Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) tutors
Meet the exceptional mentors behind our Centre for Advanced Training. These inspiring professionals guide your young musicians aged 10-18 through their journey of musical growth across strings, piano, wind & brass, singing, guitar, percussion and Music Language & Composition– creating an environment where musical excellence flourishes across classical, folk, and contemporary styles.
James Craig
Principal Study Leader, Strings & Piano Study Leader and Cello Tutor
James joined the cello section of Royal Northern Sinfonia on completing post-graduate studies at the Royal College of Music. In 1995 a Northern Arts scholarship enabled him to study in Israel, Finland, France, Italy and England. Since returning, James has taught and coached extensively. For many years, he wrote and presented string quartet and composition workshops in schools to ‘A-Level’ and beyond. James has given cello masterclasses and workshops in the Baccarelli Institute, Sao Paolo Brasil as well as across the U.K. and Europe. You can find a selection of his not too serious videos on ‘You-Tube’!
At CAT, we support young people in exploring and shaping their own musical identity. Whatever your style or ideas, we welcome them with enthusiasm and help you develop and share music at the highest level. As part of the CAT community, your creativity and drive won’t just shape your own path, they’ll inspire others too. Bring your ambitions to The Glasshouse, where excellence, open-mindedness and inclusion will shape your musical journey and the wider musical landscape.
We look forward to meeting you!
Strings
Chrissie Slater
Chrissie Slater, originally from Belfast, studied viola with Nick Logie at the Royal Northern College of Music, graduating in 1999. After 6 years in the viola section at the BBC National Orchestra of Wales she relocated to the North East. She now plays regularly with Royal Northern Sinfonia and a variety of chamber ensembles – Trio Northumbria, Galvanize Ensemble and Crude Tarmac Strings. Chrissie has performed and recorded with many North East artists such as Paul Smith, Field Music and The Unthanks. Education has always played an important role, having previously worked as Learning Manager for Royal Northern Sinfonia, and currently is Education Director of 360° Festival for the Tertis and Aronowitz International Viola Competitions
Sarah Roberts
Whilst studying at the RNCM Sarah won the Philip Newman prize for Violin and the Terrence Weill Chamber music prize. She was also awarded a Countess of Munster scholarship to continue her studies as a postgraduate. Alongside a varied orchestral career, she’s a long-standing member of the Royal Northern Sinfonia’s first violin section. She performs with the Frankland String Quartet, who are resident at Durham University and performs regularly in the North East, including concerts in the Durham Musicon series. She has also taught chamber music at the university and taken workshops. and recently led the ‘Next Wave 2’ recording for NMC.
Iona Brown
Iona was a scholarship student at RNCM, Manchester, where she was a member of Manchester Camerata, performing as soloist and chamber musician and founder member of Psappha. She guested as section leader and principal with other orchestras including the Hallé. She is principal first violin with RNS, having lead and directed during her career, Head of Strings at Newcastle University, and a principal tutor at Durham University, and at The Glasshouse. She has given masterclasses regionally, and adjudicated preliminary rounds of BBC Young Musician Of The Year. She regularly appears as soloist with regional amateur orchestras and givens recitals across the northeast, devoting time to raising money for charity.
Deborah Thorne
Deborah studied at Clare College Cambridge, the Royal Academy of Music and Maastricht Conservatorium. She has been a member of Royal Northern Sinfonia and the period instrument Avison Ensemble. She has taught baroque cello at RCS and cello at York, Durham and Newcastle universities, and coached on NCO and Pro Corda North courses. She has taught cello and coached chamber music at CAT since 2011.
Duncan Brown
Duncan Brown teaches piano, double bass and composition. He studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and has worked as an orchestral double bass player in the UK, South Africa and Germany, pianist and accompanist, including accompanying for silent films for Tyne Valley Film Festival, and composer. Currently he works as a choir conductor and composer whose works, mostly for choir, are performed widely in the United States.
Chiara Imbalzano Hilton
Chiara is a Graduate of the Newcastle University Folk and traditional music degree and alongside upper-strings tutoring has embarked on an MMus degree MMus focused on the traditional music of southern Italy, exploring her heritage. Before specialising in folk fiddle, Chiara received specialist training in classical technique and loved playing in a variety of orchestras in Berkshire where she grew up; she now performs regularly, drawing on styles from Canada and Scotland, and blending folk and classical influences. As a teacher, Chiara encourages musicality, creativity, and strong all-round musicianship, helping students build skills and a lasting connection with their instrument.
