Adam Hall Guitar / Drums
Adam’s passion for the guitar started 20 years ago, influenced by a diet of Classic Rock and Blues music played in the home. Over the proceeding years his interest never waned and he focused his higher education on a musical career, attending the renowned Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford. He completed the Higher National Diploma in Popular Music Practice, involving key components vital to Music Teaching Practice: sight reading, music theory, studio recording, composition and performance. Whilst studying he had the privilege of being taught and inspired by acclaimed musicians such as Dave Kilminster (current guitarist for Roger Waters), Michael Casswell, Matt Hasslett and many more.
In 2008 Adam became a professional musician, concentrating on guitar tuition and later becoming a member of The Registry of Guitar Tutors. Over the past 10 years he has established a large group of private guitar students and been based in both private and state education schools. During this time he has performed in musical productions, organised and run school concerts and recitals, as well as playing in function bands. In recent times he has developed a band workshop that runs during the school holidays. The intention is to inspire young players of all instruments and for them to experience musicianship by performing as part of a band.
During his time as a guitar tutor, Adam’s personal musical development has not ceased. In addition to the guitar, he now also teaches electric bass guitar, ukulele and drums, both privately and in the schools where he is based.
When he has a spare moment, hen can be found either listening to music or attending concerts of all musical genres
Vera Bogatyreva Violin
Mrs Vera Bogatyreva is a professional violinist and a violin teacher with 8 years of teaching experience.
At an early age of 15 she joined the Novosibirsk Murov College of Music, Russia.
After graduating the college Mrs Bogatyreva was successfully accepted into the State Conservatoire of Glinka in Novosibirsk, the largest musical educational establishment in Siberia, Russia. This Conservatoire had Zakhar Brohn as its professor. He brought up such talents as Maxim Vengerov and Vadim Repin. Vera’s individual tutor Marina Kuzina was personally taught by Zakhar Brohn too.
When Mrs Bogatyreva turned 18 she started working in the Globus Theatre (Novosibirsk, Russia). Having started as a violinist later she became a leader of the violin section.
From 2014, upon completion of the BA in Violin, Vera have met her husband and moved to England where she continues to teach young children and pass on her knowledge and love for music to them.
Mrs Bogatyreva worked with pupils aged from 5 to 19 successfully preparing them for ABRSM and TCL examinations. One of Mrs Bogatyreva’s professional achievements is that she prepared a pupil from Sherfield School who continued his violin studies at the University of West London and successfully graduated it too.
Her other professional achievements include being a violinist in the Vietta Trio as well as multiple classical music projects.
At Sherfield Mrs Bogatyreva runs the highly successful Chamber Orchestra who have always given memorable performances at school concerts.
Kevin Ransom Brass
Kevin attended the Guildhall School of Music and was taught by Maurice Murphy, Rod Franks (both principal trumpets of the London Symphony Orchestra) and Crispian Steele-Perkins. Since then Kevin has held the position of Principal Trumpet of the West Forest Sinfonia (conducted by Philip Ellis) for the past 20 years and has appeared as soloist on a number of occasions - most recently giving the premiere performance of the Trumpet Concerto 'Alcantara' by Torbjorn Hultmark. His considerable repertoire of experience includes work with the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra; Amici Chamber Orchestra; London West End Musicals; Bert Kaemfert (UK) Band; New London Sinfonia; English Symphony Orchestra; British Sinfonia; Wessex Brass, London Fanfare Trumpets.
Anna O’Brien Saxophone / Clarinet
Anna gained a degree in music from The Colchester Institute School of Music and currently works as a woodwind teacher and freelance musician in and around Berkshire. She is a member of A Good Reed - a busy saxophone quartet who regularly give workshops and recitals in schools as well as performing at weddings and parties.
Anna also works with local orchestras and big bands as well as playing saxophone/flute and clarinet in musical theatre productions.
At Sherfield, Anna runs The Sherbets, a popular group of brass and wind players (plus rhythm section) performing upbeat jazzy and popular repertoire. The ensemble are a key feature at all of the school’s bigger concerts and events.
Miriam Benkova Piano
CT ABRSM.
Miriam is a professionally qualified piano tutor with 25 years of experience. Graduating from Music Academy in former Czechoslovakia, Miriam has been working successfully as a piano/theory teacher, performer and accompanist.
Miriam is a dynamic, enthusiastic, friendly and creative person who loves teaching and performing. Her teaching style is lively and pro-active, and tailored to individual student needs. Her lessons at Sherfield are popular and feature varied activities. Due to her well-developed methods and great rapport her students regularly achieve high marks in exams and festivals (including Basingstoke Music Festival). She aims to teach students to enjoy music but also learn how to tackle difficult challenges.
Miriam’s favourite ever piano piece is Chopin’s ‘Nocturne in E minor, Op. 72 No. 1’ and she also loves Freddie Mercury and Queen!
Thomas Hammond Cello / Piano
Tom has over 18 years’ experience delivering instrumental lessons locally in schools in both the private and state sector, including Reading and Kendrick Schools. He also teaches cello through Berkshire Maestros, giving individual and group lessons and coaching youth orchestras. When teaching commitments allow, he does occasional gig work, working with some of the best professional players in the area, and has played in some of the great venues in the country and abroad. In the non-classical sphere he has played cello and piano/keyboard in a few bands covering a variety of styles from jazz to rock, once featuring at the Reading Festival.
Sam Gill Flute
CT ABRSM.
Sam has been playing flute since the age of 10 and has taught it for over a decade. She teaches beginners right through to Grade 8 and boasts a 100% exam pass rate right, with
85% of her students across the years having passed with merits and distinctions.
Sam’s students have also always been very successful at competitions and auditions including current 1st desk / principal positions in Area and County Youth Orchestras and regular winners and finalists in the Rotary Young Musician Competition.
Sam has written her own young beginners Tutor book graded as ‘Excellent’ by ABRSM and recommend for publishing. She also plays recorder and saxophone and teaches music theory.
Amongst her busy schedule Sam also plays flute and piccolo with Deane Sinfonia, and is Chair of the Basingstoke Music and Arts Festival (also running the woodwind section).
James Cross Drums
James is a professional, freelance drummer and drum teacher based in Surrey, specialising in pop, rock and metal. He has played all over the UK and Europe in multiple, original bands, supporting artists such as Nine Inch Nails, Zane Lowe, Creeper, Counterfeit!, Foxing, Don Broco, TTNG and Tellison. He has also received press from “Kerrang!”, “Rocksound”, “Halestorm”, “BBC introducing” and “PunkTastic”.
James began learning drums in year 8 at school, and played in the school jazz band and steel drum band. This developed into a passion for writing music in original bands outside of school with friends, and learning the ropes on the local music scene throughout college. He then went on to graduate with a BA (hons) degree in Popular Music Performance from Southampton Solent University.
Since then, James has written and toured extensively with original bands Skymarshal (2011-2013), Faux (2013-2018), Wavebye (2018-2019), Transients (2019 – present) and I See Shapes (2021 – present), playing numerous large festivals, and releasing multiple chart appearing records.
Alongside his playing career, James spent a 3 year spell teaching for the Hampshire Music Service in schools all over the county, delivering 1-1 drum lessons as well as full class samba and African percussion workshops. From there, he developed and has now moved on to his own teaching business, comprising solely of private 1-1 tuition, of which Sherfield school is now a part of.
“I like to bring as much real world touring and recording experience to my lessons as possible, to give my students the head start I didn’t receive to their potential drumming careers.”