Meet the Team

Andrew Gould (he/him) – Violin

Andrew started his musical training on the violin at the age of six, learning with Lucy Akehurst using the Suzuki method, and playing for many local ensembles.  He gained Grade 8 Violin with Distinction at the age of 14.

He gained a Masters degree in Music Performance at the Royal Northern College of Music from 2018 to 2020, studying with the renowned teacher Yair Kless and absorbing his ideas, as well as with Steven Wilkie.  Before that he took his undergraduate degree at Birmingham Conservatoire from 2011 to 2015, studying with Ulla Benz and David Le Page.  He gained a considerable amount of orchestral experience as well as solo and chamber playing, working with the Welsh National Opera and the Manchester Camerata, and has been asked back to Birmingham Conservatoire several times to assist the Symphony Orchestra and the Operatic Department.

Andrew teaches privately and at Telford Music School, as well as for KEBMusicTuition, and previously taught for the Sandwell Music Service, coaching quartets and assisting with orchestral rehearsals.  He combines teaching with playing work in string quartets and orchestras.  He has recently played with ensembles including the Manchester Concert Orchestra, the Northern String Quartet, the English Symphony Orchestra and supporting musicals and operas.

He benefitted greatly from experience acquired in the Birmingham Schools Orchestras, CBSO Youth Orchestra and other local area ensembles, playing a broad repertoire of classical music and developing ensemble skills. He would very much like to encourage and help his pupils to gain similar experiences.

Andrew joined the KEBMusicTuition team in spring 2022 and offers tuition in Violin and Music Theory on Wednesday and Friday afternoons/evenings.

Anthony Pell (he/him) – Guitar (Electric/Acoustic), Bass Guitar

From Melbourne, Australia guitar/bass guitar teacher, Anthony Pell has being teaching for over 12 years and has worked with over 500 students. He uses his diverse musical experience to tailor individual lessons for students of all ages and levels from beginners to advanced guitarists. He also is experienced in teaching the RSL award grades.

Anthony is driven to help people achieve their music and guitar playing goals whether it’s strumming a simple 3 chord song or learning to improvise over complex chord changes. He is dedicated to help students to practice guitar and study music as he himself is a practicing guitarist and student of music. Learning and growing as a musician is an ongoing journey that is part of Anthony’s life.

Influenced by guitarists including Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, John McLaughlin and many others Anthony is always striving to develop his playing and musical knowledge further.

Anthony also teaches bass guitar and has often been hired by bands and artists due to his skills as a bass guitarist. As a bassist he is influenced by Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), James Jamerson, Jaco Pastorius, Stanley Clarke, John Paul Jones and many others. An experienced and diverse bassist Anthony plays funk, blues, jazz, rock, pop and latin music.

When Anthony was 8 he started playing piano and at 13 he discovered rock guitar being inspired by the music of Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Peal Jam and others. Throughout school he played in various rock band while also playing other instruments including drums and saxophone in the school concert band. 

After school he attended La Trobe University, Melbourne completing his Bachelor of Arts (music) studying music theory, composition and sound engineering whilst playing in university jazz big band and various rock bands. Following university he took up playing bass guitar which led to being a bassist for bands playing jazz, wedding, corporate and musical theatre gigs at prominent Melbourne venues The Victorian Arts Centre and Federation Square. 

Anthony joined KEBMusicTuition in the Autumn term of 2023 and offers Guitar tuition on Tuesday afternoons/evenings.

Dominic O’Sullivan – Piano and Woodwind (Clarinet, Saxophone, Oboe, Bassoon, Flute)

Dominic’s musical life began as a clarinettist, though growing up he was keen to learn as many different instruments as possible, beginning lessons on clarinet aged 9, piano at 11, and bassoon at 16. Along the way he taught himself anything else he could get his hands on, and enjoyed singing in several choirs across Cambridge.

In 2017 Dominic won a scholarship to study bassoon at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and specialised in multi-instrumental doubling throughout his degree. He has performed in a wide range of settings on flutes, clarinets, saxophones, oboes, and bassoon, as well as whistles and world flutes. Highlights include performances with the London Musical Theatre Orchestra, working as part of a ceilidh band for weddings and functions, and performances across the Midlands with the Françaix Wind Trio, of which he is a founding member.

Outreach and education work has been a key part of Dominic’s education. He has given workshops across Birmingham, including with the conservatoire’s Learning and Participation (LEAP) ensemble, and performed across the UK with Street Orchestra Live. Dominic is keen to explore the huge range of musical styles and possibilities available across all the instruments he plays and teaches, and enjoys finding different methods of learning to suit every individual.

Dominic now balances teaching with freelance work in musical theatre bands, orchestras, chamber ensembles, and folk groups of all shapes and sizes. In his spare time he sings with the CBSO Chorus and enjoys exploring the UK by bike.

Dominic joined the KEBMusicTuition team in autumn 2021, and offers Woodwind and Piano tuition on Tuesday mornings, Thursday afternoons/evenings and Saturday mornings.

Gerda Kocsis (she/her) – Piano and Double Bass

Gerda is a classical double bassist who started learning the piano first, when she was 7 years old. Hoping to join an orchestra, she started the double bass at the age of 12. She completed her Bachelor’s degree at the Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, Hungary and after getting accepted to the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire with a full scholarship, she moved to the United Kingdom in 2020 to study with Thomas Martin. 

Gerda won first prize at the National Double bass Competition in 2017 and won the prize for the best performance of the obligatory piece. She also won first prize at the International Dittersdorf Double Bass competition in 2019, in Slovakia. After receiving her masters degree in June 2022 she has been freelancing with orchestras such as the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra. Besides orchestral work, and performing solo, she found her passion in teaching. She previously taught at the Georg Solti Music School in Budapest, and after moving to Birmingham she teaches online, having students all over the world from beginner to advanced, university levels, as well as in person at KEBMusicTuition.

