Music Lessons for All Ages and Abilities
10am - 8pm Monday - Sunday
94 High Street
Penge
London
SE20 7EZ
Tel: 0208 676 0926
Meet the Teachers
Our highly experienced teachers can teach a wide range of different instruments, styles and in different languages. Whether you want to do graded exams or learn for fun, Twang Music Academy's teachers can help you reach your instrumental goals.
Jose Requena
Saxophone, Recorder, Flute, Clarinet, Mandolin, Piano & Ukulele.
Jose is a skilled and multi-talented musician with a strong foundation in classical training. Born in Venezuela, he studied at The Conservatoire 'Simon Bolivar' and performed in The Orchestra of Margarita, Venezuela. He is an international performer and founder of the group 'Esamble 4', which has represented Venezuela at many international events. Jose now lives and teaches in London, bringing his wealth of knowledge and experience to his teaching. He approaches all his lessons with a relaxed and adaptable attitude, gaining the best from the student in each lesson. His teaching and musical career is extensive and he has been teaching with us for over 12 years. Jose can conduct lessons in English and Spanish.
Josh Wolfsohn
Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Double Bass, Ukulele
Josh is an experienced music tutor and session musician who is proficient in guitar, bass, double bass and ukulele. He’s performed at notable venues (including Roundhouse, Jazz Café and Ronnie’s bar) and at many major UK festivals (Boomtown, Bestival, The Great Escape, Standon Calling, Shambala, Cambridge Folk etc.) He’s also played on numerous albums, EP’s and singles, including a handful of signed artists. Alongside this, he’s worked in a number of function bands, playing at weddings, private parties, corporate events and previously on ships. This is across a wide range of styles, including Pop/Rock/Soul, Jazz and Traditional Folk. His work for artists extends beyond playing and includes songwriting, production/arranging and recording/mixing/mastering. With his own music he’s released an album and two EP’s through Omniphonic Records. Last year he graduated from Goldsmiths, University of London, having studied their revered Popular Music degree. Josh teaches all ages and abilities, whether it’s taking new students through their first musical steps, or helping experienced musicians take their playing to the next level."
Daniella Abounassar
Piano & Cello
Daniella is a piano and cello tutor. She is currently undertaking her BMus (Hons) degree at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. She currently holds a Grade 8 Distinction in Piano as well as the ABRSM Diploma in Piano performance. She also has a Grade 7 in Cello, and a Grade 8 in Music Theory. Daniella is a member of the South East London Orchestra, the London Musical Theatre Orchestra, the Asteri Piano Duet, founder of the TLFV Orchestra and has performed as a soloist and as part of larger ensembles too. Her vibrant and outgoing personality creates a fun and welcoming environment and she has a great passion for music and teaching. She is flexible to teach all ages and levels and tailors her lessons to best suit her student’s needs whilst supporting them throughout their musical learning experience.
Ryan Kavanagh
Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Bass & Ukulele
Ryan can teach most styles of guitar from beginner to advanced level and students of all ages, but specialises in classic rock and all forms of heavy metal. He is highly experienced in the technical aspects of playing extended range electric guitars such as 7 & 8 string guitars. Ryan works on solo projects and experiments with progressive music ideas. He has a flexible, fast paced approach to teaching to keep students on their toes and keep lessons exciting and engaging.
Matt Dixon
Electric & Acoustic Guitar & Vocals
Matt has just completed his final year of a songwriting degree at BIMM London. Prior to moving to London to attend university, he spent time teaching private guitar lessons with children and adults and spent four years volunteering at the Nene Valley Music Centre as a student staff member, leading and assisting in group guitar sessions with children and teenagers. Coming from a family of professional music teachers, Matt has always been around music tuition in guitar, trumpet and singing from a very young age. Matt specialises in teaching those in the early stages of the learning process and all his lessons are fun and focused on developing a students individual skills and musicality.
Alicia Drummon-Preston
Violin
Alicia started her musical life at the age of 5 – initially with the descant recorder and then quickly progressing through the different sizes. She has fond memories of performing in concerts on a bass recorder which was taller than her! Throughout her school days she delighted in playing guitar, violin, piano, flute and cello, and worked diligently through grade exams achieving Grade 6 in guitar, violin, piano and Grade 8 in cello. For many years she played stringed instruments in various youth and amateur orchestras. “I feel that it is so important for children to have an opportunity to learn a musical instrument. Sometimes you may try two or three different instruments before you find the one that you love best, but music never deserts you once you get the bug.” Alicia particularly enjoys teaching children and witnessing that moment when they start to hear themselves making a great sound.
