Meet the Team

Hi, I’m Alex, and I teach the guitar, mandolin, bass guitar, ukulele, music theory and composition.

I began learning guitar at the age of 13, inspired by artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and the Foo Fighters, however quickly became drawn into jazz after joining the school jazz band while doing my GCSEs. Despite being massively challenging at the time, I persevered and went on to earn my BMus music degree, graduating from the University of Sheffield in 2019 with a specialism in jazz performance and musicology. I currently conduct a wildly varied career as a professional musician, regularly playing gigs across the UK with the Anchormen Jazz Orchestra, Sheffield-based soul band, Papa Soul and my jazz trio, Assembly Trio, with whom I released a debut album of original music in 2022.

I’ve also worked as a pit musician for musicals, session musician for recording sessions, in orchestras, as an orchestral soloist, in rock bands, as a big band conductor and as an arranger. I love to challenge myself wherever possible, and that’s where I’m happiest.

I wouldn’t have any of this without the help, encouragement and direction from my guitar teachers and I hope to pass on the same enthusiasm to my students as they did to me.

I’m Anne.

I put the AS into AS Music School!

Long, long ago I started teaching piano and guitar from my back room and look what happened.

The AS Staff are a lovely group of people and we all love working with you: AS Music School students ROCK!

Musical likes: Beethoven, especially the piano sonatas, Pink Floyd, Motown and never forgetting Bob Marley.

Hi I’m Anthony. I’m originally from Wigan and moved to Sheffield in 2008 and I’ve been teaching guitar and piano ever since.

I started playing guitar at age 12 after hearing a friend playing songs on his dad’s dusty old acoustic and I’ve been hooked ever since. My sister bought me my first guitar for £20 and I spent the next few years in my bedroom, perfecting my technique. I also love to play piano, especially jazz.

I gig regularly, playing at Sheffield venues and festivals. I teach people of all ages and have developed a friendly, laid-back approach which gets the best out of each student.

I teach complete beginners or help experienced players take their playing to the next level.

I make it my aim to share my passion for playing music with my students!

Hiya, I’m Ashlea! More often than not you will find me with a project going on – from singing in the Sheffield Lyceum to filming with Disney+, my experience keeps expanding with film, television, plays, and musicals that I can share with you! I have multiple Extended Certificates in Acting, as well as a BA Hons in Musical Theatre – all awarded in Sheffield. I teach singing, musical theatre and speech & drama, working with the LAMDA exam board. I also have a great track record of helping to prepare my students for drama school auditions.

Often found with a book in my hand or a set of headphones on, I am more than happy to tell you all about my library full of fantasy and romance novels, or my many playlists that are personalised for every occasion and emotion.

Hi, I’m Ashly and I teach piano and violin at AS Music School. I’m originally from Northampton and moved here to study Music at the University of Sheffield, choosing to stay after graduation.

I’m classically trained but have branched out into jazz after joining big bands at my school and the Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust. As such, I have been fortunate to participate in two orchestral tours in Spain and Germany, as well as a jazz tour in LA. Since graduating I have joined numerous local projects and gig regularly; these include Malah Palinka, Abs and Katsina – all of which continue to release new music.

Besides jazz and classical music, I also enjoy progressive rock/metal and believe listening to a variety of genres is a great way to grow as a musician.

When I’m not gigging or teaching, you may find me with a soldering iron in hand, or watching whichever sci-fi series has caught my eye.

I’m Charlotte, I’m a piano teacher and I have been a member of AS Music School since May 2011. I studied at Sheffield Hallam University achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Studies.

I joined AS as soon as I finished Uni, where I also obtained a Diploma in Stave House. Stave House is an early years teaching method designed by Ruth Travers from LCM (London College of Music). We operate a number of small group classes for children aged from around 3 years up to 6 years. Following the Stave House classes, children can move into mini one to one lessons and then the progression is endless.

A bit about me. I like to go hiking and I am currently training to complete the National 3 Peaks in 2021. I have a husband (Chris), who is a primary school teacher and a musician. I have an old, adorable, chocolate Labrador called Coco and the newest member of Team CG is our daughter, Carly Maya-Grace Gill. She was born in August 2020 and she is a delight! We hope she will be following in her Mummy and Daddy’s footsteps with their musical ability.

Hi, I’m Ciara and I teach piano, violin, ukulele, double bass, cello and music theory.

I started learning piano at age 11, followed by double bass a few years later (once I was tall enough!) and I’ve followed my passion for music all the way through to an undergraduate degree at the University of Sheffield and now a PhD in Renaissance Musicology.

After getting my very first job as a student music teacher at 16, I fell in love with teaching and inspiring others to have the same passion for music that I do, and I have been teaching for over 8 years now alongside completing my studies. I love to use the skills I have gained from my degree to inspire my students, and you will often find me arranging song requests by students to fit their skill level. My teaching focus is always on creating a fun and productive learning environment for students to give them the confidence and skills to reach their musical potential, whatever that may be.

Hi, I’m Jemima and I teach piano! I’m originally from Sheffield, though in 2016 I left for university in Leeds where I studied a BA in English and Art History. I still currently live and work in Leeds as a tattooist and printmaker.

Much of my own musical background actually began at AS Music School – Anne was my first ever piano teacher while I was at Abbey Lane Primary! I started piano lessons when I was around 6 years old and have enjoyed playing ever since. Towards the end of my grades I began to pursue an interest in jazz, and vibrant music scene in Leeds gave me the space to explore that further. During my time there I’ve been part of various jazz, funk and neo-soul bands, with friends I met through the uni big band and conservatoire.

My own taste in music is very eclectic! My general favourites are within the realms of jazz, folk, 60s/70s popular/soft rock and all its derivatives, however some favourite classical composers include Scriabin, Chopin, Debussy and Ravel (although, my all time music hero is Alice Coltrane!).

I really enjoy drawing from my 20 years of learning, listening and playing to gently help students meet their goals whilst also developing their musical ear, exploring their creativity and interests, and helping them find relaxation and joy in expressing themselves through the piano.

Hi I’m Karl,

I work in the office here at the school. Over the last seven years I have seen the school grow from sharing rooms above a café to the amazing premises we have now.

My favourite thing about the school is the gigs and shows that we put on. I think it’s great that our students get to experience performing in front of a crowd at proper venues like The Greystones and Yellowarch. I also like that we are an exam centre for LCM, RGT and RSL exams, as this allows our students to sit their exams in a familiar setting.

When I’m not at the school I am a big fan of sports, namely boxing, football and cricket. I also do a lot of reading and enjoy going to the cinema.

Hi I’m Katrina. I teach piano and violin, but I’m also a flute and sax player. I’ve taught around the world and have just moved to Sheffield.

I studied at the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. My passion is World music and jazz and I have written and recorded three albums with jazz musicians in South Africa, Zimbabwe and India.

Apart from playing and writing music I love travelling and being outdoors and my happy place is walking in the countryside, which was a really good reason to move to Sheffield!

Hi I’m Liam,

I teach acoustic and electric guitar, bass, vocals, ukulele and keys. My love for music started from a young age, with my first music lesson aged 7 and my first guitar lesson aged 9. Fast forward to the present and day and I have since graduated from the University of Sheffield with a first class degree in Music, becoming a freelance musician and tutor.

Alongside performing with other bands and groups, I enjoy writing and performing my original music across the country as a soloist. Creating and performing my own music is perhaps the most fulfilling thing in my life, and I envision this ability for all of my students. I’m here not only to help you master your instrument, but also to encourage you to be the most self-expressive musician you can be.

Hey, I’m Luke!

I teach drums at A S Music School and also run band classes!

I have been playing drums since the age of thirteen. During this time, I achieved my Rock School Grade 8 certificate and began teaching in 2016.

I studied Popular Music at Sheffield Hallam University and achieved a First Class Honours degree. I also completed a PGCE teacher training degree at Sheffield Hallam too.

Alongside teaching, I also play regular gigs with my function band around the country at weddings, parties and various events!

Outside of music, I am a keen football fan and enjoy supporting my local team.

I also have a keen passion for cooking and love experimenting with different recipes.

On a quiet weekend, you’ll often find me watching a good film or series and playing video games!

Hello everyone! My name is Mahek and I teach Piano here at AS Music School!

I have been playing the piano since the age of 5 and have taught piano lessons since 2020, first in Dubai and now in Sheffield. I am a classically trained pianist and my favourite composers are Debussy and Chopin. Aside from solo piano, I have accompanied several choirs and vocal groups in Dubai and Bahrain.

Currently, I am a 2nd year medical student studying at the University of Sheffield and besides music, I enjoy swimming and playing basketball (and more often than not you’ll find me at the gym!).

Hi, my name’s Marie! I’m Irish and I teach piano and accordion.

I’ve been playing the accordion since I was a young child and began piano lessons when I started secondary school. Since then, I’ve played the accordion in orchestras and competed in international competitions, both as a soloist and as part of an orchestra. I also studied piano at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and went on to earn my teaching diploma.

Classical music is my favourite on both instruments, but I also love to work with other musicians on more modern/pop music and play folk music on the accordion.

My favourite part of teaching is helping students feel relaxed and confident and focusing on their favourite music!

Hello, I’m Mia, I teach piano and singing at AS Music School, I am also classically trained organist.

I started singing and playing piano at the age of 8 and continued studying music theory and organ through high school. I went on to study BA in Music and Korean Studies at the University of Sheffield. I’m currently in my fourth year.

I teach all styles of vocals including opera and musical theatre. As well as teaching I also love playing the piano, everything from Baroque to the 21st century. I must admit that Mozart has a special place in my heart, although I’m also a really big fan of Russian Romantic pieces.

Looking forward to meeting with you! And I promise I’ll give my best support in helping you achieve your goals!

Hi! I’m Rose and I’ve been teaching at AS Music School for around 7 years!!

I teach vocals, , piano, ukulele and Stave House early learning classes.

I like most genres of music, ranging from modern pop to heavy rock, but I like to perform and sing original songs.

A huge passion of mine is songwriting, so if this is something you would like to have a go at in your lessons then please let me know!

I am also a huge fan of musical theatre, I don’t think there’s a musical I don’t like!

Spencer is a 34 year old multi instrumentalist and Singer from South Africa.

He started singing from a very early age and picked up the Guitar when he was fifteen years of age.

Studied Music at the Campus of Performing Arts in Johannesburg and obtained a Higher Diploma.

Has performed in many bands including “We Shall Embrace” and “Newtown Knife Gang” while receiving national radio coverage and performing and touring extensively around South Africa as well as appearing at the largest Festival “OppiKoppi” on 3 occasions.

Spencer teaches Guitar, Piano, Vocals, Theory & Ear Training.

Hi I’m Yuko. I teach piano and music theory. I graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2022 and have been teaching piano ever since. I started learning the piano at the age of 6 and am classically trained but I like to encourage my students to have the ability to think creatively and independently when it comes to their musicianship.

I have also worked with SENDs special needs support, hospitals and primary and secondary schools. Using music as a method to make a difference in people’s everyday life and their well-being/mental health is something I am really passionate about.

Musical performance is also another big passion of mine. Since the age of 13, I have performed individually, in ensembles/orchestras and have worked as a piano accompanist. Since coming to Sheffield I have been an active in experimenting with a wider variety of music and collaborating with jazz, pop, music theatre and opera musicians. I have participated in solo piano performances in university concerts, private events and other ensemble collaborations.