Experienced music teachers - all highly qualified and approved, also vetted to our exacting standards

Keyboard Department (Piano)

Helen Curtis
Helen Curtis’ students regularly achieve merits and distinctions in exams. She focuses largely on classical repertoire but also includes a variety of other styles including Cuban Salsa, folk, popular and free improvisation.

Ian Lenihan
Ian Lenihan is an accomplished piano teacher; performer and accompanist and enjoys teaching all styles from beginner to advanced with all age groups.

Sue Miller
Sue Miller is an experienced teacher; lecturer and performer (bandleader of Charanga del Norte), and has also directed Cuban Music Big Bands at the Yorkshire College of Music and Drama, LCM and the University of Leeds. She is also a part-time lecturer in Cuban, Popular and World Music at Leeds University. Sue teaches from beginner to grade 8 level in jazz and classical music (ABRSM. Trinity Guildhall exam boards) for flute, saxophone and piano and is particularly interested in teaching improvisation.

Mike Rodgers
Mike Rodgers has 19 years of experience in both Sacred and secular music making. With five years of teaching experience, he enjoys teaching people of all ages and abilities, from complete beginners up to grade 8, including music theory up to grade 6. He is also happy to help lapsed players regain their skills and achieve their personal goals.

Simon Siddol
Simon Siddol teaches piano; composition and song writing; skills for bands, Cubase Reason and Sibelius wizardry, and inner Musicianship - his own synthesis of various mind/body practices which remove performing nerves, accelerate focus, learning and memory, and eradicate bad habits quickly and effectively from beneath the conscious mind of the musician.

Sean Smith
Sean Smith has been teaching classical and popular music styles on piano and electric keyboard since 1992, preparing pupils for exams and encouraging pupils to play for pleasure, through a range of varied and exciting repertoire. Sean also offers tuition on the electronic organ and double bass.

Singing Department

Margaret Dawson
Miss Margaret Dawson has been connected with the College both as a student and tutor in excess of 50 years. She studied with the late Victor Halliwell the principal of the former Leeds College of Music. On his decease Margaret continued her studies with the late Derek Blackwell on whos death she succeeded as a tutor of singing. Margaret is also currently a tutor representative on the board of trustees.

Tim Knight
As a composer of international repute and Choral Director with a long association with many Northern choirs, Tim brings his wide range of experience and knowledge to the post of Principal at the College. Tim teaches singing in a variety of styles and his pupils have gone on to careers in the musical world, both classical and musical theatre. He also teaches theory and is responsible for the direction and planning of the College’s activities.

Alla Shumova
Alla Shumova attained her degree in Musical Education in St Petersburg, Russia. She has performed in a number of countries with a choir and as a solo performer. Alla teaches varies styles of music such as classical, pop, jazz, opera and musical theatre. Alla is friendly, patient and is committed to teaching and performing music.

Theory Department

Nick Williams
Nick Williams recently obtained his PhD in composition at Huddersfield University, in November 2009, where he lectures part-time in composition, harmony and analysis. He has played all genres of music from free jazz to punk to contemporary music and can offer tuition in the ABRSM theory grades (especially grades 5 to 8) as well as for AS and A level music.

Woodwind Department

Louise Curtis
Louise Curtis has over 10 years teaching experience and welcomes students of all ages and levels wishing to learn this beautiful instrument. Her affair with the Oboe/Cor Anglais began aged 11 from where she progressed to majoring in performance and composition at the University of Huddersfield.
Louise’s solo, ensemble and orchestral experience spans a range of repertoire and genres from the purity of the Baroque oboe sound to music by contemporary composers of the day such as Tan Dun in addition to several years performing live with Cuban band ‘Los Altibajos’. Whilst focusing mainly on classical repertoire, Louise is keen to promote the alternative improvisatory sound of the oboe, which can be heard in a wealth of musical genres from progressive rock to folk, jazz and world music.

Donal Donnelly
Multi-instrumental, Donal Donnelly plays flute, clarinet, piano and saxophone and teaches saxophone individually and also in groups at the College.

Dan Gibson
Dan Gibson took up the clarinet at the age of 10, having been inspired by the classical playing of Jack Brymer and the excitement of the big band leaders Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw. He began his professional career with the Grenadier Guards’ Band, taking part in numerous TV and radio recordings, broadcasts and all the ceremonial occasions. He is currently working as a freelance clarinettist and teacher in Leeds, and is a regular member of various orchestras and chamber ensembles, including the Alan Cuckson Trio and the Amici Ensemble. Despite his love of jazz, his teaching is classical in style and does not involve improvisation. All standards from complete beginner to diploma are welcome.

Michael Landa
Michael Landa BA, LTCL trained as a teacher at Bretton Hall College of Education and subsequently enjoyed a career spanning thirty years, working in primary, middle and high schools. As a qualified recorder teacher, he is experienced in teaching students of all ages, preparing students for exams and training recorder ensembles, large and small. Michael performs regularly as a soloist at the Leeds Music Club and has written and composed Make Music Now (Peacock Press), an elementary course for the home and school.

Sue Miller
See above

Hazel Smith
Hazel Smith teaches the flute and coaches the College’s Flute Group. She welcomes all abilities and ages - from 8 years old to adults. She teaches all styles and students can learn for fun or prepare for grade exams. Hazel also teaches at The Grammar School at Leeds and plays flute and piccolo in several local ensembles.

Strings Department

Rod Taylor
A graduate of Leeds College of Music, Rod Taylor has worked as a violin teacher for the past 15 years. He teaches primarily classical violin, but has a broad interest in many styles of violin playing. He has performed for the Queen; a Prime Minister; Prince Andrew and the cast of Emmerdale. He also works as an Artist in Residence at St Leonard’s Hospice, York.

Paul Moxon

Guitar Department

Themis Gikopoulos
Themis Gikopoulos has over fifteen years of playing and teaching experience and holds a Masters in Jazz Guitar Performance from Leeds College of Music. He welcomes students at any level interested in Rock; Blues; Acoustic and World styles as well as Theory; Harmony; Song-writing and Improvisation.

Paul Martin
As a teaching; performing, guitarist/composer of a fantastically diverse instrument, Paul taps into classical; flamenco, Latin and Gypsy jazz to guide his pupils on their chosen paths through classical grades, Rock School or for pleasure. Enjoy, improvise and be creative.

Ruth Wilde
Ruth Wilde (BA Hons, Mmus), is an experienced teacher of guitar, bass guitar, and double bass, offering tuition in pop, rock, folk and jazz for all ages and abilities. Her pupils have a 100% pass rate in Rockschool grade exams. Ruth regularly plays live in a number of bands.

Drama Department

Joanna Gawthorpe
Joanna Gawthorpe has worked as a professional actress in a variety of guises including: Theatre in Education, for TV and as a role player. Joanna teaches the musical theatre group at the College.

Alexander Technique

Alma Goodall
Alma Goodall has taught the Alexander Technique at the College from 2002 after graduating at ‘The North of England Teaching Centre for the F.M. Alexander Technique’, having done a S.T.A.T. three year full time course. She is also a fully qualified school teacher. Anyone who wants help with pain relief, performance, stress, confidence or posture is welcome, whatever their age or background.