Kimberley Bartrum (she/her), Principal

Piano, Flute, Theory, Musicianship

I have been teaching music since 1998, and have been privileged to help more students than I can count to realise their potential and achieve their goals.

I have been building the KEB team since 2015. I love overseeing and supporting these brilliant musicians and educators, as well as leading and collaborating with them for professional development and performance opportunities. I handle most of the admin for the team, so I’m usually students’ initial point of contact, and I’m always on hand, taking responsibility for ensuring that everyone is happy, organised, engaged, and making good progress with their lessons.

I teach piano, flute, and music theory, as well as pre-school musicianship. I can also provide tutoring to help with aural tests and practical musicianship for students who are learning another instrument but need assistance in this area.

I specialise in teaching beginner and intermediate students, and am highly experienced in helping young students take their first musical steps. You’re never too old to enjoy learning to play an instrument, though, and I welcome students of all ages from beginner to diploma level.

Lessons are conducted at my home in Selly Park, Birmingham, at our shop on Stirchley High Street, or online via Zoom.

I am a full member and registered teacher with the Independent (formerly Incorporated) Society of Musicians, adhering to their strong codes of ethics and practice. You can find out more about the ISM at their website. I have an Enhanced DBS Disclosure (formerly CRB) for the purposes of working with children, and I have completed the Child Protection in Education (Music) course, developed by the Musicians’ Union in partnership with EduCare. Committed to continuous professional development and keeping abreast of everything that’s going on in the evolving world of music education, I am also an active member of the Curious Piano Teachers, and EPTA UK, among other wonderful online music communities.

I am delighted to introduce the fabulous teachers that make up our team. Teachers at KEBMusicTuition have professional membership of relevant bodies, Enhanced DBS Disclosures, and training in Child Protection and Safeguarding, as well as ongoing professional development, supervision and mentoring with me and in collaboration with each other.

Amedeo Riccardo Vacirca (he/him) – Piano

Amedeo comes from Catania, Sicily. His love of music started when he was 5 years old. His mother would play the piano during her leisure time at home and he was fascinated by the sound of this instrument. During this time, his mother noticed that for every note she played he was able to pick the correct note by ear. From that moment his musical education began.

Amedeo studied at Vincenzo Bellini Conservatoire in Catania, and achieved a diploma in classical piano performance in 2011 and a BMus(Hons) in 2014. Amedeo has been living and teaching in England since 2016 and took his MMus in Piano Performance in 2021 at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. 

Amedeo says: “I believe in helping students experience the joy of music-making by giving them foundational knowledge and skills to succeed, introducing them to great and inspirational music, and providing continual positive encouragement. Having a solid technical foundation is just as important to me as developing reading skills, but neither of these matters if a student is not having fun along the way. I strive to give my students a well-rounded musical education while also finding the specific aspects of music that make each student come alive.

Also, I believe in getting to know my students and adapting lessons according to their unique learning styles and goals. I don’t use a prescribed “system” but rather tailor each student’s curriculum to them individually.”

Amedeo joined KEBMusicTuition in the Autumn term of 2024 and offers piano tuition on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons/evenings.

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 Monday and Friday afternoons/evenings.

Annabel Chadwick (she/her) – Clarinet and Violin

Annabel grew up on the south coast, taking up the clarinet at the age of 7 and violin at the age of 8. She went on to join the Gosport and Fareham Youth Orchestras at age 8 then later the Hampshire County Youth Orchestra. During her time in these ensembles, Annabel joined them on several tours in Europe, as well as performing at the Royal Albert Hall. She also performed at the Portsmouth Music Festival, obtaining Outstanding for her solo recital, and winning the Zurich Insurance Woodwind Cup. Annabel is currently studying at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire with Douglas Mitchell, Jo Patton, and Sally Harrop. Annabel has worked with Hampshire Music in their Beyond the Beat and Listen 2 Me projects and most recently been involved with Turtle Key Arts in their Turtle Opera project working with SEND children. Annabel is excited to be passing on her enthusiasm and knowledge at KEBMusicTuition.

Annabel joined KEBMusicTuition in spring 2024, and offers clarinet and violin lessons on Wednesday evenings in Selly Park and on Sundays in Stirchley.

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. Since moving to Birmingham Anthony has joined the band “Wired 2 Party” playing bass guitar at public and private events most weekends throughout the West Midlands and beyond. He also regularly gigs playing guitar and siniging with his partner in the acoustic duo “Deuawd Soul.”

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

Betty Thompson (she/her) – Bassoon, Voice, Piano

Betty first started learning the bassoon at age 9, through Birmingham music services, going on to earn a diploma after playing in Birmingham Schools Orchestras throughout secondary school and taking part in several workshops and residentials with the National Youth Orchestra.

