Our Tutors | Cherry Garden Music

Stuart Barker

Co partner of the school Stuart Barker is a graduate of Birmingham Conservatoire where he studied Jazz bass. Prior to this he studied under John Summerfield in the classical discipline achieving his grade 8 in 5 years tuition.

Stuart has played at Ronnie Scotts, 606 club, Southbank, The Vortex and many more leading venue in the UK and across the world.

He is a passionate teacher who aims to get every pupil to performance level whilst always making sure everyone has had fun in the process.

Bertie Atkinson

Bertie, a graduate from City University is a London-based musician and teacher working from a fully-equipped, personal recording studio in North West London. Having specialised in Jazz Drum Kit under Andrew Bain, he has gone on to perform at The Royal Albert Hall, St David’s Hall, The Barbican Centre, The Vortex and many more.

His remote session work has allowed him to connect with a wide array of artists across the world. His enthusiasm and dedication to the instrument encourages all students from complete beginners, to those looking to further their playing professionally. Working from a number of resources, he is able to guide his students through lessons on technique, performance, notation, and aural practices.

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Jon Scott

Jon is a drum teacher devoted to helping students achieve their drumming goals whatever that may be. He has been teaching since 2010, offering individual and group lessons from my studio as well as in many schools throughout Berkshire.

His journey of music education began at Reading College, to then pursue 5 years at The Academy Of Contemporary Music where he obtained a 2:1 Degree in Contemporary Music. Here he studied with many of the leading UK musicians. It was here that he gained further experience playing live and learning drummer skills.

After achieving a distinction grade 8 with Trinity Guildhall he began offering private lessons in 2010 and soon realised this his my dream job.

Lucy Fosker

Lucinda graduated from Birmingham Conservatoire in 2015 with a degree in Jazz Voice where she was privileged enough to learn with some of the greats such as Anita Wardell, Tina May, Norma Winstone, Liane Carroll, John Taylor and Mark Armstrong.

Prior to this she started her musical career at The Academy of Contemporary Music where she joined the ACM Gospel choir and sung backing vocals with names such as Labrinth, Alexandra Burke and Stacey Soloman. She has also performed at the FA Cup final, The London 2012 Olympics and had the honour of singing for the Queen at the Windsor Royal Tattoo. Lucinda has always loved teaching and working with young people whether that may be one to one or in a group setting.

Nicole Austin

Nicole is a South African director, writer, performer, and experienced singing teacher. Having played piano since the age of 7 and studied Musical Theatre and Drama for four years, she has a deep understanding of vocal performance.

Since 2019, Nicole has taught private piano and singing to students of all ages, including adults, helping them prepare for exams or simply improve their technique for personal enjoyment. She also specializes in coaching clients for musical theatre auditions, drawing on her diverse industry experience.

Lucy Fosker - Pop & Classical Piano

Lucinda graduated from Birmingham Conservatoire in 2015 with a degree in Jazz Voice where she was privileged enough to learn with some of the greats such as Anita Wardell, Tina May, Norma Winstone, Liane Carroll, John Taylor and Mark Armstrong.

Prior to this she started her musical career at The Academy of Contemporary Music where she joined the ACM Gospel choir and sung backing vocals with names such as Labrinth, Alexandra Burke and Stacey Soloman. She has also performed at the FA Cup final, The London 2012 Olympics and had the honour of singing for the Queen at the Windsor Royal Tattoo. Lucinda has always loved teaching and working with young people whether that may be one to one or in a group setting.

Shauna Redman - Specialist in Beginner Piano

Shauna is our specialist early years teacher and beginner piano teacher. Shauna is a fully qualified montessorri teacher and also a great pianist.

These two skill sets means that she has a patient and calm approach to the piano and is expert in working and explaining to young children especially.

All of her students have a great grounding in the basics of the piano and usually progress on to another tutor when they reach Grade 1 standard.

Marlia Coetzer - Advanced Piano

Marli graduated with a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of the Free State, South Africa in 2007. She is a performing flautist and piano teacher with over 12 years experience.

Some of her top musical achievements include, performing as a soloist with both the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra in 2002, and the Randburg City Orchestra in 2003.

