Harrison Bennett - Brass (all instruments)

Harrison has 1.5 years peripatetic teaching experience with the Stockport Schools Brass Band. He also works in the RNCM Engage scheme and has completed work experience with the Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust. 

Arabella Stevenson - Piano, Music Theory

Arabella has performed at several school events and concerts. She teaches up to grade 8 ABRSM piano and grade 5 music theory.

Stella Vollum - Singing

Stella is a classical singer with five years’ training in both choral and solo fields, as well as over five years’ experience in teaching young people.

Skye Cheung - Piano

Teaches up to grade 6 standard. Skye completed her ABRSM grade 8 at the age of 11 and received full marks with diploma level repertoire in her A-Level Music final performance.

Babak Kowsari - Piano

Babak has over 8 years of experience teaching piano to students of different ages, levels, and backgrounds, both privately and in music institutions. Babak focuses on developing strong technical foundations and expressive musical understanding based on student’s needs.

Peter Xu - Piano

Peter has completed his ABRSM Grade 8 Piano, passing with distinction.

Joseph Watson - Violin, Composition

Joseph is a third-year violinist and composer. He has formerly held positions as leader of the Junior Trinity Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Andrew Morley, as well as leader of the Enfield Youth Symphony Orchestra (2021-2023) and leader of the Trinity Composers’ Ensemble. He has appeared as a guest player with the Manchester Philharmonic Orchestra, Taraneh Orchestra, Hive Sinfonia, Harpenden Sinfonia and is a founding member of the Cosmo Quartet in Manchester. He has performed in major venues across the UK, including Cadogan Hall and the Royal Festival Hall. In his teaching, he draws on both his classical training and Scottish folk background, encouraging a personal approach to the instrument, aiming to help each student find their own unique voice as a musician.

Also active as a composer, Joseph trained with Leo Geyer, receiving the Junior Trinity Prize for Composition in 2023. Actively receiving commissions from ensembles like CoMA and premieres from London youth orchestras, Joseph is also a dedicated pedagogue. His teaching philosophy centres on developing confidence and creativity with a deep connection to musical expression.

R Upton-Wheeler - Drum Kit, Percussion

R has achieved Grade 8 with Distinction. They have both ensemble and session recording experience as well as prior teaching experience.

Alex Harwood - Saxophone, Clarinet

Alex has Grade 8’s in both Saxophone and Clarinet and has spent 2 years studying saxophone at UoM. He has lots of experience in contemporary music but also a strong working knowledge of the staples of sax repertoire and the studies to go alongside. Alex has previously run music workshops in primary schools and has experience working with the Suffolk County Music Trust.

Maya Qassim - Piano

Maya is a first study Pianist in her third year undergraduate at UoM.

Helena Urbaniak - Flute, Piano, Music Theory

Helena is a first study flautist in her 2nd year of Music at UoM. She passed ABRSM grade 8 piano also and would be comfortable teaching music theory to A-Level standard.