Miss Stephanie Bloor (Cello, Double Bass & Piano) Senior School VMT

Stephanie began her music education at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester and then completed her undergraduate degree at the Royal Academy of Music, fitting in some time on the BBC Philharmonic’s Side-by-Side scheme in between. Recent personal performance highlights include a string quartet tour to Norway, playing as part of the Cannes Film Festival and collaborating with contemporary artist Shola Ama. Stephanie currently dedicates much of her time to teaching. In addition to enjoying her teaching at John Lyon, she teaches at four other schools – two in London and two in Derbyshire. She also enjoys working on Pro Corda chamber music courses in the holidays. In addition to the cello, Stephanie also studied the harp at the Royal Academy and enjoys the variety of freelancing on both instruments.

Mr Steve Davies (Drums & Percussion) Prep School VMT

I am a passionate teacher with 20 years of experience which includes teaching in schools, scout groups, festivals, church groups and youth groups. I have over 40 years of experience playing and recording, most recently with the BBC daily service, this was with a gospel group. I currently teach in schools across London for Brent Music Services, as well as my private tuition.  I have enjoyed teaching at John Lyon over the past 5 years. It has been a privilege to teach the children, helping them to develop and grow in confidence on their musical journey.

Mr Vivian Davies (Brass) Senior School VMT

Vivian Davies was born in Neath in South Wales and was taught to play the horn by his father. He became principal horn of the Glamorgan Youth Orchestra, the National Youth Orchestra of Wales and the Orchestra of Cardiff University where he studied after winning a county music scholarship. After university he freelanced in London playing with the Festival Ballet Company and Sadler’s Wells Opera before spending 25 years as principal horn with the Band of Her Majesty’s Scots Guards. During this time he took part in all State Occasions and visited many different countries including the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. He now has a busy teaching schedule at several schools including the John Lyon School and North London Collegiate.

Mr Gary Eacope (Electric & Classical Guitar) Prep School VMT

Gary has 36 years’ playing and recording experience having played in several rock bands in and around London along with occasional session work at V-Studios (Bedfordshire and Italy). Currently working for Herts Music Service and a couple of reputable grammar schools he has 18 continuous years teaching experience in Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and north London. Along with guitar, Gary has an additional interest in experimental music, sound-art and generative computer-music soundscapes, which in previous years has resulted in sound installations at The Museum of St. Albans and school soundscape projects. Gary also has a BSc (Hons) Electronic Music (Composition) degree, studied at the University of Hertfordshire.

Rock Guitar Playlist:
Gary Eacope Guitar Tracks by Gary Guitar | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Soundscapes Playlist:
Soundscapes by Gary Guitar | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Mrs Sue Evans (Flute) Prep & Senior School VMT

Having achieved a distinction for her Grade VIII flute as a 13 year old, Sue Evans continued her studies at school to diploma level. She started her teaching at Wellingborough School and has since taught in many different schools in the area including York House Preparatory School, St Clement Danes School and St Dominic’s Sixth Form College as well as teaching privately, and has successfully guided hundreds of pupils through the full range of grades as well as several through diplomas. She lives at Harrow School, where her husband is a music teacher. She is a keen singer and sings in an a capella choir at Harrow School which has been all over the world on singing tours including the Far East, USA, South Africa, Kenya, Canada, Russia as well as countries nearer home.

Mr Tiernan Godel (Bass guitar) Senior School VMT

With over 20 years’ experience covering most genres of contemporary popular music, Tiernan is an outstanding professional bass guitarist and teacher. Since graduating from the Guitar Institute in 1997 Tiernan has taken his ongoing professional development very seriously, and his investigations into effective studying methods inform his 17 years of teaching practice. A positive and enthusiastic teacher, he encourages all his students to reach their highest potential and develop sound practice routines, at the same time as taking pleasure in making music both individually, and as part of a group. Under his tutelage, many of his students take the Rockschool graded exams, several subsequently attending Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, Berklee College of Music and Birmingham Conservatoire.

