Piano
Agnieszka Zimniak
Individual piano teacher at York Music Centre.
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Our people
Music education is built by people.
Meet the teachers, musicians and staff whose skill, care and local knowledge help young people begin, belong and progress through music.
A skilled local workforce
Experience worth protecting.
York Music Education is York's largest employer of specialist music teachers. Their expertise makes high-quality provision possible today and protects musical opportunity for future generations.
Our team
Different specialists. One shared purpose.
Working together across leadership, operations, instrumental and vocal tuition, ensembles, schools and inclusive music-making.
Brass
Andy Hillier
Brass specialist and Leeds College of Music jazz graduate.
Voice
Angus Williams
Musician and teacher who has supported York Music Education in several roles.
Woodwind
Ash Strowger
Inclusive woodwind specialist committed to making music accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
York Youth Orchestra Conductor
Ben Crick
Former BBC Music Fellow who conducts orchestras across the UK and Europe.
Early Years
Bethan Kelly
Early Years specialist who supports Junior Strings and the I Can Play! team.
Drums
Caspar Haslam
Drum and percussion tutor at York Music Centre and in private practice.
Cello
Catherine Strachan
Modern and baroque cello specialist and experienced performer.
Double bass & bass guitar
Christian Topman
Double bass and bass guitar teacher who also leads York Music Centre Big Band.
Drums
Clark Howard
Drummer and teacher with a lifelong enthusiasm for music and performance.
Brass
Connor McLean
Trumpet specialist working with York Youth Orchestra.
Strings
Dan Hands
String teacher with more than 25 years of experience in secondary education.
Director & keyboard
Dan Hield
Leads York Music Education, manages the music education work delivered in schools, and plays keyboard.
Violin & piano
Elaine Wallace
Teacher with qualifications in Music, Education and Music Therapy and broad educational experience.
Strings & recorder
Imogen Clarke
Violin, viola and recorder teacher working at York Music Centre and in primary and secondary schools.
Bassoon & oboe
Isabel Dowell
Woodwind specialist whose musical journey began with recorder, flute, bassoon and piano.
Guitar
Jake Adams
Composer, guitarist, gamelan player, researcher and teacher based in York.
Woodwind
Jessica Freitas
Woodwind teacher supporting Whole Class Ensemble Tuition in York schools.
Operations Manager & oboe
Jill Garside
Manages York Music Centre, including its ensembles and individual tuition, and teaches oboe.
Conductor
John Atkin
Conductor with extensive experience of theatre productions and orchestral concerts.
Multi-instrumentalist
John Haslam
Teacher of several instruments, including drums and guitar.
Piano, singing & choir leader
Dr Jon Hughes
Piano and singing teacher at York Music Centre, and choir leader.
Piano
Kacie Rickells
Piano and keyboard teacher with undergraduate and postgraduate training in musical leadership.
Voice
Katie Wood
Soprano and vocal tutor experienced in teaching singers of all ages and abilities.
Associate woodwind tutor
Lesley Schatzberger
Clarinet specialist working regularly with York Youth Orchestra.
Piano
Lindita Simaku
Piano teacher and graduate of the Tirana Academy of Fine Arts.
Piano & violin
Lizzie Mackle
Experienced piano and violin teacher with a joint honours degree in Music and English.
Strings
Marcus Bousfield
Violin specialist trained at Chetham’s School of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Percussion
Michael Armitage
Versatile percussionist and drummer working across a wide range of musical styles.
Piano, woodwind & theory
Nichola O’Connell
Teacher of woodwind, piano and music theory at York Music Centre.
Strings
Dr Nina Kumin
Leader of Minster Minstrels and a Whole Class Ensemble Tuition teacher.
Strings
Sarah Loughran
Intermediate String Orchestra conductor and folk ensemble leader.
Guitar
Tom Andrews
Experienced guitar teacher and leader with SEND experience.
Your next step
Could your experience help York's young musicians?
We welcome conversations with skilled teachers and musicians who share our commitment to inclusive, high-quality music education.