John Garner
A tireless experimenter, mercurial violinist John Garner is one of the most exciting and unusual voices of his generation, combining immaculate technique with a fearless musicality and free-wheeling improvisational aesthetic. A graduate of the Royal College of Music and Guildhall School of Music & Drama, formally trained in Western classical, jazz, South Indian Carnatic and Japanese traditional music, John defies categorisation and is continually seeking new avenues of expression. He is a senior lecturer at Leeds Conservatoire, director of independent record label Turquoise Coconut, and a PhD candidate at Newcastle University, researching the ethics and form of artistic practice. Since 2021, he has been studying the shakuhachi under the tutelage of grandmaster Cornelius Shinzen Boots.
James Dickenson
James studied both in the UK and the US and lists Lydia Mordkovitch, Danny Phillips, Jerry Horner, Wen Zhou Li, and Christopher Rowland as some of his many teachers and mentors. After graduating from the Royal Northern College of Music, Dickenson left the UK to lead the Degas Quartet in the US. With this quartet, Dickenson gave concerts all over the US, in Carnegie Hall and at the Aspen Music Festival. Between 2010 and 2019 James played with the Villiers Quartet, Resident Quartet at Oxford University. In 2019 James joined the China Conservatoire as faculty. James has many recordings with both NAXOS and SOMM, the last of which was the second CD of Spohr duos.
Piano
Antonina Lax
Antonina is an established pianist, educator, and chamber music performer with over 30 years of experience in musical education. Originally from Bulgaria, she earned her Bachelor’s degree from Tyumen Music and Art College and a Master’s degree from Tyumen State University in Russia. She also holds a PhD in the History of Russian Language, Culture, and Music. Throughout her extensive career, Antonina has performed in numerous solo and chamber music concerts, and has accompanied singers and instrumentalists. As a dedicated piano teacher, she follows the philosophy of her mentors, focusing on understanding and valuing each student’s unique needs. Many of her students have received musical scholarships and are attending specialist music schools and prestigious universities.
Julia Kennard
After graduating from the Royal College of Music, I began teaching at Charterhouse School and local Preparatory Schools in Surrey. Relocating to Newcastle in 2014, I joined Make Music Young People at The Glasshouse and began teaching at Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation in 2017. I enjoy accompanying local choirs and students, partaking in chamber music, and teach a number of private pupils at home.
Lada Khazanovych
Lada is an accomplished concert pianist from Ukraine, and a postgraduate from the Tchaikovsky National Academy of Music. With over 35 years of international performance experience, she has played as a soloist, accompanist, and chamber musician across Europe, China, and the UK. She has taught at music schools in Ukraine, at university in China, and at a number of schools in the UK – including 11 years at the Royal Grammar School in Newcastle. Before she began teaching at The Glasshouse, she also taught at Yorkshire Young Musicians in Leeds. Known for her expressive playing and research into piano technique, Lada has developed a unique approach that helps students unlock their full potential.
Nick Nowicki
Nicholas enjoys a successful career as a pianist, conductor and teacher. He received the Charles Haywood Scholarship to study at the RNCM, where he obtained a Masters with distinction and was awarded the Clifton Helliwell Memorial Prize. He has performed and conducted in many prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall and Royal Albert Hall, and has performed live on BBC Radio 3, as well as recording on the Chandos label. Teaching is central to his career. Recent students have gone to conservatoire, Cambridge University and have received music scholarships and exhibitions at Eton College. He accompanies for both Newcastle and Durham universities.
Oona Prendiville
Oona began her music formation at the Purcell School of Music. She studied piano at the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music. Her early career revolved around teaching at Junior Guildhall. She spent many years living in France and the Netherlands. During this time she studied with Francoise Parrot-Hanlet at École normale, taught piano from beginner through to diploma level and accompanied local church and school choirs, and produced educational music projects. She has recently moved back to the UK and is enjoying participating in the vibrant music world of the North East of England.
Venera Bojkova-Brown
Venera graduated with Diplomas in Piano performance and choral conducting from the Bulgarian National Musical Academy. Venera`s second study is the Pedal Harp. As a pianist she has performed and recorded internationally, and has also performed with UK orchestras as a harpist. Venera has adjudicated competitions for pianists in HK, and BBC young musician of the year. Presently, Venera Conducts Bishop Auckland choral society, and for the past 20 years has worked as a piano and harp tutor in Newcastle and Durham Universities. She also leads a popular Piano Workshop at the Caedmon Hall, Gateshead.
Yoshie Kawamura
Yoshie studied music at Guildhall School of Music and Drama and is a postgraduate of Musikhochschule Freiburg in Germany. Yoshie has performed internationally as a soloist and chamber musician across Europe and Japan, with highlights including concerts with the Berlin Philharmonic Quartet, Poznan Philharmonia, and a BBC Radio 3 In Tune appearance. Since moving to Newcastle she became a co-founder of Brundibar Arts Festival, where she is both performer and administrator. Yoshie currently teaches at The Glasshouse, as well as at Durham and Newcastle Universities.
