Meet the Visiting Music Teachers (VMTs)
Mr A Whitham - Teacher of Acoustic and Electric Guitar
Mr Whitham is a multi instrumentalist, arranger and composer with a highly respected international reputation. He is one of the 7 guitarists in Daevid Allen's Glissando Guitar Orchestra. Mr Whitham has over the past several years played in some of the finest Acoustic Bands, most notably the legendary Bushbury Mountain Daredevils and The Late Night Band, who for many years was regarded as two of the finest acts in the UK. He has performed at concerts all over the world with members of Fariport Convention, Jay Sean, Gong, Damo Suzuki, Blowzabella, Daevid Allen, The Electric Light Orchestra, Acid Mothers Temple, Dave Steward and has studied the Hansa Veena with renowned Indian classical musician Barun Kumar Pal. As a well-respected solo artist he has produced 11 solo albums, which have met with much critical acclaim. In fact his album Ramshackle Pier was voted instrumental album of the year by top acoustic magazine Froots. His masterly playing of the Bouzouki and Weissenborn acoustic slide guitar is in regular demaind for use on many television and film soundtrack work.
Miss S Minchin - Teacher of Violin
Miss Minchin has enjoyed a very busy and varied freelance career since graduating with a first class honors degree from Birmingham Conservatoire in 2001. During her studies, she was the lead violinist of the Birmingham Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra and also won the Herbert Lumby Violin Prize. Miss Minchin has performed and toured with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra as an extra-player and has undertaken regular work with The English Symphony Orchestra. She has also played for many years as a first violinist with Longborough Festival Opera. Alongside her orchestral playing, Miss Minchin has performed several solo works with various local orchestras over the years. In 2017, she was appointed as the violinist in Nottinghamshire based 'Highly Strung Quartet' and they have recently played in a concert filmed by the BBC at Royal Nottingham Concert Hall. Miss Minchin is also the leader of 'Toscana Strings' and has regularly led orchestras for various ensembles and choral concerts. She has carved a name for herself as a jazz violinist over the last 19 years and has a great passion for the music of Stephane Grappelli. Miss Minchin's award winning quintet 'Fret and Fiddle' have enjoyed many years of success playing venues around the UK and abroad.
Mrs S de Visser - Teacher of Singing
Mrs de Visser is a highly experienced professional soprano singer, who's work takes her the length and breadth of the UK as a soloist and consort singing where she has performed in theatre stage, TV, radio and cinema. Mrs de Visser prides herself on her multi-genre singing capability, which allows her to go from singing the most complicated opera arias, to a simple light folk song, or pop hit. She has undertaken professional singing engagements with many groups including Ex-Cathedra Birmingham Opera Company, Armonico Consort, Welsh National Opera and last year she performed in The Royal Shakespeare Company for a 9 month run of Macbeth, in Stratford-upon-Avon and the Barbican, London, alongside Christopher Eccleston (who played Dr Who). Mrs de Visser has gained several Music Leader Conductor qualifications through 'Sing for Pleasure', the Town Hall/Symphony Hall music mentorship scheme, and Ex Cathedra Education, and thanks to this training; she regularly conducts a number of choirs across Birmingham and West Midlands. As a singing teacher and workshop leader, she is in high demand and regularly works in schools and colleges with Welsh National Opera and Birmingham Opera Company, where she leads a 30 strong refugee choir.
Miss D Okeghie - Teacher of Woodwind
Miss Okeghie is a multi-talented teacher, performer, and arranger of music for all types of ensembles including Orchestras, Jazz Band, flute and clarinet quartets, and piano solos. She showed talent at an early age, passing Grade 8 on piano and clarinet by the time she was 17. Whilst at school, she went on tour abroad with both The Nottinghamshire County Concert Band and County Orchestra; also winning first prize at the Derby Music Festival. After her time at school, she impressively gained a place at The Royal Academy of Music to study piano and clarinet. There, she developed her skills as a concert pianist, accompanist and instrumental soloist, whilst gaining a Degree in Music and teaching diplomas on both instruments. Miss Okeghie soon became additionally proficient on saxophone and flute. On leaving the Academy she began her career teaching all four instruments, whilst also conducting and arranging music for school orchestras and jazz bands. More recently Miss Okeghie has been a member of The National Saxophone Choir and the AD Concert Band; she plays in a clarinet quartet; and leads the worship band at her local church. She continues to use her piano accompaniment skills in many concerts and remains keen to pass on her love for music to her pupils, whilst encouraging them to develop their own talents and love for all styles of music.
Mrs R Smith - Teacher of Woodwind
Mrs Smith has established herself as both a flautist and a flute teacher working in the Midlands. Rachel graduated from the Birmingham Conservatoire in 2002 with BMus (Hons) and then gained her LRSM. She enjoys teaching the flute and has had pupils in the National Youth Orchestra and others have gained places in English Music Colleges. She also teaches clarinet, saxophone, theory and piano, as well as regularly accompanying children in exams.