She is a recent Cambridge music graduate. During her time there she took bassoon lessons at the Royal Academy of Music, played principal bassoon for the Cambridge University Orchestra as well as various other student orchestras, a wind quintet, and theatre and opera bands.

She sang with CBSO children’s chorus and youth chorus for 10 years, including in Proms concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, and was awarded a choral scholarship at Cambridge, singing in her college choir as well as in musical theatre and several operas.

As well as voice and bassoon, Betty has been playing the piano for a decade and teaches beginner pianists.

Betty joined KEBMusicTuition in the Autumn term of 2025 and offers tuition on Monday afternoons.

Daniel Peev (he/him) – Violin

Daniel was born in the Bulgarian town of Ruse. He began playing the violin at the age of six, receiving tuition from the National Secondary School of Arts “Prof. Veselin Stoyanov”. 

After he graduated, Daniel received a scholarship to continue his studies at Birmingham Conservatoire with Susanne Stanzeleit. He was part of a string quartet between 2008 and 2013 which took part in many masterclasses, including The Wihan Quartet, Dante Quartet, and Takacs Quartet as well as participating in courses and competitions such as Cadenza International Music Summer School and Greenwich International String Quartet Festival in London. 

Daniel was granted with a scholarship to continue his study with Zoë Beyers (BBC Philharmonic Orchestra concertmaster) for the Orchestral Performance course at the Birmingham Conservatoire in collaboration with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. He is now offered regular work with Birmingham Royal Ballet, Royal Shakespeare Company and the London Concert Orchestra. Daniel also played with the London Mozart Players for 18 months.

Daniel joined KEBMusicTuition in summer 2023, and works with students of all ages and abilities on Monday afternoons/evenings.

Dominic O’Sullivan (he/him; they/them) – Piano and Woodwind (Clarinet, Saxophone, Oboe, Bassoon, Recorder, Flute, and folk woodwind)

Dominic is a teacher, performer, improviser, and composer based in Birmingham, where they enjoy the opportunity to draw inspiration from a range of influences from across multiple classical and folk traditions.

Dominic’s musical life began as a clarinettist, beginning lessons on clarinet aged 9, piano at 11, and bassoon at 16, and 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 their degree. Flutes, clarinets, saxophones, oboes, and bassoon, as well as whistles and world folk instruments from a variety of differing traditions are all important parts of their interest and work as a performer.

Outreach and education work has been a key part of Dominic’s development as a professional musician, including giving workshops across Birmingham with the conservatoire’s Learning and Participation (LEAP) ensemble, and performing across the UK with Street Orchestra Live. Dominic is keen to explore the huge range of musical styles and possibilities available across a multitude of instruments, and enjoys finding different methods of learning to suit every individual.

Dominic balances teaching with freelance work in musical theatre bands, orchestras, chamber ensembles, and folk groups of all shapes and sizes. Performing highlights include festival and ceilidh appearances across the UK with bands Juniper and Filkin’s Ensemble, working with the London Musical Theatre Orchestra, and creating music for several contemporary dance and movement productions, including working with live improvised scores.

Dominic joined the KEBMusicTuition team in autumn 2021, and offers woodwind and piano tuition on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturday mornings.

Evan Hunt (he/him) – Acoustic and Electric Guitar

Evan is a passionate guitarist, drummer, frontman, and sound engineer who loves sharing the joy of music with others. Specialising in Rock, Pop and Indie Guitar, Evan brings energy and creativity to every lesson, and he believes all styles have something to offer and welcomes students with any musical taste.

After studying Music Performance in college and achieving Grade 8 guitar, Evan continued to expand his skills through self-directed learning and live performance experience as a lead vocalist and guitarist.

His lessons are fun, supportive, and tailored to each student’s goals – whether that’s learning your first chords, mastering solos, developing techniques, or building confidence to perform.

Evan says: “To me, music is an epic compilation of someone’s creativity, their joy, their truest feelings and their dreams. The feeling you get when you’re in the middle of it all is unlike anything else, whether learning another writer’s music, or creating your own. That’s why I love teaching so much! It’s a chance to share such a wonderful experience with new and upcoming musicians. I hope that through teaching I can help others to achieve their musical dreams too.”

Evan joined the KEBMusicTuition team in 2022 as a Teaching Assistant before stepping into his current role as a guitar teacher in 2024. He offers guitar lessons on Wednesday afternoons/evenings.

Faye Hollingworth (she/her) – Classical and Folk Guitar

Faye is a Classical Guitarist from Rugby, she began her musical journey with Classical Guitar aged 7.  She quickly connected with the fun and engaging approach of her first teacher, who she studied with for eight years. During this time, she became a member of Warwickshire’s Area and County guitar ensembles, developing a love for ensemble playing and performing. Alongside her classical studies, Faye explored acoustic and fingerstyle guitar, gaining experience through group performances, recordings, and concerts. 