Francesca Curle
Electric & Acoustic Guitar and Ukulele
Francesca is an enthusiastic and dedicated teacher, who specialises in working with children. She creates a fun learning environment for her students and she likes to tailor her lessons to their individual musical tastes and ability. Francesca has been playing guitar and ukulele from a very young age, in addition to learning music theory, piano, recorder and drums. She gained a distinction for a BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Music Production from BIMM Institute London where she then went on to study for a BA Hons in Songwriting. Throughout her life, Francesca has performed in many types of bands such as guitar ensembles and concert bands in addition to various songwriting and production projects. In all, Francesca is a well rounded and talented musician, who brings life, inspiration and personality to her lessons. Francesca can conduct lessons in English and Italian.
Miranda Gray-Aragoneses
Violin
Miranda is a Grade 8 violinist who plays classical as well as jazz, thrash metal and rock. She has played in many ensembles and collaborated with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra in youth projects. Miranda has been playing violin from the age of 6 and has extensive knowledge on music theory which she also teaches in her lessons. During recent years she has studied music technology and now uses these skills to play electric violin with pedals and other effects. She brings all this knowledge to her lessons ensuring that pupils have a wide variety of choices. Miranda can teach students of all ages and abilities. Miranda can conduct lessons in English and Spanish
Seb Knee-Wright
Electric & Acoustic Guitar
Sebastian's versatile musical ability has earned him opportunities at some of the country's top venues and festivals. He has writing and performance credits on genres spanning contemporary R&B to left-field electronica and has toured extensively with Necktr, Long Legged Creatures and KOYO. He has also done session guitar for hip-hop artists like Nix Northwest, and Lausse The Cat. As a former student of Twang Music Academy, subsequently Seb has gone on to gain substantial musical qualifications and experience: 1:1 BA (hons) Music (popular performance, guitar) at Leeds College of Music., grade 8 Trinity and Guildhall, Rock School guitar, Grade 5 ABRSM music theory, and Grade 8 trombone from Trinity and Guildhall. He has had regular airplay on BBC Radio 1, Radio 6, Radio 2, Jazz FM, Worldwide FM, BBC Introducing, NTS and many other underground online stations. Some notable performances include: The Jazz Cafe, Hootenanny, The Garage, Old Blue Last, Birthdays, Download Festival, Boomtown, Reading and Leeds, Kendal Calling, Camden Rocks, Live at Leeds, Rambling Man, Ealing Jazz Festival, and Manchester Jazz Festival.
Alessandra Curle
Singing Tuition & Vocal Technique
Alessandra is a soul singer and songwriter. Her influences and singing styles are drawn from many different genres, such as jazz, RnB, pop, rock, country and many more. Although she specialises in popular music, she has a classical training and passed grade 5 ABRSM with distinction, as well as passing various musical theatre exams. She pursued a degree in Professional Musicianship focusing on vocals at BIMM university. She has taken part in various national tv shows, such BBC's “Pitch Battle” in 2017. More recently, she has written and produced her own music and is currently recording her own songs. She is a very keen and enthusiastic teacher and helps students at any experience level to achieve the musical aspirations they have with singing and vocals technique. Alessandra can conduct lessons in English and Italian.
Amy Ellis
Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Ukulele & Vocals
Amy specialises in working with children and teenagers with autism, ADHD, dyslexia and behavioural difficulties. She adapts her lessons to meet the needs of the student. She has graduated from BIMM having studied Professional Musicianship (Vocals) obtaining a 1:1 and is currently attending UCL studying for an MA in Music Education. Amy has played the guitar for many years and performed solo, with bands and with other solo artists, most notably at the O2 Academy in Birmingham. She is a singer-songwriter and is looking to release some of her music in the near future.
Elvire Perkins
Violin, Piano and Vocals
Elvire is a Violin, Piano and Vocal tutor. She has recently graduated after studying Music at the University of Manchester in which she was a first study violinist, with second study piano and voice. She holds ABRSM qualifications in Grade 8 Violin and Grade 8 Piano, as well as Grade 8 Singing. Elvire has played in many ensembles across London and Manchester including the Northern Philharmonic Orchestra and The Camerata Players. She currently plays with the Wyatt Sinfonia. Elvire really enjoys teaching and she is passionate about the accessibility of music. She has been involved in a number of outreach projects which focussed on introducing children to all types of music, singing and orchestral playing. She is able to teach students of all levels, across varying styles and will be able to tailor lessons around her student’s individual needs.