As a performer, Mrs Smith has performed for the 'Royal Shakespeare Company' as well as in many local ‘pit’ orchestras for various musicals. As a chamber musician she has given recitals across the Midlands in venues including; the Concerts in Rural Churches series in Warwickshire, the Lincoln International Chamber Music Festival, Toddington Festival Music Society and Bewdley Arts Festival.
Mr E Smith - Teacher of Lower Strings
At the age of five, Mr Smith began playing the cello, sitting on two encyclopaedias and a small stool. He grew up in South Northamptonshire and started developing his passion for music while performing in many of the County Youth Music ensembles before going on to study at the Birmingham Conservatoire 1997-2001.
Twenty years later, Mr Smith is continuing to perform and teach extensively in the West Midlands, enjoying a busy career as both a freelance musician and educator. Often found performing in orchestras (Midland Concert Orchestra, Heart of England Symphony Orchestra) string quartets (concerts and functions) and theatre pits (Wolverhampton Grand Theatre). Enjoying teaching whole classes, small groups or individuals music mainly through the cello. Helping to conduct and coach ensembles including Birmingham Schools Symphony Orchestra, the National Scouts and Guides Symphony Orchestra and on a Summer School Chamber Music Course.
Over the years many of Mr Smith’s students have been able to develop from absolute beginners into post Grade 8 standard on their instrument, accessing performance opportunities, exams, orchestras and ensembles that Ed has helped to run along the way. There is immense satisfaction watching and being a part of a student making their journey through the stepping stones of musical achievement.
Mr M Archer - Teacher of Drums and Percussion
Mr Archer is a studio and touring drummer who has been teaching at Highclare School since 2003. He began his professional career as a session musician working with Warner Bros music in 1985. During this period he recorded and toured with a number of musical projects covering a wide variety of musical genres from rock, to pop and reggae. In the very late 80's he became the resident house drummer at Birmingham Jazz Club. This inspired him to develop his technical and musical skills further and he attended the Percussion Institute of Technology in West London for 2 years, under the tutelage of world renowned French educator Francis Seriau, studying advance rhythmic concepts, styles and techniques. He has since gone on to tour, record and appeared on television with the likes of UB40, Bitty Mclean and Simply Red.
Mr J Barber - Teacher of Piano and Keyboard
Mr Barber
Mr M Sharpe - Teacher of Brass
Mr Sharpe
Mrs B Sleaford - Teacher of Woodwind and Piano
Mrs Sleaford actually began her musical life playing the violin at the age of 5. However, she soon realised that she was more suited to woodwind instruments and swapped to flute at 9 years old. Whilst studying for her grade 8 at the age of 16, Mrs Sleaford decided that it was time for a new challenge and began learning saxophone and piano as well. Since then, Mrs Sleaford has also achieved Grade 8 oboe and learnt the clarinet! During her studies, Mrs Sleaford competed in the Huntingdonshire Young Musician of the Year competition in which she placed 2nd and the Leamington Spa Competitive Festival in which she came 1st in the Duet Class, 2nd in the 15 and Over Class and 3rd in the French Composers Class. Mrs Sleaford also enjoyed playing in many different ensembles including the Huntingdonshire Youth Concert Band and the World’s Largest Orchestra at Birmingham’s NIA (now Utilita Arena) with Sir Simon Rattle conducting. Whilst studying Music and Media Studies at university, Mrs Sleaford performed as 1st Flute/piccolo with the music department orchestra and the wind band. Mrs Sleaford continued her further education with an MA in Journalism, specialising in music journalism. As part of this course, Mrs Sleaford interviewed Dame Evelyn Glennie and worked with the CBSO in their press department. After leaving university, Mrs Sleaford began playing tenor saxophone with the Sharmaniares Big Band, principal flute/piccolo with Stourbridge Choir and Orchestra and performing with AD Concert Band as an extra player on a number of different instruments. Since 2011, Mrs Sleaford has performed as part of the pit band for Coventry Scouts Gang Show at the Belgrade Theatre playing flute, tenor saxophone and clarinet. Mrs Sleaford has also been known to perform on the stage herself in musicals and pantomimes. Mrs Sleaford has since been teaching for over 15 years and since teaching at Highclare she has developed a keen interest in arranging music and enjoys arranging pieces for flute duets, quartets and wind ensembles to share with her pupils.
Mrs K Harding - Teacher of Piano and Keyboard
Mrs Harding has been playing the piano since the age of 6. She has gained Grade 8 in both piano and organ examinations and Grade 8 in music theory. She has also studied a 2 year course in music composition and harmony under the guidance of the late Barry Draycott who was the senior examiner of the London College of Music. Mrs Harding has been teaching piano and keyboard both in schools and privately for over 35 years. She also taught at the Technics Music Academy attached to Colbecks Music shop in New Oscott. Mrs Harding gained a music teaching certificate in 1996 and thoroughly enjoys her teaching work. As well as her teaching, Mrs Harding undertakes accompaniment work for choirs and regularly takes part in concerts around the Midlands.
Please click on the link below for more information on peripatetic lessons: