We are a small team of talented professional musicians with a wide range of skills and experience. We love what we do, and we do it with passion. We look forward to working with you and your children.
Greg regularly performs in a variety of ensembles and is a very popular teacher and accompanist at the music school.
He sets high standards but has a very calm and contemporary approach with his students.
To contact Greg, email: harrogatemusicschool@gmail.com
What inspired you to become a music teacher?
I began piano lessons from an early age and carried on through my teens, but the lessons never really clicked with me – I practised daily, learned the notes, but never felt engaged with the music itself. Things changed when I started jazz lessons as a teenager. My new teacher was not only an excellent musician but also made lessons exciting, creative, and inspiring. That experience gave me the confidence to approach music differently, and later even helped me get more out of my classical lessons. Along the way, other teachers and musicians also unlocked new aspects of music for me, showing how important it is for students to develop both understanding and enjoyment. That’s something I aim to pass on in my own teaching.
What instruments do you teach?
I mainly teach piano, but my lessons often branch into composition, improvisation, and music theory, depending on each student’s interests and goals.
What experience do you bring to your teaching?
Since graduating from Leeds College of Music (now Leeds Conservatoire) in 2011, I’ve been teaching piano almost full-time. I’ve worked with a wide range of students, from beginners to advanced players preparing for exams, auditions, or performances. I also perform regularly, which keeps me active as a musician and feeds back into my teaching.
What styles of music do you teach?
I cover classical, jazz, and popular music, as well as a range of other styles such as blues, gospel, Latin, and film music. I enjoy helping students understand the key features of each style and how to approach them at the piano.
What do you enjoy most about teaching music?
I love the problem-solving side of teaching – finding creative ways to help each student overcome challenges in their own way. It’s incredibly rewarding to see students grow in skill and confidence over time, and to watch them develop as musicians in their own right.
What advice would you give to someone starting out with music?
Listen widely and often – hearing different styles and performers gives you ideas and inspiration. Regular practice is important, but it doesn’t always have to mean hours at the piano; even short, focused sessions can make a big difference. Playing with other musicians is also hugely valuable, whether that’s in a band, a school ensemble, or just with friends – it helps you learn to listen, adapt, and enjoy a shared interest. Progress can take time, so patience and consistency are just as important as enthusiasm.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not teaching?
Outside of lessons, I enjoy performing – whether that’s in wedding bands, theatre productions, or tribute shows. Away from music, I spend time coding and working on programming projects. I enjoy the logical, puzzle-like side of coding, which isn’t too far removed from how I think about music
Anything you think relevant, such as your aims when teaching etc.
My goal is to make learning the piano enjoyable and meaningful for each student. Whether aiming for exams, playing for fun, or exploring composition and improvisation, I want students to feel challenged and supported in their musical journey. I also encourage them to listen widely, think creatively, and find their own musical voice. Above all, I hope to give students the same experience I was fortunate to have myself: learning music in a way that is engaging, rewarding, and personal.
Sam’s energy, drive, enthusiasm and support for her students is legendary. There’s really no surprise that our string department is flourishing with Sam in charge.
To contact Sam, email: harrogatemusicschool@gmail.com
What inspired you to become a music teacher?
This is probably more WHO inspired me to become a music teacher, rather than what. I was very fortunate to have some amazing music teachers in my life, instrumental and classroom. I loved music and knew that I wanted it to be something that I continued with in some form or other. I loved what my instrumental teachers did, some teaching, some playing, some singing. Traveling to different places, playing all sorts of different repertoire and genres, and also making lots of friends. No two days are the same, and it can therefore never be dull or boring!
What instruments do you teach?
Cello is my main instrument but I teach all of the strings to varying levels, Double bass up to and around grade 6. Violin and Viola up to grade 5. I have in very desperate times, shortage of a teacher, taught piano and singing too! Most of my students don’t know that at one time it was a decision between voice and cello!
What experience do you bring to your teaching?
Too many years to mention now. Flexibility in every approach as every student is different. A ridiculous library of music, which my students see when they come to ‘the shed!’ An understanding of what pieces and genres of music are going to work for each student. Finally the ability to still be a child and see things through a young persons eyes, because I still am, at heart anyway!
What styles of music do you teach?
Predominantly the music I teach follows most western classical music styles, from Bach to Berlioz, BUT, the current access to pop music and the good arrangements that can be found online, with amazing play along backing tracks, means that it’s easy to add that in to my teaching bag of tricks. Don’t ask me about Jazz or Improvisation though, still a long way from having any kind of secure knowledge in those areas to be able to teach them proficiently!
What do you enjoy most about teaching music?
The happiness and joy it brings. When a student finally ‘gets’ a difficult passage, or nails a tricky run. When everything comes together in an ensemble and you can feel the pride coming from the students. When you see friendships and relationship blossoming between students, all because of music. Seeing a student grow and develop as a person and how music fits into that development.
What advice would you give to someone starting out with music?
Love it! If you don’t love it, you wont do it. If you’re starting on an instrument, listen to the instrument, find someone who you think is cool playing the instrument. The internet lets you access all things music now at the touch of a button, so do more than just play your instrument, open your ears and eyes to all things music. Enjoy it!
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not teaching?
When I’m not teaching or doing Music, does that ever happen, as it seems to be in every part of my day? Writing these answers now, there is music on in the background, of something I am working on with an orchestra. Subliminal learning! If I want to completely clear my head, then I go to the gym, (no headphones or music as I need to concentrate on not being sick, falling off the treadmill, and generally making myself look like a crazy lady with no coordination between her arms and legs) I go out walking, I bake cakes, (hence the gym requirement)
Anything you think relevant, such as your aims when teaching etc
My teaching aim, is to give everyone access to music that wants it, and to help them achieve their best, whatever that may be. Every student is different, but everyone shares one thing, a love of music, so that is always a good start, and the first block on which to build strong music foundations.
Profile coming soon…
Profile coming soon…
Profile coming soon…
Andy Kemp GDLM PGCE, George Farrar, Stephanie Yaple BA Mus Ed & Perf. MA Curric. & Instruction, Alex Moor BA (Hons) Music, Stef Frazer BA PGDip, Cherie Gears BA (Hons), Natalie Sinnott BMus Hons. PGDip. LRAM, Helen Dawson, Dominika Resinska HNC Music BMus (Hons), Jake Whitehouse Leeds Coll Music Diploma of Higher Ed. Jazz, Katie Jarvis, Tom Jansen BMus (Hons), David Darling BA QTS, Katie Vedder, Josh Stephen BA (Hons), Euan Crombie BA Mus (Hons) MA Mus Ed, Eve Creighton BA Hons Music Jazz Perf & Rebecca Meenagh.
If you are an enthusiastic and skilled teacher with a passion for music education and ideas of how your skillset might add to ours, please make contact. We’re always interested in trying out new ideas.
Email us: harrogatemusicschool@gmail.com