Sam Rapley
Sam Rapley is a composer, orchestrator, and music editor working across film, TV, and games. A graduate of the National Film & Television School and Royal Academy of Music, he has worked across a broad range of prolific studio series and films. He also performs internationally as a saxophonist and clarinetist. Sam’s recent credits include composing additional music for Sony Pictures feature Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire alongside composer Dario Marianelli, music programming on Warner Bros. Wonka and music editing on the hit Netflix series Bodies. He has also orchestrated on several films and TV shows, most notably on HBO / BBC’s His Dark Materials Season 3.
Duncan Brown
Duncan Brown teaches piano, double bass and composition. He studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and has worked as an orchestral double bass player in the UK, South Africa and Germany, pianist and accompanist, including accompanying for silent films for Tyne Valley Film Festival, and composer. Currently he works as a choir conductor and composer whose works, mostly for choir, are performed widely in the United States.
Wind & Brass
Marion Craig
Marion is Principal Trumpet in Royal Northern Sinfonia and with the orchestra has performed locally, nationally and internationally. Her experience as a professional musician and successful brass teacher supports her role as Study Leader for Wind and Brass on the Make Music programme. ‘It is a privilege to teach young people and to guide and support them on their musical journey’ says Marion ‘we are very lucky at The Glasshouse to have such amazing opportunities for young people’.
Brian Stewart
Brian Stewart studied flute and piano at the Royal College of Music. As a performer he has played as soloist with The Chamber Ensemble of London, as orchestral player with British Philharmonic Orchestra, The London Gala Orchestra and many others. He also performs as a chamber musician with various ensembles. As a flute teacher he has taught all standards and age ranges for over 30 years and is on the list of tutors for Newcastle and Durham Universities. He has students who have gone on to conservatoires and university to study music.
Dov Goldberg
Dov received his musical education at the Purcell School, Royal Academy of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music. More recently he acquired an MA with distinction in History from the Open University. His career has included playing all clarinets and saxophones with most of the countries leading orchestras and was a member of the Northern Sinfonia. As a chamber musician he was for many years clarinettist with several new music ensembles, notably Psappha and Jane’s Minstrels, more recently a guest player with Riot Ensemble. He has taught at Cheethams School of Music, Sedbergh, Newcastle RGS, Durham, Newcastle, Leeds and Huddersfield Universities, and has given masterclasses worldwide. He works at introducing modern Balkan and early English folk styles to his teaching to widen musical knowledge and playing styles.
Laura Davison
Graduating from Newcastle University with a master’s degree majoring in trombone performance on period and modern instruments, Laura has built a career as a performer and music educator. She plays regularly in pit bands, orchestras, jazz bands and early music ensembles with highlights including The Addams’ Family, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, and performances at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Laura’s recorded work includes The Hovis advert and The Doctor Puppet YouTube Series. She teaches privately and in schools across the North-Eastan has worked at The Glasshouse for almost ten years. She currently teaches on Musical Foundations, Step Up, The Centre of Advanced Training and the In Harmony Programme.
Singing
Victoria Barbé
Penelope Randall-Davis
During her performing career, Penny appeared as a soloist in the UK with E.N.O, W.N.O ,Scottish Opera, Opera North , Opera Holland Park and Longborough Festival Opera. Internationally she had engagements at La Monnaie, La Fenice, Opera di Roma, West Norwegian Opera, Opera Atelier and Tafelmusik in Toronto and with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Vocal tutor with Barefoot Opera, she has teaching practices in London -where she works with professional singers- and in Co. Durham. As an experienced Reiki master she also holds holistic health-based workshops using body, breath , meditation and voice.
Lily Brooke
Lily Brooke is a passionate musician and educator with over a decade of experience in vocal performance, songwriting, and music creation. Based in the North East, she delivers tailored 1:1 and group sessions focused on vocal technique, lyricism, and creative expression. Trained across a broad range of genres and methods, Lily blends her skills as a pianist, producer, music director, co-writer, and composer for film into a holistic teaching approach. A seasoned performer with a Master’s degree in Music, she supports artists in discovering their unique voice—both literally and lyrically—while fostering confidence, individuality, and artistic growth.
Guitar
James Birkett
James has worked as a professional musician since the 1970s, undertaking the full range of freelance work, including TV/Radio, backing artists, concerts, theatre orchestras and musicals, etc. As a jazz guitarist he continues to direct a variety of jazz ensembles for concerts, recordings, broadcasts and festivals. As an educator James developed and led one of the UK’s first B.Mus. (Hons) degree programmes in Jazz, Popular and Commercial music. Now retired from full time Higher Education, he continues to teach part time at Northumbria University and at the Centre for Advanced Training based in The Glass House in his role as Study Leader for Popular and Contemporary Music.
