LUCY ELLIS

INSTRUMENTAL TEACHER

I specialise in Brass. When I joined the Army, I learned French horn and joined the Welsh Guards Band, performing at high-profile Royal and State events and travelling around the world playing music. After leaving the Army, I completed my teacher training and have been teaching music to children and young people for over 20 years. 

JON HUGHES

INSTRUMENTAL TEACHER

I have been playing the guitar for over twenty years and have been teaching at the music service for ten years. In addition to teaching whole classes and small groups in primary and secondary schools, I also run the guitar ensemble and student rock band. 

I studied at the British & Irish Modern Music Institute and Goldsmiths University. I have played in many bands over the years, most notably with You Break, You Buy with which I have released two records and performed across Europe. I have also recently begun releasing music as a solo artist under the name eyeful.

SVAJA RADVILA

INSTRUMENTAL TEACHER

My main instrument is saxophone, however I teach clarinet, flute, recorder, keyboard and piano.

I started playing music because I am from a musical family and was brought up with music from early age. I love it.

LYUDMYLA GAUCI

INSTRUMENTAL TEACHER

I gained a Masters Degree specialising in piano. According to UK NARIC my diploma is considered comparable to British Bachelor degree standard. Qualifications: Teacher, Accompanist and Soloist of Chamber Music Ensemble.

Since 1979, I have been actively teaching piano to a wide range of students of all ages.

I have lectured to post-diploma level participants at the Regional Methodical Centre in Ukraine. I became a laureate of two accompanist competitions in Ukraine.

Some of my students participated in city, regional and international competitions both in Ukraine and in the UK, and many of them became prize-winners. 

Throughout my professional career I have maintained a real passion for music and a firm belief in passing on my knowledge of the piano and music as an expressive form to all I work with and teach. 

massimo roman

INSTRUMENTAL TEACHER

I started playing the clarinet at the age of eleven and studied at the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatoire in Milan.

After graduating in 1990 I performed as a freelancer with various Ensembles and Orchestras including the RAI Symphony Orchestra and La Scala Theatre in Milan. Alongside performing I started teaching clarinet and saxophone.

In 1998 I moved to London to undertake further studies and I have been employed with the CMS since 2002.

basil hodge

INSTRUMENTAL TEACHER

My interest in music started at primary school. I went on to have private classical piano lessons from a local teacher. I then moved on to have Jazz lessons with Jazz Pianist/Composer Tim Richards from 1986 – 1989 and rounded off my training at Goldsmiths College London in 1991. As well as teaching, I work as a freelance Jazz Pianist, Composer and Bandleader. I have performed at Ronnie Scotts, Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth, The National Theatre, Jazz Festivals and numerous Jazz clubs throughout the UK.

RICCARDO CASTELLANI

INSTRUMENTAL TEACHER

I am a London-based drummer, percussionist, composer, producer and educator with a rich and diverse background in music. Originally from Rome, I began my musical journey at 14 and graduated with a BA Hons in Jazz Music from Conservatorio Licinio Refice in 2010. I have also studied Latin Percussion in Cuba, Flamenco Percussion in Spain, Konnakol in South India, SoundPainting in France.

I have performed at prestigious international festivals such as Glastonbury, Edinburgh Fringe, Buskers Bern, Angers Int, Crosslinx and SudTirol Jazz Festival. As an educator, I have spent over 2 decades teaching in various settings, including music services, special needs schools and colleges, as well as leading workshops

JOE HERBERT

INSTRUMENTAL TEACHER

I started playing guitar at age 10, teaching myself pop songs and then beginning classical guitar lessons. I continued these lessons until I took my grade 8 exam, all the while teaching myself rock and jazz guitar. I now am primarily a jazz guitarist, and I love performing creative and exciting music with friends and connecting with audiences. A recent proud moment was performing my original music in the London Jazz Festival last year, which I will be doing again this year.

SAM STOKES

INSTRUMENTAL TEACHER

I am a graduate from Huddersfield University and Trinity Laban conservatoire of music and dance. I first mentioned the idea of learning the trombone to my parents on holiday at the age of 7 – and I’ve been playing ever since! Some of my proudest moments are performing in concert venues like Wigmore hall and the Royal Albert Hall, and touring China with an orchestra.

JO MILNE

Primary curriculum lead

I started my musical journey learning the recorder and guitar in Primary school. In Secondary school I had the opportunity to learn another instrument. I thought I had ticked the box for the Clarinet so was quite surprised in my first lesson when a Cello appeared! I’m very glad though as the cello is a beautiful instrument!

MAXINE DAVIES

INSTRUMENTAL TEAM LEAD

I played the recorder at Primary School and then I moved on to learn the oboe, having my first lesson the day before my 11th birthday.  I won a Music Award aged 14 enabling me to play in the borough bands and orchestras and played in the Schools Prom at the RAH.

I read Music at Manchester University and did a PGCE after that and have taught music ever since.

LIZZIE KITTO

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

My name is Lizzie. I am the Business Development Manager for the CMS and also a dancer.

I started dancing at age 3 and never stopped performing or teaching but at the CMS, I have the privilege of working with our musicians and many external partners to provide the best opportunities to young artists in our area.

JOHN KINGSCOTT

INSTRUMENTAL TEACHER

I first started learning the cornet with a local brass band. When I moved to secondary school I persuaded my parents to let me try the saxophone… and I’ve been trying ever since.

I attended Trinity College of Music, studying with the English National Opera’s Hale Hambleton and jazz saxophonist Stan Sultzmann.

I have been teaching for the borough for over 20 years, mostly woodwind, but occasionally anything from piano to trumpet!

VLADI VLADOVA

INSTRUMENTAL TEACHER

I started playing the violin at the age of 5 and the viola at the age of 8.

I began my studies at L.Pipkov School of Music, Sofia, Bulgaria and completed my higher education at Guilhall School of Music and Drama, London, UK. I have toured in Europe and USA with various ensembles and have recorded for the BBC. I currently perform as a member of a String quartet on top of a striving teaching career. 

Anna Slobodyanyuk

INSTRUMENTAL TEACHER

My name is Anna and I am a concert pianist.

I have been learning the piano since the age of 6 and went through rigorous musical training, achieving a Master’s in Piano Performance and Music Education.

Though I have always loved playing the piano, deep down, my passion has always been teaching. I started young and had my first student at the age of 17. Since then, I have taught many children and adults and continue to do so.

I hope that through my teaching, more students will find a love for music. I know that some are already making it a part of their lives, while others are pursuing it as their career.

I feel privileged to be able to make a difference in the lives of the children of Barking and Dagenham by working at the Community Music Service.