King’s is proud to offer one-to-one tuition in almost every instrument and style, enabling all King’s students to thrive.
Students normally start individual instrumental/voice lessons from Year 3 onwards. Individual lessons last 30 minutes and take place during the school day. Some lessons may take place before or after school by arrangement. Instrumental lessons are arranged on a rotating timetable and are fully supported by teaching staff in all divisions.
Students taking up instrumental lessons at King's are required to purchase or hire an instrument in the first instance. We can advise where instruments can be hired and would recommend consulting with a music teacher before purchasing an instrument.
Students are entered for ABRSM, Trinity or Rockschool exams where appropriate.
Parents are encouraged to support the progress of the students at home.
Our peripatetic teachers provide expert tuition, many of whom maintain active careers as professional musicians.
Meet our Peripatetic Teachers
Mr Gareth Brown - Brass
Mr. Brown has been teaching brass at King’s for over 30 years. He first saw a trombone on a children’s television programme at the age of 2 and eventually his parents bought him a trombone for his 7th birthday. He has never looked back since. He teaches all brass instruments from beginner to Grade 8+ level. Mr. Brown loves the versatility of brass – being used in all styles of music from high opera to pop music! Mr. Brown plays in local orchestras, brass bands and chamber groups, has played a number of trombone concertos with orchestra and is also a published composer.
Mr. Joel Heywood - Drums
Mr. Heywood teaches the drum kit at King’s and is also the leader of Synergy drum corps. He has been playing the drums since he was six years old alongside his Father at church. He later went on to study music performance, gaining a master's degree from Salford University. Since graduating he has had a varied career working as a session musician with some of the best musicians in the country. Mr. Heywood is an extremely passionate teacher and loves to pass on the knowledge and experience he has acquired to his students.
Mr Dan Priest - Percussion
Mr. Priest enjoyed Piano and Trumpet from an early age but Drums & Percussion soon took over and led to school ensembles, County Youth Orchestras, Musical Theatre productions as well as rock and jazz bands. He played with the National Youth Wind Orchestra and National Youth Orchestra with performances at the BBC Proms and he held a scholarship at the Royal Northern College of Music Junior Department. Mr. Priest studied at Birmingham University (BMus HONS) and Bournemouth University (MA) then lived in the south with a busy schedule of professional performing and teaching jobs. This included many years within Southampton University’s flagship music department. A planned relocation brought Mr. Priest and his family to the Peak District in 2015. As well as 2 teaching posts and professional performing, Mr. Priest enjoys walking, gardening and DIY.
Mr. Ben Gorb – Guitar
Mr. Gorb is a full-time professional musician with over ten years of teaching experience. He holds a Master’s degree in Popular Music from the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) and is active both as a teacher and performer.
He offers electric and acoustic guitar lessons, tailored to all ability levels, from complete beginners to advanced players.
Mr. Gorb performs regularly as a solo acoustic artist and with rock bands on electric guitar. As a performer, he is passionate about sharing his stagecraft and inspiring young people to play.
Mrs Rachel Lancaster-Wilson - Guitar
Mrs. Lancaster-Wilson has over 15 years of experience in teaching Classical, Electric, Acoustic and Bass Guitar. Mrs. Lancaster-Wilson holds a Diploma of Higher Education from the Royal Northern College of Music, a Music degree from the University of Salford and MA from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. In addition, Mrs. Lancaster-Wilson holds a Dip (ABRSM) specialising in Classical Guitar teaching, and a Licentiate (LRSL) in Electric Guitar teaching. At King’s, Mrs. Lancaster-Wilson runs the Guitar Ensembles which are available to students in both the Junior and Senior Division. When not teaching, Mrs. Lancaster-Wilson enjoys birdwatching and painting miniatures, though not at the same time.
Mrs Wendy Jackson - Classical Guitar
Miss Jackson is an extremely experienced teacher of classical guitar having taught pupils of all ages and abilities. As well as her work at King’s, she heads the guitar department at the renowned specialist music school, Chetham’s School of Music, and is also the classical guitar specialist at the University of Manchester. For Chetham’s, Miss Jackson has organised public guitar weekends and festivals in addition to the busy schedule of chamber music and recitals for her students. She has seen many of her former pupils going on to have successful careers as professional musicians. During her own playing career, Miss Jackson has performed throughout Europe, and has undertaken a British Council tour of Africa, as well as appearing several times on British TV and radio. She has also performed extensively as part of a duo playing original 19th century instruments. Studying at the Royal Northern College of Music with the highly respected pedagogue Gordon Crosskey and John Williams, she became the first guitarist at the conservatoire to receive a scholarship.
Outside of music, Miss Jackson has two German shepherd dogs who like to keep her entertained and well exercised, a Citroen 2CV called Florence, and she is also passionate about architectural conservation.
Mr Mark Watson - Keyboard
Mr. Watson brings over 30 years of experience teaching keyboard, piano, and guitar in local primary and secondary schools. He has taught whole-class music, as well as group and individual lessons for students of all ages and abilities. Seeing the keyboard as a versatile and creative instrument, Mr. Watson encourages students to explore different styles while building strong musical foundations. Outside the classroom, he plays in a local band, bringing real-world experience to his teaching. Passionate about inspiring a love of music, Mr. Watson helps students grow in skill, creativity, and confidence.
Mr Banerjee - Piano
Mr. Banerjee is a pianist based in South Manchester. He graduated from Royal Northern College of Music with a Masters of Piano in 2024, having previously completed a BMus in Music at the University of Manchester. Mr. Banerjee is a collaborative pianist who works with chamber musicians, specialising in contemporary music. He toured India in December 2024 with the Azure Quartet, performing Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time. He has also given violin-piano duo recitals in chamber series across Germany and India. Mr. Banerjee enjoys discovering and amplifying new works and has given multiple UK and European premieres alongside duo partner Sean Morrison. Away from music, Mr. Banerjee is also a cricket and table tennis coach at King’s!
Mrs Jo Beesley - Piano
Mrs. Beesley joined King’s as Assistant Director of Music in 1983, with a degree in Music from Bristol University, a P.G.C.E from Cambridge and having studied Piano at the Royal Academy of Music and 'Cello with Michael Evans of the Dartington String Quartet. With a love of conducting and composing too, there was much to contribute and enjoy. This included leading the school choir to national acclaim, performing on television and radio, and throughout Europe. These days, Mrs. Beesley delights in Piano teaching and the special rapport of one-to-one lessons. She combines this with lay preaching in the Methodist Church, playing chamber music and being a granny!
Mr Kwangho Lee – Piano
Mr. Lee was born in South Korea and began playing the piano at an early age. He studied at Aberdeen City Music School and has won many competitions and Music Festivals across Scotland, including 1st prize in The Moray Piano Competition, Aberdeen Young Musician of the Year 2005 and 2nd prize in Emanuel Trophy Piano Competition in London. He received a scholarship to study at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), completing both undergraduate and Masters under the tutelage of Carole Presland and Helen Krizos. He has appeared as a soloist and as a collaborative musician in the North West, across the UK, France, Norway, Korea and Japan. One of his performing highlights is playing a concerto on Cole Porter Piano in the American Cathedral in Paris.
In recent years, teaching has become his major commitment. Mr. Lee joined King’s School in 2022 and he enjoys working with students to develop their talents to the full. He also teaches at Junior RNCM.
Mr Dan Whieldon - Piano
Mr. Whieldon grew up in Staffordshire and for his undergraduate studies went to the Birmingham Conservatoire to study classical piano with Gordon Fergus-Thompson. While there, he developed his love for jazz music and went to study at the Royal Conservatoire in Brussels for his Masters.
He won the Nottingham international jazz piano competition in 2008 where his prize was a new piano. Mr. Whieldon has played on the UK jazz scene for the last 20 years with several visiting players from around the world. His albums have been played on BBC radio and he has received positive reviews from the press. He has taught piano at King’s for 15 years and teaches jazz piano at the Royal Northern College of Music and Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester.
Mrs Helen Whiteley - Piano
Mrs. Whiteley studied the horn, piano and voice at Chetham’s School of Music, before completing an honours degree in music and education at Cambridge University where she was a member of Trinity and Clare college choirs. She has toured the world as a musician, including live performances and recordings. Having taught in both peripatetic and class teacher roles, she has been a piano teacher at King’s for the last ten years. As well as being a pianist, she plays in the Silk Brass Band and sings in the Manchester Chorale. She is passionate about making music accessible to everyone and has been involved in running various initiatives and workshops and working with musical charities that support this ethos.
