Music Tuition

Vocal Tuition

Ben Bickley

Contact: Ben_bickley@icloud.com

Ben Bickley studied at Leeds College of Music, where he graduated with a first-class BA (Hons) in Popular music vocals. Having been an avid Musical Theatre fanatic both before and during his studies, he continues to pursue both aspects of teaching and performing in each field. After his time at university, he started teaching as a freelance vocal coach, and regularly teaches in various theatres and colleges in West Yorkshire, including Leeds Playhouse and Theatre Royal Wakefield. As he continues to pursue his own performing career, he remains up to date with performance technique and continues to ameliorate his wealth of knowledge of technique.

Clarinet, Flute and Saxophone Tuition

Jess Freitas

Contact: jfreitasmusic@gmail.com

Hi, My name is Miss Freitas and I am a single reed woodwind and music theory tutor at AHS. I have been teaching the clarinet, flute and saxophone since I was 16 and love sharing my passion for music with others. I teach at school on Thursday mornings and my lessons take place in the recording studio.

I like to encourage pupils to explore a range of genres of music, ranging from contemporary/modern, classical and jazz, and help pupils to work through the ABRSM exams if they desire to. I’m also a big fan of musical theatre and teach singing at the weekends. I am available to teach music theory to any pupil who may need it. I look forward to meeting you and having fun playing music together.

Singing, Keyboard and Piano Tuition

John Croyle

Contact: johncroylemusic@gmail.com

John Croyle has been teaching singing, keyboard and piano in York schools since 2000 and is on York Music Hub’s Approved Teachers Register.  He has successfully prepared many students for singing and keyboard exams with both the Associated Board and Trinity Guildhall. He has Master’s degrees in music from Edinburgh University and the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.  He also holds a PGCE from York St John University. John sings professionally with the Choir of York Minster and has been Music Director of churches in Ripon and Edinburgh.  He has also worked as a pianist in hotels and cafes in Yorkshire and Scotland.

Guitar Tuition

Henry Bird

Contact: Henryhbird@icloud.com

Henry is a guitarist who has been playing professionally for over 15 years. During this time he has toured the world in various bands and theatre shows. Alongside his live and recording work, Henry has also spent 15 years as a guitar teacher, and enjoys passing on his experience of becoming a gigging musician onto the next generation of aspiring guitarists.

Guitar Tuition

Mark Currey

Contact: purplebuffalomusic@gmail.com

Mark Currey is a Spanish/Classical Guitar specialist with more than two decades of teaching experience. He holds a BMus(Hons) Special Honours in Music degree from the University of Birmingham, and Associateship in Guitar Recital from Trinity College of Music. He is a soloist and a member of York Guitar Quartet.  His numerous music publications include the best-selling series ‘Solo Pieces for Acoustic Guitar’. His compositions are included in exam syllabuses for London College of Music and the University of South Africa. Mark says: “It is a huge privilege for me to introduce so many young people to the joys of making music. Some of my former pupils have become professional musicians (I go to their gigs and buy their CDs!) but, whether playing guitar is an ambition or just a hobby, it is my aspiration that all of my pupils will love making music and will be equipped with skills that will last a lifetime.”

Bass Guitar and Double Bass Tuition

John Marley

Contact: john@johnmarleymusic.com

John Marley is an experienced bass guitarist and double bass player who has performed extensively in a wide variety of styles. As a performer, he has worked with some of the finest jazz musicians in the UK. John also performs regularly in the theatre and plays as a session bassist for various pop artists. John has over 10 years of teaching experience in schools and universities and is currently studying for a PhD at The University Of York. His current qualifications include a BA (Hons) Degree in Jazz Studies, an MA in Music and an LLCM in Jazz Guitar.

Electric and Acoustic Guitar Tuition

Alan Morrison

Contact: Alanmorrison@hotmail.com

Al has been teaching Electric and Acoustic guitar for the last 25 years and at Archbishop Holgate’s school since 2005. Al was awarded a scholarship to study at Leeds College of Music and gained a BA Hons in Jazz. He also studied Jazz Guitar at Trinity Laban in Greenwich London. Al plays with the New York Brass Band and has played all over Europe at many festivals including Glastonbury, Cork Jazz Festival, Bilbao Rock Festival. Al has also performed with many well-known musicians. In 2019 Al was awarded the most supportive Teacher award at St John’s University. Al teaches Rock, Jazz, Blues, Funk, Country styles and also uses the Rockschool grades if students want to take a qualification. Al is also the owner/Director of Rockgodacademy. Many of Al’s students have gone on to become professional musicians.

Flute Tuition

Carolyn Amos

Contact: carolynamos@hotmail.co.uk

Carolyn came to York to study music and then went on to do a diploma in flute performance. For the last 25 years she has run a successful teaching practice where she has passed on her love of performance and the flute to pupils of all ages and abilities. Carolyn is very enthusiastic and encouraging and believes that learning should be fun and tailored to the individual student.

Violin and Viola Tuition

Marcus Bousfield

Contact: Marcus.bousfield@btinternet.com

Marcus studied Violin with Haroutune Bedelian at Chethams school of Music in Manchester and with Erika Klemperer at the Guildhall School of Music in London. He studied Guitar with Fred T. Baker at the Birmingham Conservatoire of Music. He has worked as a freelance musician in both this country and abroad travelling as far afield as South Africa. He has been an instrumental teacher in York for over 20 years and plays with several ensembles and orchestras including the English National Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra. He has performed with renowned international artists, including soprano Angel Blue, tenor Alfie Boe and Classic FM’s presenter and singer of the Snowman theme tune Aled Jones.

