top of page
Core Team
Meet the Team
Dr Jo Yee Cheung
Chief Executive
I am the Founder and Chief Executive of Olympias Music Foundation. My role is to help all the different parts of the charity (Programmes, Development, Finance) work together in harmony, and to collaborate with our families, partners, and supporters to shape our future. I'm a British pianist and music educator, and the first musician in my family. I studied Music at the University of Cambridge, trained as a pianist at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) and later completed a PhD in Music Education at the RNCM (with a secondment to the University of Canberra as Visiting Research Fellow), specialising in the role of parents in supporting children's musical development. In 2023, I was honoured to be named an Associate Member of the RNCM (ARNCM) and one of the ‘RNCM50 Faces’. I also serve as an External Examiner for the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and a Trustee at The Bridgewater Hall. When I'm not writing funding bids or reviewing strategy documents, I enjoy travelling to unusual places and hanging out with my cat, Atticus. My favourite piece of music is the first movement of Britten’s String Quartet No. 1 in D Major (it sounds like winter sun shining through a frosty window, interrupted by a herd of wild horses!). For dancing? Nothing beats Africa by Toto.
I am the Founder and Chief Executive of Olympias Music Foundation. My role is to help all the different parts of the charity (Programmes, Development, Finance) work together in harmony, and to collaborate with our families, partners, and supporters to shape our future. I'm a British pianist and music educator, and the first musician in my family. I studied Music at the University of Cambridge, trained as a pianist at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) and later completed a PhD in Music Education at the RNCM (with a secondment to the University of Canberra as Visiting Research Fellow), specialising in the role of parents in supporting children's musical development. In 2023, I was honoured to be named an Associate Member of the RNCM (ARNCM) and one of the ‘RNCM50 Faces’. I also serve as an External Examiner for the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and a Trustee at The Bridgewater Hall. When I'm not writing funding bids or reviewing strategy documents, I enjoy travelling to unusual places and hanging out with my cat, Atticus. My favourite piece of music is the first movement of Britten’s String Quartet No. 1 in D Major (it sounds like winter sun shining through a frosty window, interrupted by a herd of wild horses!). For dancing? Nothing beats Africa by Toto.
Sam Parry
Programmes Manager
I am Sam, the Programmes Manager. I look after the people we interact with on a day to day basis - freelancers, families, and most importantly, the young people we teach, writing timetables and organising events, both internal and with external partners. My favourite piece of music is Rage Against the Machine's self titled album - perfection.
I am Sam, the Programmes Manager. I look after the people we interact with on a day to day basis - freelancers, families, and most importantly, the young people we teach, writing timetables and organising events, both internal and with external partners. My favourite piece of music is Rage Against the Machine's self titled album - perfection.
Rosie Sutton
Programmes Administrator
After graduating in Manchester, Rosie went on to work with the Hallé Orchestra as their Assistant Orchestra Manager and, more recently, as Youth Ensembles Administrator. Throughout her career, she has worked alongside many prominent musicians and artists (including Sir Mark Elder, Nicola Benedetti, Sir James MacMillan and Jeff Mills), managing a range of performances and high-profile events across the UK such as the BBC Proms, BBC Children in Need, Blue Peter, and Manchester Classical Festival. Her experience also includes managing national and international tours throughout the UK, Germany, Italy, and Belgium with the Hallé Youth Ensembles.
After graduating in Manchester, Rosie went on to work with the Hallé Orchestra as their Assistant Orchestra Manager and, more recently, as Youth Ensembles Administrator. Throughout her career, she has worked alongside many prominent musicians and artists (including Sir Mark Elder, Nicola Benedetti, Sir James MacMillan and Jeff Mills), managing a range of performances and high-profile events across the UK such as the BBC Proms, BBC Children in Need, Blue Peter, and Manchester Classical Festival. Her experience also includes managing national and international tours throughout the UK, Germany, Italy, and Belgium with the Hallé Youth Ensembles.
Hema Karecha
Head of Development
Hema joins the team with a wealth of experience and passion for music education. She will be overseeing fundraising and marketing to ensure a sustainable future for Olympias.
Hema joins the team with a wealth of experience and passion for music education. She will be overseeing fundraising and marketing to ensure a sustainable future for Olympias.
Sarah Ampil
Development and Finance Manager
Hello, Sarah here - I’m the Development and Finance Manager for Olympias. Between monitoring and reporting on our income and spending, and supporting with community fundraising, donor stewardship and bid writing, my week can be quite varied but I love seeing it come together every time our young musicians pick up their instruments or find their voice.
Out of the office, you can find me donning the viking horns as an operatic soprano, devising and producing for Lights On Theatre or belting out Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” while doing the dishes.