Mr Tom Hooper (Drums) Senior School VMT

Tom Hooper started playing drums on the sofa with chop sticks at about six years old and began playing professionally at age 14, performing in clubs, with local bands and summer season pit work. Tom gained a BMus honours degree in Jazz performance from the Royal Academy of Music. Having left the Academy Tom embarked on a professional career that has taken him all over the world performing and recording with artists as diverse as Grace Jones, Simple Minds, John Dankworth OBE, Jan Smit (Dutch singing star with whom Tom has played on five number one hits), Christian Garrick, Kinobe, Stroke, Omar, The Kairos Ensemble, Ben Earle (The Shires), Ryan Marshall,  Aynsley Lister and many more.

Mr Peter Huntington (Drums) Senior School VMT

Born in Newcastle, Peter began playing drums at the age of 11 and was soon playing in brass bands, orchestras as well as several local bands. Peter studied Commercial Music at the University of Westminster and since graduating, has toured and recorded with many artists including Mark Owen, Darren Hayes, Chesney Hawkes and Pete Townshend. Peter played drums on the album Endless Wire by The Who and also on the expanded reissue of Quadrophenia. He continues to perform around the world with The Lost and Found Orchestra (from the creators of STOMP) and has also been involved with Rockschool as a composer and examiner for many years. Peter also teaches on the music performance course at the University of Westminster and runs the percussion ensemble at John Lyon.

Mr Wyn Hyland (Piano) Prep School VMT

Wyn hails from Cardigan, Wales and was educated at Chetham’s Music School, Wadham College, Oxford and the Royal College of Music. Credits include recitals in Asia, Bolivia, Uganda, Australia and New Zealand, concertos at The Royal Festival Hall, St. David’s Hall and BBC Maida Vale and Musical Director on the European tours of Cabaret and Guys and Dolls. Wyn has been working as keyboard player and associate conductor in the West End with Chicago. He has performed on Woman’s Hour, worked at the Royal Opera House, Welsh National Opera, Garsington, Grange Park and Pavilion Opera companies, appeared on Last Choir Standing with the winning choir Only Men Aloud and been Assistant Musical Director on The Music Man at Chichester. He has just finished as assistant Musical Director at the Almeida production of the Bakkhai.

Recent West End work includes Guys and Dolls and An American in Paris.

Mr Gordon MacLachlan (Brass) Senior School VMT

Gordon began playing trombone at his local brass band in Yorkshire when he was 11. After 5 years of playing in a diverse range of ensembles locally he moved to Manchester to study at Chetham’s School of Music for Sixth form. Whilst studying at Chetham’s Gordon was a member of the National Youth Orchestra. Gordon gained a place to study for his degree at the Royal College of Music, studying with Byron Fulcher and Lindsay Shilling, after graduating he continued studying privately with Denis Wick. In 2015 he joined the Royal Air Force as a musician and is currently in the Central Band of the RAF. Gordon is married to his wife, Victoria, together they have two daughters, Elsie and Bonnie, and Wilfred the dog. In his spare time Gordon enjoys fixing his 1960s Land Rover, cycling, running and baking lots of cake.

Mrs Victoria MacLachlan (Piano, Clarinet, Saxophone & Oboe) Prep & Senior School VMT

Hailing from the North East, Victoria began her piano studies whilst a pupil at Durham High School for Girls. Victoria then studied at Trinity Laban Conservatoire for both her undergraduate and masters degrees, learning with well renowned professionals in the genres of both classical and jazz. Leaving in 2013 with a MMus (merit) Victoria went on to perform in musical theatre shows across the UK and since 2014 has taught piano, clarinet, saxophone, flute and music theory in several leading independent schools. Victoria’s students have enjoyed successes in ABRSM examinations and competitions with one pupil also appearing on TV and radio. Several students have also achieved scholarship success most recently at Westminster School and Merchant Taylors School. Most importantly Victoria enjoys seeing each student develop a love of music that will last a life time.

Miss Anna Morrison (Cello) Prep School VMT

Anna studied the cello at Chethams School of Music, the Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music. She then spent many years as a freelance cellist in both London and Edinburgh, performing with orchestras, ballet companies, West End theatre productions and commercial artists, before deciding to focus on teaching.  Anna has previously taught cello and chamber music at many London Schools and at the junior department of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She currently teaches at Harrow School. she has two young sons who attend John Lyon’s Prep School.

Ms Stephanie Niemira (Violin) Prep School VMT

Mr Stuart Poole (Acoustic, Classical & Electric Guitar) Senior School VMT

Growing up in a musical household, Stuart began playing guitar at the age of 8 and has enjoyed a career as a professional musician since leaving school. He is a multi-instrumentalist who offers a broad approach to teaching music of all styles.