In 2019, she auditioned for the National Youth Guitar Ensemble (NYGE) with Mark Ashford and Adam Hickman conducting- during these years she progressed from the Foundation to Camerata ensemble and gained experience taking part in monthly rehearsals, concerts, residentials and being surrounded with like minded young classical guitarists. These inspiring years solidified her desire to pursue guitar at a higher level. In 2021 Faye started her BMus Undergraduate at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, studying under renowned classical guitarists Mark Ashford and Mark Eden. Faye has been a recipient of the Early Prize supported by the Julian Bream Trust for two consecutive years.  By the end of 2024, she joined the NYGE Fellowship, taking part in challenging performances, including premiering new music at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Having completed her undergraduate degree at RBC, Faye will be pursuing a Master’s in Classical Guitar Performance from 2025 to 2027.

Faye joined KEBMusicTuition in February 2025 and offers Guitar tuition on Monday and Tuesday afternoons.

Flora McNicoll (she/her) – Cello

Flora began her training on the cello at the age of eight, and then went on to study at the Junior Royal Academy of Music for five years.

In 2016 she won a scholarship at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where she completed her BMus (Hons) degree, followed by a Postgraduate Certificate, under the tutelage of Matthew Sharp, Peggy Nolan, and Eduardo Vassallo. During this time she won prizes such as the Strings Prize and the MU Bill Warman Award. Flora has been invited to perform in masterclasses with leading cellists such as Raphael Wallfisch, Andrés Diaz, Andrew Schulman, Jian Wang, and Hannah Roberts.

As an avid chamber musician and keen orchestral cellist, Flora has an extensive background in performance across the country.

Teaching is an important part of Flora’s life as a musician. As a cello tutor on the Arco Project for three years, Flora provided tutelage and mentoring for students online in Soweto, South Africa, and in Chennai, India. Flora has also enjoyed teaching for Birmingham Music Service since her graduation, teaching students across the city.

Flora joined the KEBMusicTuition team in September 2022 and teaches on Tuesday afternoons.

Genevieve Hawes (she/her) – Voice, Violin, Piano

Genevieve began her training as a classical singer at the age of seven when she became a chorister at York Minster. During this time she also began piano and violin lessons and after obtaining her ARSM diploma in singing and grade 8 piano and violin, Genevieve was offered a place at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire to study Vocal and Operatic Studies under the tutelage of Anne Dawson. 

Whilst at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Genevieve performed in numerous operas, concerts and recitals, as well as playing in Joe Broughton’s Conservatoire Folk Ensemble. She achieved a First-Class Honours Degree and after teaching in schools for the past two years in Stafford and Kent, she has now moved back to Birmingham to start her Masters specialising in early Vocal Music at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. 

Genevieve has always enjoyed teaching and approaches her lessons with enthusiasm, patience and understanding. She understands the importance of an adaptable teaching approach and believes a non-judgmental attitude is paramount. Genevieve has taught pupils of all ages and abilities and believes it is never too late to start!

Genevieve joined the KEBMusicTuition team in September 2025 and teaches on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Irene Lau (she/her) – Piano

Irene has been teaching piano and theory since 2001. She started to teach piano when she was studying for her music degree at university. She really enjoys the experience of teaching piano and hopes her students will love music as much as she does.

She is enthusiastic about piano playing and teaching. She has taken part in many workshops to improve her performance skills as well as her teaching methods, and make her lessons more effective and interesting. She continues to learn, studying piano and piano pedagogy with professionals from all over the world. In 2015 she completed a course in Performance and Pedagogical Concepts from the Chinese University of Hong Kong with Grade A. In 2020, she passed the ESTA Education Certificate for teachers (Piano) from the University of Chichester with distinction (achieving first place in her class). After two years, she continued to study in Postgraduate Certificate in Piano Teaching at the same university, which is the part of the master’s degree, and she plans to continue her studies for higher levels of music teaching diploma.

Moreover, Irene was awarded “Excellent Music Teaching” twice by the Asia Pacific Outstanding Youth Piano Competition in 2016. And in 2019 her students achieved various prizes in competitions through excellent performance; thus, she was awarded a “Teaching Excellence Award” by the East West Arts Association.

Irene has comprehensive experience in piano teaching from beginner to diploma level with different ages of student. The age range of her students was from 3 to 70years old. Her teaching scheme is “Start happily, study hard during the process and enjoy it at the end!” She emphasises technical skills and tone colours, musical training, and most importantly, piquing her students’ interest in playing the piano and enjoying music.