Hello, Sarah here - I’m the Development and Finance Manager for Olympias. Between monitoring and reporting on our income and spending, and supporting with community fundraising, donor stewardship and bid writing, my week can be quite varied but I love seeing it come together every time our young musicians pick up their instruments or find their voice.
Out of the office, you can find me donning the viking horns as an operatic soprano, devising and producing for Lights On Theatre or belting out Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” while doing the dishes.
Ella Ponsonby
Development Assistant
I’m Ella, and I’m excited to be joining Olympias Music Foundation as a Development Assistant. I’m looking forward to developing my skills in fundraising and supporting the Foundation’s work to make music more accessible to young people. Outside of work I enjoy travelling, music, fashion and spending time with friends and family.
I’m Ella, and I’m excited to be joining Olympias Music Foundation as a Development Assistant. I’m looking forward to developing my skills in fundraising and supporting the Foundation’s work to make music more accessible to young people. Outside of work I enjoy travelling, music, fashion and spending time with friends and family.
Facilitators
Ali Mac
SEND Facilitator
Ali Mac is a percussionist, SEND music practitioner, contemporary dance accompanist and workshop leader.
Since graduating with a Jazz Studies degree from Leeds College of Music in 2009, Ali’s career highlights include signing to Virgin/EMI Records in 2014 as a co-writer and percussionist for Zimbabwean soul artist ‘Thabo’, as well as performing with numerous other bands, artists and theatre show productions, including the UK tour of Disney’s The Lion King. He is a Ludwig drums & Istanbul cymbals official ambassador.
As a music practitioner, Ali enjoys creating musical activities to help encourage the self-expression and communication of young people with learning difficulties and special educational needs. Over the past 16 years, Ali has visited dozens of SEND schools, as well as young offenders’ prisons, medium secure units, adult day centres and nursing homes, delivering interactive performances, one-to-one sessions, staff training events and workshops.
Ali brings his knowledge and experience as a performing musician into the classroom to encourage creativity and self expression in a way that is engaging, inclusive and educational.
Ali Mac is a percussionist, SEND music practitioner, contemporary dance accompanist and workshop leader.
Since graduating with a Jazz Studies degree from Leeds College of Music in 2009, Ali’s career highlights include signing to Virgin/EMI Records in 2014 as a co-writer and percussionist for Zimbabwean soul artist ‘Thabo’, as well as performing with numerous other bands, artists and theatre show productions, including the UK tour of Disney’s The Lion King. He is a Ludwig drums & Istanbul cymbals official ambassador.
As a music practitioner, Ali enjoys creating musical activities to help encourage the self-expression and communication of young people with learning difficulties and special educational needs. Over the past 16 years, Ali has visited dozens of SEND schools, as well as young offenders’ prisons, medium secure units, adult day centres and nursing homes, delivering interactive performances, one-to-one sessions, staff training events and workshops.
Ali brings his knowledge and experience as a performing musician into the classroom to encourage creativity and self expression in a way that is engaging, inclusive and educational.
Richard Kankondo
Conductor, Parents' Orchestra
Richard is a Manchester-based musician and storyteller. Under the name Marco Woolf, he creates ethereal folk influenced jazz that has been described as “light, complex, rich and immediate, swarming with micro-details that multiply with each new listen.” He has released two EPs, ‘self’ and ’Francine, i’, which have earned support on platforms such as BBC 6 Music, Jazz FM, Worldwide FM and other international stations. As a performer he has become recognised for the way he weaves improvised stories and poetry into his sets to deepen a sense of narrative.
Richard is a Manchester-based musician and storyteller. Under the name Marco Woolf, he creates ethereal folk influenced jazz that has been described as “light, complex, rich and immediate, swarming with micro-details that multiply with each new listen.” He has released two EPs, ‘self’ and ’Francine, i’, which have earned support on platforms such as BBC 6 Music, Jazz FM, Worldwide FM and other international stations. As a performer he has become recognised for the way he weaves improvised stories and poetry into his sets to deepen a sense of narrative.
Aliah Brewster
Assistant Conductor, Children's Orchestra
Aliah is a musician whose work brings together the traditional and contemporary.
Her understanding of music is rooted in classical training on both the viola and violin. Growing up in an Afro-Carribean household to music loving parents, Aliah was introduced to
a carousel of sounds and genres from a young age. In recent years she has been exploring
improvisation, live looping and electro-acoustic sounds with strings and percussion.
Aliah first began teaching the violin during her time in South London where she was an
instrumental teaching assistant for Croydon Music and Arts. She now teaches the violin and
leads music workshops across Greater Manchester. Aliah also facilitates group drumming
sessions where she teaches her students both Arabic Iqa’at theory and Western Classical
theory on the daff and djembe drums. Making the arts more diverse and accessible for the
young people she works with has always been important to her.
