Useful Information for Tuition Students / Meet the Team

There is a wide range of music groups for beginner musicians ran by both Leicestershire Music and our partner organisations.
More information about our music making groups can be found by clicking here

Tuition FAQ's can be found by clicking here

Please click here to download a copy of our Practice Booklet to print off and use.

Meet the Tuition Team

Andy Maycock - Instrumental & Vocal Tuition Manager

Andy Maycock is a Leicester lad born and bred!
After starting lessons at Brockshill primary school, Oadby he went onto lead the double basses in the Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra and went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music studying Double bass, singing and piano.
Andy has played in and conducted The Phantom of the Opera, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Disney's Beauty and the Beast and many other West End shows.
He has performed with leading orchestras in the country, including the London Film Orchestra.
He is a regular Musical Director for local productions and still find time to play professionally throughout the country, if he has the time!
Andy has always been a strong advocate of instrumental tuition and has taught Double bass, Singing and piano for over 35 years.
He is proud to be Instrumental and vocal tuition manager for Leicestershire Music and is looking forward to helping many young people on their musical journey.

Email - Andy.Maycock@leics.gov.uk

David Amar - Guitar

I have been playing guitar, bass and drums from a young age and have many years teaching experience. Performance wise, I have played big venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and festivals such as Cheltenham Jazz and the Baltic Song Contest Festival in Sweden. I have performed on BBC Radio 2 and had music played across all BBC radio networks. I have composed music that has featured on major TV shows in the UK such as Masterchef, Britain's Got Talent and Coronation Street.

I have taught extensively across the East Midlands and have helped dozens of students achieve graded music qualifications up to diploma level. I have also been involved in various music and band workshops that showcase musical talent in young musicians and have organised other projects such as guitar clubs and recording sessions for students. Additionally, I have taught some GCSE and BTEC music courses.

Email - david.amar@leics.gov.uk

Rebecca Bailey - Woodwind

Rebecca began playing clarinet aged 9 after a brief spell on tenor horn. After progressing through various ensembles of Leicestershire School of Music, she became principal clarinet of the Symphonic Wind Band until leaving school.

Rebecca joined Royal Air Force Music Services in 1991 as a full-time musician, playing clarinets and saxophones. She was one of only six females at that time to be integrated into an all male environment. With the RAF Central Band Rebecca enjoyed performing throughout the UK and Europe at many prestigious events including being among the first females to take part in the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, breaking a 250 year tradition.

Following her time in the British military, Rebecca worked for several years in music retail and enjoyed lots of playing in local theatres in the evenings. After this she re-located to The Sultanate of Oman to become senior woodwind instructor for the Royal Air Force of Oman. She also taught many children in international schools in the capital of Muscat. Throughout those 16 years in Oman Rebecca enjoyed playing euphonium in a 20 piece professional brass ensemble.

Rebecca is delighted to have returned home to Leicestershire and brings with her a wealth of teaching and playing experience in both woodwind and brass.

Email - rebecca.bailey@leics.gov.uk

Jim Gribben - Brass

Jim started playing the trombone at the age of twelve in Cornwall. He was very fortunate to study with Albert Chappell for several years.

At the age of twenty-three Jim gained a place in the Royal Air Force Central Band as a full-time musician. With a career that lasted for thirty years Jim performed all over the world in many different countries. These included Japan, the U.S.A. Russia, Hong Kong, Senegal, the middle east and throughout Europe.

On leaving the R.A.F. Jim accepted a position as senior low brass teacher with the Royal Air Force of Oman. During his eleven years in Muscat, Oman, Jim taught brass at all levels, from beginner to diploma.

Jim holds a Licentiate diploma from the Royal Schools of Music (LRSM) in trombone performance and a further licentiate from the London College of Music (LLCM) as a qualified Bandmaster.

Jim brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in brass playing, teaching, conducting and music arranging. Now based in Leicestershire he is enjoying performing in several ensembles and inspiring the young musicians under his tutelage.

Email - james.gribben@leics.gov.uk

Richard James - Guitar

Richard James has been a professional guitar teacher since 2007. He holds a degree in music from the Open University, and is a Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music in Classical Guitar performance. When not teaching he can be found playing for local musical productions all over the county. Richard enjoys teaching all ages and abilities of students, and is keen that any student learns music of their own choice, allied to a good technique.

Email - Richard.james@leics.gov.uk

Derek Lau - Piano

I started learning the piano at the age of 3 ½ and achieved Grade 8 at the age of 11 ½ under the instruction of Janie Houghton and later Ian Clarke. I attained further training at the Royal Academy of Music – Junior, under the instruction of Diana Ketler and later privately with Joanna MacGregor CBE.

I have been tutoring students for 18 years with students participating in the Eisteddfod and wining in every age category on a yearly basis. I have had experience in accompanying exams, choirs, NMPAT Senior Orchestra, Northampton High Scorers' Concert, Come and Sing (with John Rutter Northampton High School for Girls), Salvation Army Singing Company and Songsters Kettering, International Staff songsters' Salvation Army Regent Hall, London Symphonica feat. Mr Switch (International Touring Orchestra), dep pianist for Moulin Rouge (Piccadilly Theatre) and My Neighbour Totoro.