Irene joined the KEBMusicTuition team in September 2022 and offers piano tuition on Thursdays and Fridays in Stirchley, with capacity to teach online on other days.

Mary Glasby (she/her; they/them) – Oboe, Saxophone, Recorder, Flute

Mary is an oboist from Birmingham, currently studying at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. She has performed in operas, ballets, and symphonies under renowned conductors such as Kazuki Yamada. She has played at Birmingham’s top venues, including Bradshaw Hall, the Elgar Concert Hall, and Symphony Hall. Growing up in Birmingham has given Mary a comprehensive knowledge of local music opportunities for young people.

At the heart of her work is a deep commitment to music education and outreach, and she works closely with the Learning and Participation team at the Conservatoire. Mary currently visits several local schools to assist with music projects and teach individual lessons. She also works as a student orchestral tutor with Orchestras for All and volunteers at Melody, creating musical opportunities for people with learning disabilities.

Enthusiastic about making classical music accessible to wider audiences, Mary takes the skills she’s learned from these experiences and translates them into performance settings. She works as a performer at the community arts organisation Quench Arts and regularly performs in hospitals and schools, including a recent performance alongside the Central England Camerata in a ballet outreach project. She’s also a founding member of the Caramillo Trio, who specialise in accessible classical concerts, with notable performances including the Cheltenham Music Festival and Three Choirs Festival.

Mary joined the KEBMusicTuition team in September 2022 and offers oboe, saxophone, and flute lessons on Saturday mornings, as well as running our Kids’ Music Classes for children aged 4 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, Fridays and Saturdays.

Olivia Wilkes (she/her) – Voice, Guitar

Olivia is a classically trained singer and vocal tutor from Newcastle-under-Lyme, and now living in South Birmingham. Her love of music began at the age of eight, when she originally started singing and piano lessons and then over the years, also added drums and guitar to her musical repertoire. Her teaching journey started at a music school in her home town, where she has worked with students both face-to-face and online and enjoyed helping them grow as musicians.

Throughout her vocal tutoring she has helped many students with auditions and preparation for different events including stage performances, TV shows, choirs, gigs, and exams. She has also helped to grow the confidence of her students and guided them to achieve their own personal goals; for example wanting to perform at an open mic, to release their own vocal tracks, take exams, obtain a place at a College or University or start getting their own paid gigs.

She has experience in teaching many different genres, including musical theatre, pop, rock, jazz, soul, folk, blues, and more!

Olivia has performed at venues and events in and around the Staffordshire and West Midlands area since the age of 15 including festivals, weddings, and charity days. She has also been featured on some local radio stations including BBC Radio Stoke, and collaborated with local musicians and bands on their projects.

Olivia joined KEBMusicTuition in autumn 2021, and welcomes voice and guitar students on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Phoebe Jennings (they/them) – Flute, Saxophone, Clarinet, Piano, Guitar (Electric/Acoustic), Bass Guitar, Music Theory

Phoebe has been learning music since age four, having watched their older sister playing trombone in orchestras from a young age and being inspired. They started on flute, and picked up piano, bass, guitar, saxophone, and clarinet on the way. Phoebe has been in Birmingham City orchestras for most of their young life, and toured to Germany, Belgium, Holland, Paris, and Barcelona with school orchestras. 

They returned to Birmingham in 2024, having gone to the University of Leeds to study a Music BA. Here, they developed an assortment of musical skills from performing in many different styles and on a range of instruments; to composing in classical and experimental styles; to doing sound tech and studio work, recording live bands and putting on shows; to teaching friends and learning new instruments; and writing many essays investigating music and culture. Now, Phoebe is studying for a Master’s degree, and loves exploring music, happily playing anything from classical to pop, musical theatre, and avant-garde, and would love to help other people achieve their musical goals whatever those happen to be. They also release electronic music under the name zoochosis, and write and perform poetry all over Birmingham

Phoebe joined KEBMusicTuition in the Autumn term of 2024 and offers multi-instrumental tuition on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Zahrah Hutton (she/her) – Classical and Folk Guitar

Zahrah is a classical guitarist from London, now based in Birmingham. She began learning music through the Kodály Method, and holds Level 8 Kodály Musicianship. She began learning guitar at the age of six. 

Zahrah is a member of the Mela Guitar Quartet, with whom she has performed at venues across the UK, live on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune, and completed an eight-week tour of North America.

Zahrah graduated from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire with first-class honours in music performance in 2023.

Zahrah has experience teaching a range of ages and abilities. She believes music-making should be a joyful and creative process and approaches teaching with enthusiasm.

Zahrah joined KEBMusicTuition in March 2023 and offers guitar tuition on Wednesday afternoons/evenings, Thursday mornings, and on Saturdays.