Mr Samuel Jackson - Singing
Cheshire based baritone Mr. Jackson grew up in Holmes Chapel studying singing with Patrick McGuigan and piano with Kelvin Leslie. In 2012 he began his studies at Manchester's Royal Northern College of Music, graduating with a BMus (hons) first class in 2016, and a masters in 2018 under Nicholas Powell.
Mr. Jackson’s performing experience includes the roles of Bobinet (La Vie Parisienne) and George Jones (Street Scene) for RNCM Opera, Marcello in Flat Pack music's production of La Boheme, and Papageno for Opera Anywhere’s The Magic Flute. Chorus work includes the 2017 tour with the National G&S Opera Company, Buxton International Festival’s young artist programme in 2018, and productions of Aida, Carmen and Parsifal with Opera North between 2019 and 2022. Samuel performed in the chorus of The Flying Dutchman with Grange Park Opera in summer 2022 and returned in 2023 for Tristan und Isolde.
As well as King’s, Mr. Jackson also teaches singing at Chethams School of Music and the Junior RNCM.
Mrs Rosie Lomas - Singing
Soprano Mrs. Lomas combines almost fifteen years of teaching experience with an eclectic operatic career. She is currently touring as a soloist with English National Opera and has worked as a soloist with ENO, Longborough and Holland Park, as well as throughout Europe, playing a mix of animals, children, and divas in operas ranging from Monteverdi to Philip Glass.
Mrs. Lomas has a real love for teaching and takes pride in giving her students a technical ‘tool box’ of how to use and care for their voice. Alongside her technical teaching Mrs. Lomas fosters a warm and encouraging atmosphere in her lessons, as singing should, at its heart, be a joyful thing!
Ms Alexandra Fletcher - Violin
Ms. Fletcher was taught violin and viola by her mum from age 3. She started teaching during her gap year and continued to teach at schools in London during her studies at the Royal College of Music. After graduating, Ms. Fletcher began freelancing as well as teaching violin and viola, regularly performing with the Halle, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Manchester Camerata and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
In 2009, Ms. Fletcher joined the orchestra of Opera North before moving to her current position in the BBC Philharmonic in 2010. The orchestra regularly performs at their studio in MediaCityUK, the Bridgewater Hall, the Royal Albert Hall as part of the BBC Proms and other venues around the UK, as well as touring around Europe and internationally.
Ms Juliet Colville - Clarinet and Saxophone
Ms. Colville studied at the Royal Northern College of Music, gaining both BMus(Hons) and MMus degrees and was the leader of the National Youth Wind Orchestra. Since graduating, Ms. Colville has worked with the Halle, Royal Northern Sinfonia and New Sinfonia, and is the leader of the British Clarinet Ensemble. She has performed as a deputy for various touring shows as well as being a member of the Thursford Christmas Spectacular Orchestra. Ms. Colville is a tutor on the Windstruments Clarinet Summer School, has participated in education work with the BBC NOW and is the musical director of the Windstruments Clarinet Choir.
Mr Kevin Dearden - Saxophone
Mr. Dearden took up music at a young age and was a semi-professional guitarist and bass player by the age of sixteen. At twenty-one Mr. Dearden took up the saxophone, quickly earning a place to study at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM).
Already having a passionate interest in both teaching and jazz, Mr. Dearden found himself running and conducting the RNCM Jazz ensemble in the senior college and teaching jazz improvisation at the RNCM Junior School. His musical career highlights include being a member of the Monte Carlo Casino and Monte Carlo Sporting Club house bands as well as working for a number of major artists including Barry White, Shirley Bassey and Paul Anka.
Mr. Dearden has a longstanding connection with King’s where he has taught saxophone as well as working with and conducting many school ensembles including the very popular school big band.
Ms Zoe Goode - Flute
Ms. Goode attended the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, in London. After graduation, she performed with orchestras around the UK before accepting the position of Principal Piccolo with the Orquesta Filarmonica de Santiago, Chile. Upon relocating to the USA, Ms. Goode was the Acting Associate Principal Flute and subsequently Third Flute/Piccolo for the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, a member of Chamber Music Hawaii and played for Hawaii Opera Theatre. After returning to live in the UK, Ms. Goode now combines freelance performing with teaching the flute and piano and is an examiner for ABRSM. Ms. Goode is the flute teacher at King’s.