Danun Todd
Electric & Acoustic Guitar
As an Institute of Higher Education (Doncaster) graduate, Danun received a foundation diploma in music and music theory. Danun later attended London School of Music where he received a distinction in Sound Engineering and Audio Technology. Having taught privately over the last 20 years, Danun specialises in pop, hard rock and metal guitar styles. Danun regularly performs with his own band, Superfecta with whom he has played and toured across Europe. Danun has recorded and played on many singles and albums and has been teaching with us for 11 years.
Bernardo Larisch
Electric & Acoustic Guitar and Bass
Bernardo is an enthusiastic and passionate bass and guitar teacher currently studying for a degree in bass performance at BIMM London. He approaches his lessons in a fun and relaxed way, aiming to bring out the best in his students. He is an accomplished and versatile musician and can teach many different styles, including pop, rock, blues and jazz. He is also able to teach music theory and harmony. Before moving to London in 2017, Bernardo worked as a musician in Portugal in a variety of musical settings including weddings, functions and orchestras. He has also recorded his debut solo album. As well as teaching, he performs in pop, rock and jazz bands in the London area. Bernado can conduct lessons in English, Portuguese and Spanish.
Eugenia Pikulyk
Violin & Flute
Eugenia is a highly experienced musician who plays professionally and teaches both the violin and flute. During her eight years of teaching practice she worked with students of all ages and levels, including semi-professional amateurs and aspiring professionals. She also has experience of working with student ensembles and conducting. For six years she has been a part of a team of a well-known international American music teaching project, that counts thousands of students from around the world. Originally from Ukraine, Eugenia received her qualifications in Music Arts and Music teaching at the College of Culture and Arts - P. Tchubynskyi Academy of Arts and A. Avdiievskyi Institute of Arts a part of the National Dragomanov University. Eugenia is an active chamber music performer and enjoys experimenting with different styles and genres. As a teacher she is very patient and proactive and motivating. She always strives to reveal the unique personality of each student and encourage them explore their creativity through music.
Prashant Dandiker
Piano & Music Theory
Prashant is a teacher who holds a distinction in ABRSM grade 8 piano. He has been playing piano since the age of 5. he has experience of playing many different styles of music and currently focuses on playing classical and jazz. He also plays the guitar and bass and composes and records his own music. Having performed in many jam sessions, he is highly experienced at playing in an ensemble, as well as performing solo. He is able to teach students of all ages and levels and is flexible in adapting lessons to suit what a student wants to learn and achieve. Prashant can also teach music theory to grade 5 and can teach students to play by ear as well as from sheet music.
Ryan Hamilton
Electric, Acoustic & Bass Guitar
Ryan is a multi-instrumentalist and producer/songwriter who has produced and mixed several commercial releases. He started out playing in function bands from the age of 13. Ryan toured the UK, Europe and the US with a signed band (SHVPES) for around 9 years, as lead guitarist and backing vocalist, playing large venues and festivals. Ryan was a key songwriter in the band and they launched a successful career with an E.P. and 2 Albums released on Universal Records. He has also played session guitar for SLANG at the No.6 Festival and on rapper Yatez’s Album “Smoke & Mirrors”. Ryan specialises in electric guitar, rock and metal music, but also loves to play and teach pop, R&B and many other genres. He is happy to teach students just starting out, or more advanced students looking to improve their electric, acoustic, or bass guitar skills.
Joseph Gusmano
Piano, Trumpet, Guitar,
Music Theory
Joseph is a composer and educator from the Hudson Valley in New York. He received his BA from Vassar College in Music and Philosophy. He went on to complete an MM in Concert Composition and Theory at New York University, where he also taught an undergraduate composition course. Joseph was an adjunct professor of music theory at Dutchess Community College this past year and he is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Practice-Based Research of microtonal composition at Goldsmiths University. In addition to composing a variety of orchestral, chamber, and solo works for the concert stage, Joseph has experience composing and performing for film, folk, rock, and big band groups. He has spent fifteen years studying the trumpet, ten years playing the guitar, and the last seven years studying piano, including a year of self-guided study at the clavichord. Joseph also worked as a substitute teacher in classrooms for five years in New York State public schools.