With the experience I have with performance, technical knowledge and training, I wish to bring this energy to class and create the next leaders on piano.

Email - derek.lau@leics.gov.uk

Otto Li - Violin

Chun Long Li, also known as Otto, is a classically trained violinist and violist with over 15 years of experience teaching music in primary and secondary schools, as well as offering private lessons. He views music education not merely as a hobby but as a vital means of personal development and an avenue to cultivate a deeper appreciation for the world. Otto has served as the principal violinist for the University Philharmonic Orchestra at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and currently performs with both the Nottingham Chamber Orchestra and the Djanogly Community Orchestra. He is presently collaborating with Doncaster Music Service and Leicestershire Music to provide exceptional music education to young learners.

Email - Otto.Li@leics.gov.uk

Victoria Thomas - Strings

Vicki teaches the violin and viola and enjoys helping children to learn and to develop a love for music. Vicki plays in a local string orchestra and runs a small music group for home educated children. As well as music, Vicki enjoys reading, learning French and looking after her two rabbits.

Email - victoria.thomas@leics.gov.uk

Wing-Yuk Tse (Jennifer) - Woodwind

Jennifer, Wing-Yuk Tse started learning the flute at the age of 12. She found it interesting in making music when playing in groups at school, thus she then aimed at pursuing her study in music and as a career.

Receiving the HKSAR Government Scholarship, Jennifer finished her Bachelor of Arts (hons.) in Music in Hong Kong Baptist University with first honour award. She then continued studying at the Royal Northern College of Music for Master of Music in Solo Performance in Manchester with merit.

She is an experienced flute tutor teaching in primary and secondary schools. She is an experienced ensemble player as well and is currently a member of London Ponte Orchestra.

Email - jennifer.tse@leics.gov.uk

Francine Warner - Woodwind / Instrumental Resource Manager

My love of music and woodwind instruments started when I first was given the opportunity to play the recorder at primary school. I quickly progressed onto the Clarinet, then Saxophone and gained my practical grades up to Grade 8 with the A.B.R.S.M.

After completing a three-year Woodwind instrument making and Repair course, I also developed a love of playing the Flute and Oboe. I then went on to work for the Wind Group and Flute tree in Sydney Australia which is a specialist in Flute Repairs and top end Flute sales. When I came back to the U.K. I worked self-employed as a Clarinet repairer as part of a co-operative for the Woodwind workshop in Huddersfield. Since then I have worked as an Oboe finisher for Howarths of London and then as a self-employed repairer and teacher.

Throughout my career as a repairer, I have continued to teach and play woodwind instruments, touring with Big bands. I also have been very fortunate to conduct the Saxophone Ensemble at one of my secondary schools and I run a Saxophone and Clarinet band for my adult pupils. I have always enjoyed working with young people and seeing them thrive, grow in self-confidence and express their identity through music is an honour. My pupils who have taken practical exams with the A.B.R.S.M have all passed with many achieving Merit and Distinction.

I have continued my professional development with teaching courses with A.B.R.S.M. and a Music Degree with the Open University as well as the Certificate of Creative Music Making with the Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London. I enjoy all genres of music and currently perform as a multi-instrumentalist in the Jazz Funk Herbie Mann Tribute Group.

Email - francine.warner@leics.gov.uk

Andrew Waterson - Guitar

Andrew has been a full-time professional guitarist and composer for over twenty years. During his career Andrew has played guitars, banjos, mandolins, ouds, sazs, bazoukis, ukuleles (and maybe stuff that he forgot!) on over sixty theatre productions, which he performed on in London's West End or toured nationally and internationally. These include: Pretty woman, I Should Be So Lucky, An Officer and a Gentlemen, Jersey Boys, Billy Elliot, The Commitments, We will Rock You, The Rocky Horror Show, Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph, Fiddler On The Roof, Daddy cool, Lord Of The Rings, Legally Blonde, Wonderland, Pippin, Catch Me If You Can, Grease, Saturday Night Fever, Catch Me If You Can, Footloose, Rent, etc...

Andrew has worked extensively for the Royal Shakespeare Company in their Stratford-upon-Avon (RST & Swan) and London productions. As a musical director, Andrew has prepared and led shows and tours for West end star Kerry Ellis, Ben Forster, Stephen Webb and Jon Boydon. Alongside these commitments Andrew maintains a busy schedule of session gigs, recording work and also teaches the guitar.

More recently Andrew has concentrated on his work as a composer, in 2020 forming Inciter Music. Andrew's compositions are increasingly in-demand and Inciter Music has enjoyed increasing success this year.

Alongside his performance career Andrew has taught all ages and at all levels, from beginner to undergraduate.

Email - andrew.waterson@leics.gov.uk