As well as teaching in schools in Harrow, Brent and Barnet, Stuart continues to work as a professional performer internationally. His experience includes playing shows for the military in The Falklands and Afghanistan, and for the Royal Family.

Mr Luke Rao (OL) (Acoustic, Classical & Electric guitar) Senior School VMT

Having been a dedicated member of the musical community as a student, Luke began working as a professional musician the moment he left John Lyon. From picking up the guitar when he was 13 years old, he has now performed in prestigious venues all around the world and has worked with several well renowned musicians.  Luke holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. He performs regularly with his function band, The Altitudes, and struggles to find a weekend off! Luke is also very involved in music technology and audio engineering. He is currently working with Ryan Marshall as production manager and enjoys his role as Front of House engineer. When he gets the time, Luke enjoys the chance to produce recordings and write his own music. He uses production techniques in lessons to create backing tracks to help students’ progress.

Miss Henrietta Ridgeon (Viola & Violin) Senior School VMT

Henrietta Ridgeon (Violin) studied at Trinity College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music. Since graduating in 2001 Henrietta combines a busy teaching and freelance career – playing regularly with the BBC Concert Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Royal Ballet, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, English National Ballet, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, RTE Symphony Orchestra and Ulster Orchestra. Henrietta is also Principal Viola of the Belmont Ensemble of London which plays regularly at St Martin-in-the-Fields. Some career highlights are touring North America and Europe with Sting and Star Wars in Concert. Henrietta recently performed with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia for HRH Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace.

Mr Michael Tasker (Brass) Prep School VMT

Michael started learning the trombone at 6 and quickly developed a passion for music-making. At 13 he received a Music Scholarship at Harrow School and at 15 successfully auditioned for the 1st trombone chair of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra Academy. Michael completed his undergraduate studies in Music at King’s College London and then his Master’s in Music at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, where we was awarded a TLC Scholarship.

Michael enjoys teaching and performing in a variety of styles and settings, from orchestral to jazz to pop. He has played on international tours from the USA to Hong Kong as well as performing in iconic venues like the Royal Albert Hall and Birmingham Symphony Hall. When he doesn’t have a trombone in his hands, he’s often found walking around with a sousaphone on his person!

Miss Chloe Todd (Singing) Senior School VMT

Soprano Chloe Todd graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama’s Artist Masters and Undergraduate Programmes with Distinction. She was awarded the Concert Recital Diploma for exceptional performance and the Tracey Chadwell Memorial Award for Contemporary Music. She was also a finalist for both the Susan Longfield Award and Chartered Surveyor’s Prize. She was generously supported by the Leverhulme Trust and the Mario Lanza Foundation. Since then, she has enjoyed various exciting projects, from opera to concert to conducting.

Chloe regularly performs as a soloist in opera and oratorio and loves curating interesting recitals. Most recently, she made her Mozart Requiem debut with the Southbank Sinfonia at St John’s Smith Square. She has also performed at The Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall and the Barbican. Chloe has had the pleasure of working with Antonio Pappano, Julius Drake, and Eugene Asti, as well as performing in masterclasses for Jonathan Dove, Mark Padmore and Dame Emma Kirkby. She is currently under the tutelage of Marcus van den Akker.

As well as singing, Chloe is a choral conductor and music educator. She works closely with organisations such as the National Youth Choirs, London Youth Choirs and most recently, Liberty Choir, who run rehearsals and workshops in prisons.

Mr Tim Turner (Trumpet & Piano) Senior School VMT

Tim began his musical education at the piano from the age of five, soon becoming a boy chorister and later organist at his local parish church. Having begun a lifelong passion for the trumpet whilst a pupil at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Tim continued his studies at Trinity College of Music where he gained additional experience as an orchestral musician, piano accompanist and repetiteur to the College Opera. Following graduation Tim was awarded a postgraduate scholarship to study natural trumpet and cornett and began his enduring commitment to teaching, firstly at The American School in London, an experience which became highly influential in the development of his own educational philosophy. In 2001, having held teaching and leadership roles within the state sector over a period of fourteen years Tim was appointed Director of Music at Orley Farm School, Harrow-on-the-Hill where he remained until 2014.