Instrumental Lesson Form | Sherfield School, Hampshire

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.

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.

Nicky Raimbaux began her musical journey at the age of 11, learning the cornet before progressing to the flugelhorn and trumpet. During her school years, she achieved ABRSM Grade 8 in both trumpet and music theory. After completing a degree in music and a PGCE from Leeds University, Nicky spent 20 years as a primary teacher, where she led music programmes across the school.

For the past decade, she has directed her local primary school orchestra, arranging performances for school events and venues such as the Anvil Theatre in Basingstoke. She also organises brass concerts at various schools, providing her pupils with opportunities to showcase their talents.

In 2019, Nicky chose to leave classroom teaching to focus fully on instrumental teaching, combining her background as a music specialist with her passion for brass instruction. She teaches a variety of brass instruments, tailoring her lessons to suit each student’s learning style and musical preferences, whether they enjoy Beethoven, the Beatles, or Bon Jovi. Nicky has also successfully prepared many students for external music exams, maintaining a 100% pass rate, with over 90% of results being distinctions.

In addition to teaching, Nicky is an active musician. She plays first trumpet with the Basingstoke Concert Band and performs in a local big band. When not immersed in music, she enjoys walking her spaniels, Floss and Olive, as well as taking on DIY, interior design, and gardening projects.

Zoë is a professional, freelance woodwind performer and teacher. She attended Trinity College of Music under the direction of Melanie Henry. Zoë performs regularly at weddings and parties both as a soloist and as part of function bands. She also works with local orchestras, big bands and musical theatre productions.

Zoë has performed at a number of UK venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, headlined at the Isle of Wight Festival and toured with Q the Music James Bond Show, Opera Della Luna and Hacienda Classical. She performs and teaches a wide range of music from Classical, Jazz, Pop and Funk. Her music has taken her on tour to America, China, France and Holland and she has made several appearances on television and radio. 

At Sherfield, Zoë runs The Sherbets, a popular group of brass and wind players (plus rhythm section) performing upbeat jazzy and popular repertoire. The ensemble is a key feature at all of the school’s bigger concerts and events.

Rebecca is a classically trained soprano. She holds a Licentiate of Trinity College London Level 6 Diploma in Music Performance with Distinction. Rebecca is a Vocal Process® Registered Accredited Singing Teacher, having completed her accreditation with internationally renowned vocal experts Dr Gillyanne Kayes and Jeremy Fisher (Vocal Process®) in 2024. She is also an active member of the Association of Teachers of Singing (AOTOS).

Rebecca uses a system called Embodima™ in her lessons and is now one of the first trainers in this method internationally. She believes that one size doesn’t fit all and that everyone has different learning styles. She enjoys getting to know her students and finding out what works for each one of them. Rebecca has a long track record of students successfully attaining graded examinations across all the exam boards and genres and has also assisted several students to gain places at Music College. She is also the Singing Section Secretary for the Basingstoke Music and Arts Festival.

With a wealth of experience of performing varied styles from Musical Theatre to Metal, as well as Classical and Choral music throughout her career, Rebecca brings a breadth of understanding of the use of the voice across genres and can relate to the music her students are interested in singing. She currently has a busy performing career providing powerful vocals for Pink Floyd tribute bands ‘Crazy Diamond’ and ‘On The Run’ and backing vocals for David Bowie tribute band ‘Moonage’. Rebecca is also one half of acoustic duo ‘Perfect Sky’.

http://www.rebeccacooch.com

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!

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 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 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.”