He has written and recorded string parts for groups including Ben Bruce (Asking Alexandria) and Shed Seven. His quartet performed for the Queen on her visit to York and has appeared on BBC Television and Radio. He conducts the York Youth String Orchestra and is the string tutor for York Youth Symphony Orchestra. His pupils have been members of the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain, National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and have gone on to study music at Chetham’s School of Music and on to music college. His previous pupils have gone on to become professional musicians in both teaching, performing and record producing. Marcus holds an Associate of Trinity College London. He is listed on the City of York Council’s Approved Teachers Register and is a tutor for York Arts Education.

Piano Tuition

Ben Hopkinson

Contact: benhopkinsonmusictuition@gmail.com

I’m a multi-instrumentalist and have taught piano at AHS since 2020. Whether a pupil wants to work through their ABRSM grades or learn in a more casual manner, my lessons are relaxed and fun. I tailor my lessons to each individual pupil, and always take their interests and goals into account. I’m passionate about many kinds of music, and have worked with pupils on an array of different genres – classical, pop, jazz and hip-hop to name a few. I also have a lot of experience working with young people with special education needs. Since 2018, I have lead the Middlesbrough Open Orchestra, an ensemble for young people with SEND. I also lead music workshops for Accessible Arts and Media and 25k in Redcar.

Composition, song writing and performing are also huge passions of mine. I have composed pieces for radio and short film, and perform both solo and in several original bands on piano and saxophone. Creating music as well as teaching it is at the heart of what I do, and I always encourage my pupils to actively engage in music-making. Music has been my absolute passion for as long as I can remember. Having the opportunity to help educate, influence and inspire the next generation of musicians is truly a great privilege, and something that I care very deeply about.

Piano Tuition

Buffy Breakwell

Contact: buffy9@nora.clara.co.uk

Buffy is an experienced instrumental teacher and classroom practitioner. She has successfully tutored students through hundreds of music exams,  from pre-Grade 1 to Grade 8 and beyond, in piano and woodwind, both in the UK and abroad. As well as instrumental lessons, Buffy has 25 years’ experience in Music Education, having trained at the Universities of Sussex and Cambridge. She has taught piano to students throughout this time, as well as delivering curriculum Music in both primary and secondary schools. Buffy also works as a community musician in York, leading choirs and workshops for all ages and abilities. Buffy is on the City of York Council’s Approved Teacher List.

Woodwind and Piano Tuition

Amy Lacy

Contact: amy.l.music@gmail.com

My name is Amy Lacy and I have been teaching in York schools for over 15 years. I teach woodwind and piano in both primary and secondary schools. I have grade 8 in all the instruments I teach alongside a degree in music and City and Guild teaching qualifications. To continue my musical development I play saxophone in a jazz quartet as well as participate in musical theatre shows around York. I tailor all my lessons to the individual student and would guide them on the most appropriate path for their needs. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions relating to starting lessons. I am very excited to be starting at Archbishop Holgate School this term.

Brass Tuition

Connor McLean

Contact: connormcleantrumpet@gmail.com

Since graduating with an MA in Music from the University of York in 2018, Connor has been teaching brass and working as a freelance trumpeter. As a performer, he has played at a variety of venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall and York Minster. His most recent festival performances have been with the New York Brass Band at Glastonbury (2022), Cork Jazz Festival (2021) and Rio Carnival (2020). Connor also plays in pit orchestras and bands for musical theatre, and is the founder of the York Brass Quintet.

Drum Tuition

Gordon Kilroy

Contact: gordonkilroy@hotmail.com

Hi, my name is Mr Kilroy and I am a music tutor at AHS. I have been teaching the drums professionally for thirty years. I teach at school on Mondays and my lessons take place in the recording studio. I like to encourage pupils to explore a range of genres of music, ranging from contemporary/modern, rock, Latin American and jazz, and help pupils to work through the Trinity or Rock School exams if they desire to.

I trained at the City of Leeds College of Music (CLCM) where I gained a BA Hons in Jazz. Since then I have performed in bands and orchestras and have played for Corinne Bailey-Rae, Rhianna, Tina May, Todd Gordon, Peter Grant, Juliet Roberts, Snake Davis, NYJO, Jakki Graham and Keith Allen. I have also enjoyed supporting Chaka Kahn, Jamiroquai, Georgie Fame, Odyssey, Lonnie Smith, Corduroy, Jose James, Right Said Fred and the Venga Boys. My current venture is a band called The Electrio which has recorded an album that was released earlier this year.”

Drum Tuition

Michael Armitage

Contact: michaelarmitagepercs@gmail.com

Starting drum kit aged 7, Michael got hooked on performing, playing AC/DC in a band he made at the start of secondary school. Moving into brass banding he played in his local brass bands until he got to a point where he played at the Royal Albert hall in the Championship Section finals with Woodfalls Silver Band. In this time he has also played with the National Youth Wind Ensemble and various county ensembles. He has also performed with various orchestras professionally, as well as doing pit work and becoming a musical director for a production of Return To The Forbidden Planet. Having completed his undergraduate degree, he continued on to study an MA in percussion at the Leeds Conservatoire. Michael now performs professionally across the country in a variety of ensembles.