Bradley Johnston
Bradley began his musical journey at the age of 14 on our CAT programme. In addition, to his teaching at The Glasshouse, he also teaches at The Royal Irish Academy of Music. He specialises in jazz guitar (both plectrum and finger-style techniques) and improvisation, as well as working across different genres such as folk, popular and rock. Bradley has performed at many prestigious venues and festivals throughout the UK with a range of ensembles (including solo appearances), and alongside both national and international artists. Bradley currently holds a MMus degree from Newcastle University, BMus (Hons) from University of Sunderland, and PGCE degree from Teesside University.
Percussion
Roger Hempsall
Roger Hempsall has been the percussion study leader at CAT since 2009. He has taught some of the country’s brightest percussion stars including Cheryl Alleyne and Seb Rochford. As a professional drummer Roger has toured and worked on television and radio with famous names such as Shirley Bassey, Eartha Kitt, Jeff beck, Kiki Dee and many more. For over a decade Roger has been a member of the jazz trio The Bicycle Thieves and has also authored the books Jazz Drums 1 and 2.
Rob Walker
Rob has been involved with the Centre for Advanced Training for many years: teaching Drum Set Studies, Jazz Theory and running the Percussion Ensemble. He also teaches Music Language and Percussion as part of The Glasshouse Step Up Program on Saturdays. Robs professional playing career has encompassed a vast array of musical settings. He has toured and recorded with Rock bands, worked with both Broadway and West End Theatre companies, performed at International Jazz Festivals, and much more.
Music Language, Composition and Songwriting
Alix Shepherd
Alix is a performer, educator, touring musician, composer and arranger, specialising in popular and contemporary styles. Recent highlights have included touring with a folk-meets-hip hop theatre company, arranging for and launching his own salsa band orchestra, and participating in a European Jazz Network seminar in Lisbon on social inclusion through creative strategies. Alix is passionate about the link between a prosperous live music scene and accessible opportunities for young people to develop their participation in music. Alix is Study Leader for music language on the CAT programme. As well as supporting young people to develop core skills, he is committed to providing variety and choice within activity in this area.
Chris Randall
Christopher Randall received BMus from the University of Southern California, an MMus from the University of Oregon and a PhD in music composition from the University of Newcastle. He has worked as a performer in a wide range of genres, including speed metal, Latin-jazz, North Indian classical voice, and Western European orchestral and choral traditions. As a composer he has had the privilege to collaborate with a number of internationally renowned performers and ensembles, including the California E.A.R. Unit, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Hindustani vocalist Vijay Rajput, the Talujon percussion quartet, and the Pacific Rim Gamelan.
Jamie Mackay
James is a guitarist, educator, and researcher specialising in jazz and contemporary performance, music philosophy, and artistic research. At CAT he teaches music production, theory, philosophy composition and guitar. Holding a PhD in Music from LCM and a PCET(PGCE), his research explores the phenomenology of meaning in the musical experience. As a performer, he has played at renowned venues, including Pizza Express Jazz Club and across genres such as folk, soul, blues and Americana. With his background in community music, James integrates and develops innovative teaching approaches which encourage creativity in students. His work bridges performance and scholarship, enhancing contemporary music education through practice-based research and pedagogy.
Rob Walker
Rob has been involved with the Centre for Advanced Training for many years: teaching Drum Set Studies, Jazz Theory and running the Percussion Ensemble. He also teaches Music Language and Percussion as part of The Glasshouse Step Up Program on Saturdays. Robs professional playing career has encompassed a vast array of musical settings. He has toured and recorded with Rock bands, worked with both Broadway and West End Theatre companies, performed at International Jazz Festivals, and much more.
Sam Rapley
Sam Rapley is a composer, orchestrator, and music editor working across film, TV, and games. A graduate of the National Film & Television School and Royal Academy of Music, he has worked across a broad range of prolific studio series and films. He also performs internationally as a saxophonist and clarinetist. Sam’s recent credits include composing additional music for Sony Pictures feature Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire alongside composer Dario Marianelli, music programming on Warner Bros. Wonka and music editing on the hit Netflix series Bodies. He has also orchestrated on several films and TV shows, most notably on HBO / BBC’s His Dark Materials Season 3.
Duncan Brown
Duncan Brown teaches piano, double bass and composition. He studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and has worked as an orchestral double bass player in the UK, South Africa and Germany, pianist and accompanist, including accompanying for silent films for Tyne Valley Film Festival, and composer. Currently he works as a choir conductor and composer whose works, mostly for choir, are performed widely in the United States.