Music School Staff
TopStaff Profiles
The heart of every school is its staff, and Sheffield Music School is no different! We have a very talented and diverse staff who are teachers, performers and composers in their own right with special interests varying from modern jazz to organ and choral music. Look below to find out more about what they do and what inspires them.
Zoe Barker
Zoe took over as Director of Sheffield Music School from Ian Naylor in September 2009. In addition to her skills as a clarinet teacher, her organisational abilities and enthusiasm are already having a very positive effect on Music School.
Instrument: Clarinet / Saxophone / Piano
Musical Background: Zoe started playing the clarinet when she was 8 years old and took up the piano at 11. Her clarinet teachers have included Jane Booth, Colin Lawson and Howard Rogerson. In 1994, Zoe graduated as a Bachelor of Music from Huddersfield University. She is a self-taught saxophonist. After obtaining Grade 8 clarinet at a very young age, Zoe was on the professional gig scene from the age of 12.
In addition to her duties with the Sheffield Music School, Zoe is a very busy peripatetic teacher working at Sheffield High School, Mount St.Mary’s College, Hunter’s Bar Junior School and Tapton Secondary School.
Zoe has set up a Jazz Band at Mount St. Mary’s College which has become extremely successful. The band plays professionally in the local area and has been invited to perform at high profile events, the highlight being the Cue Ball 2009 at the opening of the World Snooker Championships in Sheffield.
Zoe has been the woodwind tutor for the City of Sheffield Youth Orchestra for many years, and has assisted with directing CSYO courses.
There are too many composers whose work Zoe admires to name them all, but she is particularly fond of Finzi, Tchaikovsky, Gorecki, and Shostakovich. Playing the Mozart Clarinet Quintet for the late Duke of Devonshire when she was 14 must rate as one of her favourite musical experiences to date.
Did you know? When in a co-ed Primary School Zoe was known as the best footballer in the school, and although sport is still one of her main passions her love of music over-rides everything.
Gemma Hankins
Gemma is Head of Junior Music School, having taken over from Selina Slater in January 2010. We look forward to her creative flair inspiring the younger students.
Instrument: Trumpet / Clarinet / Piano
Musical Background: Gemma graduated from The University of Manchester with a 1st Class Honours Degree in Music in 2006, and has been in Sheffield ever since. Over that time Gemma has established a busy timetable of teaching, playing and directing in the city. She has recently taken on a new role with Sheffield Music Service as a Music Development Teacher, but is still teaching brass both in schools and privately, as well as finding time to play professionally from time to time and tutor with The City of Sheffield Youth Orchestra. Gemma is a first study trumpet player, but also plays and teaches clarinet and piano.
Did you know? In her spare time(?) away from music, Gemma satisfies her competitive streak playing netball.
Ben Eckersley
Instrument: Cello
Musical Background: Originally from a small town in Suffolk, Ben came to Sheffield in 2001 to study Music at the University. Since graduating in 2004, he has continued his studies in composition with George Nicholson whilst also teaching for Sheffield Music Service. During his time in Sheffield Ben has become a fixture on the local music scene, playing in various local orchestras and groups, and was prinicpal cellist in both the University Symphony Orchestra and the New Music Ensemble, as well as directing the acclaimed Pisgah Ensemble.
Did you know? These days Ben strives for international recognition as the world's first hip hop cellist with his group 'The Legend of the 7 Black Tentacles'. In his free time he enjoys Peak District walking, Ipswich Town Football Club, art galleries, and origami.
Alan Eost
Instrument: Piano / Organ
Musical Background: Alan was born and educated in Essex. He started piano lessons at the age of six and organ lessons at ten. At fifteen he became one of the youngest ever Associates of the Royal College of Music. He read Mathematics and Music at Cambridge University, where he gained a M.A. degree. After obtaining a Cert. Ed. he moved to Sheffield to a post as Assistant Music Teacher at King Edward VII School. In 1980 he was promoted to Head of the Music Department. Since 1987 he has worked as a freelance musician and teacher, teaching mostly piano and theory.
Alan has been Conductor of Sheffield Oratorio Chorus since 1986 and has established a thriving and versatile choir. He is also Organist and choirmaster of St. John's Church, Abbeydale. He has aquired a reputation as a keyboard player (piano, organ, harpsichord) and has performed widely as soloist and accompanist.
Did you know? Outside the world of music Alan enjoys Indian food, Real ale, cricket, chess, bridge and the wonders of the animal kingdom. He was, allegedly, the inspiration for Marvin, the paranoid android from Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
Helen Mather
Instrument: Viola / Violin
Musical Background: Helen started learning the violin at the age of eight, moving to viola a few years later to get out of practising her grade 5 violin pieces. This crafty and arguably drastic measure paid off and Helen has never regretted favouring this mellow, much maligned instrument.
Helen went on to study viola with Eta Cohen, Alex Robertson and Ken Mitchell before completing a BA Hons degree in music at Liverpool University, followed by a year of teacher training at Goldsmiths' College, London. Helen then worked as a peripatetic teacher of upper strings in East Yorkshire before teaching music in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, as a VSO volunteer. Since then, Helen has turned her hand to various non-musical professions, including fundraising and grant giving, but has always indulged her love of orchestral and chamber playing; she also enjoys being part of the band for Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.
Did you know? Helen is currently learning Latin slowly and painfully...but at least no one will have to suffer the agony of listening to her speak it!