In 2014 Marli was invited to reside and perform at the Cite des Arts in Paris France where she received masterclasses from Nicolas Duchamp. Marli is a passionate one-to-one tutor as well as an experienced class music teacher.

Jonathan Judge - Pop & Jazz Piano

Jonathan is originally from South Africa, and is an in demand performer with Jazz and Pop groups performs nationally. He is also a music educator with several years experience working in primary and secondary schools.

Jonathan teaches piano and also woodwind, including clarinet and saxophone.

He loves educating and is even writing a music education book about the best loved saxophone solos. Jonathan strives to get the best out of all of his pupils regardless of age and ability.

Ioana Tanase - Piano

Ioana graduated from the University of West London with a Bachelor in Music Performance and Recording. She also has a higher education diploma in piano and a wide range of experience from performing for the last 12 years.

Music has always been the language that helped her interact with the people around me, and she wants to share this with other music lovers.

She is confident with teaching any age range and any level no matter if this is beginner or advanced. Together she will work with you towards the grades, performance or to help you build a noble hobby.

Lok-Sum Ma - Apprentice Piano Tutor

Lok-Sum has been playing piano since she was 5 years old, achieving a Distinction in her grade 8 practical exam when she was just 14 years old. She also completed her grade 5 music theory exam a few years prior.

Playing music has been her passion throughout the whole of her life, and she is determined to inspire others to discover their own love for music.

She is dedicated to making lessons fun and enjoyable, to give students the opportunity to thrive in playing music.

Jenny McEwan - Violin

Originally from Glasgow, Jenny is a Viola player who graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2021 with a Masters in Music

Jenny has toured Italy, Prague and the UK with multiple orchestras, and has sat in on side by side rehearsals with the London Symphony Orchestra at St Lukes. Jenny is passionate about teaching, and believes learning should be fun and educational.

She has taught both Violin and Viola for 8 years, and has experience in teaching all ages and abilities.

Carolina Lopez Del-Nero - Cello

Carolina is a cellist trained at the Royal College of Music. Career highlights include freelancing with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, playing with Alicia Keys for 'Queen Charlotte: a Bridgerton Story', and orchestral tours to India and Mexico as part of the South Asian Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra of the Americas.

Her teaching experience started with private tuition and working with El Sistema Scotland, before moving down to London where she has tutored for the RCM Teaching Service, RCM Sparks, and for several other music services and schools. She particularly enjoy teaching chamber music and making sure that every child has access to world-class music education.

Marlia Coetzer - Flute

Marli graduated with a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of the Free State, South Africa in 2007. She is a performing flautist and piano teacher with over 12 years experience.

Some of her top musical achievements include, performing as a soloist with both the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra in 2002, and the Randburg City Orchestra in 2003.

In 2014 Marli was invited to reside and perform at the Cite des Arts in Paris France where she received masterclasses from Nicolas Duchamp. Marli is a passionate one-to-one tutor as well as an experienced class music teacher.

Jonathan Judge - Clarinet & Saxophone

Jonathan is originally from South Africa, and is an in demand performer with Jazz and Pop groups performs nationally. He is also a music educator with several years experience working in primary and secondary schools.

Jonathan teaches piano and also woodwind, including clarinet and saxophone.

He loves educating and is even writing a music education book about the best loved saxophone solos. Jonathan strives to get the best out of all of his pupils regardless of age and ability.

Stuart Barker - Guitar, Bass & Double Bass

Co partner of the school Stuart Barker is a graduate of Birmingham Conservatoire where he studied Jazz bass. Prior to this he studied under John Summerfield in the classical discipline achieving his grade 8 in 5 years tuition.

Stuart has played at Ronnie Scotts, 606 club, Southbank, The Vortex and many more leading venue in the UK and across the world.

He is a passionate teacher who aims to get every pupil to performance level whilst always making sure everyone has had fun in the process.

Dave Cookson - Guitar, Ukulele & Bass

Dave has been a gigging musician since he was 14 years old. Playing live is a passion of his, having toured the uk, playing at numerous festivals and supporting bands including Skindred, Your Demise, and Polar.

Another passion of Dave's is teaching guitar. He has taught guitar for almost 20 years now. He is an expert in teaching various styles including: Rock, Metal, Indie, Blues, Funk and Jazz.

Dave is available to teach Guitar, Ukulele and Bass Guitar.