts. I also took part in many marching displays including sounding the retreat at Horse Guards parade and have performed at many prestigious venues around the world.
I am the Musical Director of a local band, Jubilee brass band, and as well as conducting the band at some very successful concerts I have also, following winning and becoming the 4th section area champions, achieved promotion with them from the fourth to the third section.
I have taught Brass for 15 years and have entered many children into the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music examinations with a 100% pass rate.
I have a very calm approach to teaching and the pupils I have taught in the past have responded well to me.
I am a highly motivated and hardworking individual who will always strive to get the best out of the people I work with.
Susan Briscoe
Having been born into a family of violinists in Dublin, Susan was quickly recognised as having a special sound on the instrument that needed nurturing. She won a scholarship to study with Jaroslev Vanacek at the Royal College of Music in London, then further study in Amsterdam with Davina van Wely. This set her onto a successful career joining the English Chamber Orchestra in 1987. She was also in demand elsewhere at the Royal Opera House, BBC Symphony, London Philharmonic and Philharmonia Orchestras. She has performed as soloist and leader with the National Symphony Orchestra in Dublin and as has toured as a recitalist in Ireland, Holland and Austria.
Alongside this, Susan has always enjoyed and valued the importance of teaching. She has a successful private practise teaching all levels and ages in Brighton and will be joining the team at TMA as our new violin tutor from January 2020.
David Child
David has lived in the Thame area his entire life and has a love for all things musical. He started studying piano at the age of five and began to study trumpet and singing soon afterwards. Progressing through school with various performing arts scholarships alongside both musical and theatrical success, David left sixth-form with four ABRSM Grade Eights and won a Composition Scholarship to study Music at the University of Southampton. There he worked with experts in their fields such as Julian Poore, David Owen Norris and Elizabeth Kenny and was trained in conducting under the guidance of the prolific Robin Browning.
David left University with Firsts in Performance and Composition and has been a teacher and a freelance musician ever since. As an award-winning musical director, skilled conductor, accompanist and singer, David has led orchestras, brass bands, folk groups, wind band, choirs and musical theatre companies.
As a class music teacher, David has worked at New College School in Oxford, Glenmoor and Winton Academies in Bournemouth, and has worked as a peripatetic and private instrumental tutor, where all his pupils have achieved exam Merits and Distinctions. He is delighted to join the team at Thame Music Academy, and looks forward to helping you in your musical journey.
Idony Perrett
Idony graduated with a First-Class degree from the Royal College of Music in 2019 and is currently studying at Distinction level on their Master of Performance course.
With 6 years of experience teaching woodwind, piano and music theory to pupils of all ages and stages, she has a 100% pass rate with ABRSM and Trinity exam boards.
She has been lucky enough to play with orchestras such as the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the English National Opera Orchestra and the Young Musician’s Symphony Orchestra, and is currently co-principal clarinet of the Endelienta Ensemble, which plays during the St Endellion Music Festival every year. She has also had the opportunity to perform at Windsor Castle for Prince Charles, leading the Royal College of Music Chamber Orchestra alongside Dame Sarah Connolly and Sir Thomas Allen.
Idony is an enthusiastic and positive teacher, getting the most out of her students whilst ensuring they feel supported and encouraged in their lessons.
Jessica Cox
I am a professional cellist with a First Class BA Hons music degree, a PG Dip RAM and LRAM and I enjoy a varied career balancing performing and teaching. I have been a member of Jeff Lynne’s ELO since 2016 and have appeared with the band at the Hollywood Bowl, Madison Square Gardens, Glastonbury and at Wembley Stadium for the album ‘Wembley or Bust.’ I have recorded at Abbey Road for Sam Smith’s title track for the James Bond film ‘Spectre’ as well as for various films including Dunkirk, Mission Impossible Fall Out and Wonder Woman 1984. I’ve worked with numerous commercial artists and have appeared on albums with Paul Weller, Bjork and Tom Walker as well as playing live with The Specials, Brian Wilson, Jamie Cullum and Ellie Goulding with my string quartet – Q Strings. I’ve been in love with the theatre since I was a child and have been fortunate enough to perform for The National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre of Scotland, Sadlers Wells and for various London West End Shows.
In the classical world I have performed and recorded with Northern Sinfonia, given solo recitals for Cunard cruise line and chamber music concerts with my string quartet, Stanford Quartet worldwide as well as a performance for HM The Queen and working with composer Harrison Birtwhistle.
I also arrange and compose music for artists including Ocean Colour Scene, Band of Skulls and Gilbert O’Sullivan as well as being co-founder of the one stop music production company Brik Hit House whom most recently have had music on BBC’s Panorama.
I have been teaching cello, piano, music theory and chamber music for nearly 20 years and have taught all ages and levels. I’ve run workshops for the London String Quartet Foundation as well as independently for schools throughout the UK.
Kiera Gillies
Kiera is an experienced musician and music teacher from the local area. She started classical guitar lessons at 8-years-old and developed a deeper passion for music while excelling quickly through the Grades.
Kiera has played in a number of guitar ensembles and notably played in the Bucks Youth Guitar Ensemble (BYGE).
The BYGE brought together the top classical guitarists in the county, performing a repertoire of pieces as well as having music composed specifically for them.
Kiera has enjoyed partaking in an array of performances on the classical and acoustic/electric guitar in nation-wide competitions, in addition to performances at the Wycombe Swan, the Albert Hall and local events (such as Mayor’s inaugurations and school performances).
She began teaching classical guitar aged 16 as well as picking up the drums, saxophone and singing in choirs. Teaching quickly became a real passion and her love for music and teaching continues as she is now pursuing a performance career in the guitar, which has stemmed from her dedication to the instrument for over 10 years.
Kiera can create engaging lesson plans for students of all ages, whether they want to make their way through the grades, revive an old hobby or begin a new instrument from scratch.
Olivia Jane Mott
Olivia is an international pop singer, dancer and songwriter. She trained in London, has sung in girl bands and has performed at Madame Tussauds and the Casino De Madeira in Portugal.
Olivia trained at the British Academy of New Music in London. She has performed in three girl bands which involved touring the London gig circuit and Europe, run a dance school for children and a Zumba fitness business. She has written and recorded her own album and music videos. Her professional credits include: Dancer in a Capital Radio TV advert with Johnny Vaughn, Zumba instructor on Daybreak TV with Denise Van Outen, Singer in ‘The Road’ at Drury Lane Theatre Covent Garden London, Function Vocalist for weddings, corporate events in the UK including Madame Tussauds, Crowne Plaza and Warner Holidays. Lead singer/dancer in ‘Showtime’ at Casino De Madeira Portugal and performed as a Street dancer in a Music Video for a vocal artist at Pineapple Dance Studios.
Olivia is excited to teach music and see her students progressing and achieving their goals. She is a highly experienced, creative, energetic and professional singing tutor who can cater for all ages and styles.