Chris Noble
Instrument: Piano / French Horn
Musical Background: Chris was awarded a 1st Class BMus Degree and a PhD in Composition from the University of Sheffield. He was raised in a musical family, with Mum (and Mum's mum!) a piano teacher and Dad a keen singer (and Dad's Dad an excellent pianist!). Chris is a jazz piano specialist, having played in many bands around Sheffield, as well as doing plenty of orchestral French horn playing and singing in choirs.
Did you know? "I'm never ashamed to bust out some pop classics on my nineties keyboard. Oh, and I'm something of a master of accents, with Northern Irish a speciality..."
Anne Norgate
Instrument: Piano
Musical Background: Anne's early musical education came from Lenore Reynell and Iris Du Pre. She studied at Sheffield University, gaining a BA Hons in Music. This was followed by a Licentiate of the Guildhall School of Music in Piano Teaching. Anne then pursued further training in the Alexander Technique and Piano from Nelly Ben-Or and Nerissa Kisdon. She also studied Jazz with Richard Michael, Pete Churchill and Scott Stroman.
Anne has many years' experience teaching piano, musicianship, improvisation, ensemble, choirs and jazz in primary, secondary, special schools and privately. She was a Piano teacher for Sheffield University from 1976-2007, conductor of the Cantores choir from 1994-2002 and 2005-2008, and has taught at Sheffield Music School since 1987.
Did you know? When asked who was her favourite composer, Anne came up with a long list: "Bill Evans, Philip Cashian, Purcell, Mozart, Josquin Des Prez, Haydn, Prokofiev, Mussorgsky, Debussy, Bach, Monteverdi, Beethoven, Bartok, James MacMillan..... HOW DO YOU CHOOSE?" At least the choice of Unfavourite Composer is a bit simpler - that unfortunate title goes to Schumann.
Some other interesting snippets:
- Favourite piece: 4' 33"
- Favourite food: Marzipan
- Favourtie colour: Octarine
- Secret passion: Languages
- BIG SECRET: Underneath I'm just a softie
Tim Page
Instrument: French Horn
Musical Background: Tim studied French Horn at the Royal Northern College of Music for 5 years, graduating in 2002 with a Masters Degree in Performance. In the same year he was also awarded the British Reserve Prize for Horn in Memory of Sydney Coulston. During his studies at the RNCM Tim began working as a freelance Horn player, and since then has worked with many orchestras including the BBC Philharmonic, Hallé, Manchester Camerata, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Opera North and Welsh National Opera. Tim is also active as a chamber musician and teacher. As well as working for Sheffield Music School he teaches Horn privately and for the Sheffield Music Service.
Did you know? Tim's favourite composer - "anything with lots of Horns, so Mahler, Richard Strauss and Wagner." Favourite vegetable - cucumber!
Tim is partial to a bit of acting and played Romeo in Romeo and Juliet.
Tom Spencer
Instrument: Violin
Musical Background: Tom has been playing violin in Sheffield ensembles for many years. He led the City of Sheffield Youth Orchestra, and before going to University he was a student at Sheffield Music School. Tom has just finished a Music Degree at the University of Manchester, and is now studying for a Masters Degree in Performance at the Royal Northern College of Music with Benedict Holland. Tom is enjoying being back at Sheffield Music School! His favourite composer is Shostakovich.
Did you know? "The only weird thing I can think of is that I can touch my nose with my tongue." ...not sure how that fits in with playing a violin, but never mind!
Gina Walters
Instrument: Voice (Soprano - though she claims gravity seems to be pulling her down to a mezzo!)
Musical Background: Gina graduated from Sheffield University in Summer 2010 with a 1st Class BMus Degree and is currently combining lots of teaching with performing in and around Sheffield. She was a chorister at Sheffield Cathedral for 6 years, becoming Head Chorister in 2006. During her time there she recorded various CDs and Radio broadcasts, and toured the USA, Germany and France.
Gina's singing heroine has to be her very first singing teacher, the young (amazing amazing amazing) soprano Elizabeth Watts who has since gone on to greater things, even a Classical Brit nomination.
Not only does Gina strive to conquer the singing world classically, she sings as part of 3 live bands: Twins, Screaming Maldini (with a funny looking keys player...) and under her own name.
Did you know? Gina has a wardrobe bursting with delightful/eccentric vintage dresses that she usually reserves for gigs and partayz, but you never know, Saturday mornings could be the new Friday night for Gina's not so fashionable outings...
David Ward
Instrument: Piano / Trumpet
Musical Background: David studied at The Royal College of Music as a pianist and trumpeter, but was much influenced (conducting, singing and compostition) by Sir David Willcocks. Further study followed at Sheffield City College of Education, Sheffield University and Leicester University. He's been a school teacher since 1975, and joined Sheffield Music School staff in 1976. David's favourite composer is JS Bach.
Did you know? "My first paid musical job (aged about 12) was playing trumpet in performances of Britten's "Noye's Fludde" with the Queen and Prince Phillip in the audience; Princess Anne was playing some home-made percussion instrument (milk bottles I think) at the same time."
Shelagh Webb
Instrument: Violin
Musical Background: Shelagh studied Violin with Howard Davis at The Royal Academy of Music, winning the Winifred Small Violin prize and obtaining her LRAM while she was there. During her playing career she worked with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, Britten Sinfoina and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. During 18 months living in Ireland she played with the RTE National Symphony Orchestra and Concert Orchestra. She has also played for West End Shows and on several film scores.
Shelagh has taught the Violin and Viola for East Sussex, Surrey and Berkshire Music Services, and was on the staff at Tonbridge Grammar School for Girls before moving to Sheffield in 2005.
Did you know? In her cool days, Shelagh appeared in a Take That video!