Gerda joined KEBMusicTuition in November 2022 and offers Double Bass and Piano tuition on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons/evenings.

Irina Chagunava (she/her) – Piano

Irina Chagunava was born in Tbilisi, Georgia. She began playing the piano at the age of six at Tbilisi Central Music School. After just one year, Irina had an opportunity to play with an orchestra. 

After graduating, Irina continued her education at Tbilisi State Conservatoire in Alexander Garber’s class with the full scholarship of the Government of Georgia. Throughout her studies in the Conservatoire, Irina took part in various concerts and projects. 

In 2019, Irina began to study for a Master’s Degree at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire under Professor John Thwaites and Alasdair Beatson with a full scholarship. During her studies at RBC, she participated in numerous masterclasses, competitions and concerts. She received the John Campbell Prize, the Denis Matthews Memorial Trust Award along with Birmingham City University Maintenance Grant, the Beryl Chempin Beethoven Prize and the RBC Piano Department Prize. In summer 2021, Irina graduated from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire with distinction. 

Before arriving in the UK, Irina gave private piano lessons in Georgia for around three years and had an opportunity to share her knowledge with various students of different ages. From September 2021, she began to work as a piano teacher in the UK. Irina has an experience of working with individuals as well as groups of students of various ages. Her priority as a teacher is to create a friendly and encouraging atmosphere for all of her students and to refine their abilities of piano playing.

Irina joined the KEBMusicTuition team in September 2022 and offers Piano tuition on Sundays and on Monday and Friday afternoons/evenings.

Mary Glasby (she/her; they/them) – Oboe, Beginner Piano

When Mary was nine, her school gave her the chance to learn an instrument, and there was something unique about the Oboe that drew her to it. She loved the beautiful yet distinctive range of sounds an Oboist can make, and since then she hasn’t looked back! At 11, she auditioned for the Birmingham Schools’ Training Wind Band, and moved through the city’s ensemble system to become Principal Oboe in the Birmingham Schools’ Symphony Orchestra. Through this, she’s had the opportunity to play under renowned conductors and at incredible venues, including the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, the Elgar Concert Hall and Birmingham’s Symphony Hall.

Having achieved distinction in her ARSM Performance Diploma and currently studying at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Mary hopes to continue to develop as a musician and gain more experience in teaching and pedagogy. She volunteers at Birmingham Schools’ Concert Band, assisting in tutoring the woodwind section, and delights in sharing her love of music with others.

Mary also offers beginner Piano tuition, and has trained in provision of the Dogs and Birds method for our youngest beginners.

Mary joined the KEBMusicTuition team in September 2022 and offers Oboe and beginner Piano tuition on Saturdays, as well as running our recorder group for children aged 5 to 8 on Saturday afternoons.

Noemi La Barbera (she/her) – Drums

Noemi is a versatile musician and dedicated educator, specializing in drumming across a wide array of genres including pop, rock, indie, alternative, funk, pop punk, punk rock, hip-hop, and R&B. Graduating with honours from Middlesex University in London with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Jazz, Noemi’s expertise extends far beyond the jazz realm.

Having achieved distinction in her music grades, Noemi is not only a skilled performer but also a proficient educator, guiding her students through their own musical journeys and preparing them for music grades with excellence.

Noemi’s musical journey has taken her across the UK, performing in prestigious venues such as the Symphony Hall in Birmingham as part of various tours. With two bands under her belt and a penchant for collaboration with other artists, she thrives in both live performances and studio recordings.

In addition to her performance and teaching endeavours, Noemi brings her wealth of experience in recording to the table, contributing to various projects with her impeccable sense of rhythm and musicality.

With a dynamic range of skills and experiences, Noemi continues to make waves in the music scene, inspiring others with her passion for drumming and dedication to musical excellence.

Noemi joined the KEBMusicTuition team in spring 2024, and offers Drum lessons on Thursdays.

William Hammond (he/him) – Piano and Woodwind

After moving from a small school in the Yorkshire countryside to the rural farming town Driffield, Will had the opportunity to learn an instrument for the first time at the age of 8, thanks to the local music service – he knew immediately that Clarinet was the instrument for him! Will also picked up a few other instruments including Saxophone, Bassoon, Flute, and Piano.

After receiving a first-class honours degree, followed by a Distinction in Instrumental Performance Postgraduate Certificate from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Will is enjoying a varied career as a freelancer. He has recently worked with the Young Musicians
Symphony Orchestra, Hanover Junges Orchester and Cumbria Opera Group, alongside playing for the Welsh National Opera’s outreach project ‘Opera Tutti’ based in the West Midlands. He has a keen interest in the performance and delivery of contemporary music and recently was invited to perform with the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group’s ensemble NEXT.

Will enjoys working with young people to help find a way of learning that best suits them and engages their creativity and discipline.

Will joined the KEBMusicTuition team in Summer 2023 and offers Piano and Woodwind tuition on Tuesday and Friday evenings.

Maximus Rueff (he/him) – Teaching Assistant

Max is a sixth-form student, studying Music, Maths, and Psychology. Music plays a huge part in his life; he is working towards Grade 7 in both Piano and Trumpet, and Grade 6 on the Drum Kit. He is a member of two Birmingham Schools’ Ensembles, as well as three of his school’s own music groups. His particular interest is in the role of music in Film and TV, and he hopes to go on to study this after his A’ Levels.

Max joined the KEBMusicTuition team in autumn 2022 and in his role as a Teaching Assistant, he will be on hand to help out with various administrative tasks as well as providing additional support during individual lessons and group classes. He also offers beginner Trumpet lessons under professional supervision.