Aliah is a musician whose work brings together the traditional and contemporary.
Her understanding of music is rooted in classical training on both the viola and violin. Growing up in an Afro-Carribean household to music loving parents, Aliah was introduced to
a carousel of sounds and genres from a young age. In recent years she has been exploring
improvisation, live looping and electro-acoustic sounds with strings and percussion.
Aliah first began teaching the violin during her time in South London where she was an
instrumental teaching assistant for Croydon Music and Arts. She now teaches the violin and
leads music workshops across Greater Manchester. Aliah also facilitates group drumming
sessions where she teaches her students both Arabic Iqa’at theory and Western Classical
theory on the daff and djembe drums. Making the arts more diverse and accessible for the
young people she works with has always been important to her.
Eleanor Mills
SEND Facilitator
Eleanor is a Manchester-based SEND music facilitator, professional bassoonist and multiinstrumental specialist, also playing saxophone, clarinet, and flute.
After graduating from the Royal Northern College of Music with a Masters and AdvPGDip in Bassoon Performance in 2019, Eleanor’s performance career highlights include being a part of the Thursford Christmas Spectacular’s 2023 season on clarinet and saxophone, and being a part of Hope Mill’s productions of Gypsy The Musical and Nine In Concert at the Manchester Opera House and The Lowry theatres. Another highlight of her career is being the bassoonist for
Kaleidoscope Orchestra, which has involved performing around the country with them at events such as Cream Classical, and on BBC’s Winterwatch.
Eleanor is also a founding member of Chameleon, a multi-instrumental woodwind quartet which plays around the country, delivering recitals, interactive concerts, and workshops. The group are passionate about creating programmes that connect audiences with classical music in unusual and accessible ways; for example, family concerts focused on storytelling and
interaction.
As a facilitator, Eleanor is passionate about making music accessible to everyone, encouraging exploration and self-expression, and using music as a method of universal communication. Over the last six years, Eleanor has visited and been a resident musician in many SEND schools around the North West, delivering interactive concerts and whole-class workshops, as well as weekly
class and one-to-one music sessions. Eleanor is also a Live Music Now musician and one of the Musicians In Residence at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where she has been working with shortand long-term inpatients for the last five years.
Eleanor loves using her knowledge and passion as a performer to inspire her sessions in the classroom, and to help empower young people to explore their own creativity, communicate, and build their confidence through music.
Eleanor is a Manchester-based SEND music facilitator, professional bassoonist and multiinstrumental specialist, also playing saxophone, clarinet, and flute.
After graduating from the Royal Northern College of Music with a Masters and AdvPGDip in Bassoon Performance in 2019, Eleanor’s performance career highlights include being a part of the Thursford Christmas Spectacular’s 2023 season on clarinet and saxophone, and being a part of Hope Mill’s productions of Gypsy The Musical and Nine In Concert at the Manchester Opera House and The Lowry theatres. Another highlight of her career is being the bassoonist for
Kaleidoscope Orchestra, which has involved performing around the country with them at events such as Cream Classical, and on BBC’s Winterwatch.
Eleanor is also a founding member of Chameleon, a multi-instrumental woodwind quartet which plays around the country, delivering recitals, interactive concerts, and workshops. The group are passionate about creating programmes that connect audiences with classical music in unusual and accessible ways; for example, family concerts focused on storytelling and
interaction.
As a facilitator, Eleanor is passionate about making music accessible to everyone, encouraging exploration and self-expression, and using music as a method of universal communication. Over the last six years, Eleanor has visited and been a resident musician in many SEND schools around the North West, delivering interactive concerts and whole-class workshops, as well as weekly
class and one-to-one music sessions. Eleanor is also a Live Music Now musician and one of the Musicians In Residence at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where she has been working with shortand long-term inpatients for the last five years.
Eleanor loves using her knowledge and passion as a performer to inspire her sessions in the classroom, and to help empower young people to explore their own creativity, communicate, and build their confidence through music.
Instrumental Specialists
Nadia Eskandari
Violin Teacher
Nadia is a Manchester-based violist, currently working as an instrumental tutor, project manager and freelancer. Having graduated from the University of Manchester with a first class degree in Music, Nadia joined the RNCM with a scholarship in September for further postgraduate study, to learn with Vicci Wardman. She has recently started working as an Ambassador for the Benedetti Foundation.
In her performing life, Nadia has played at festivals such as Manchester Jazz Festival and Manchester International Festival. Recent performances include collaborations with prestigious artists such as Brit Award and Mercury Prize winner, Arlo Parks, Snarky Puppy’s Bill Laurance and Sam Fender. A keen chamber musician, Nadia is a founding member of the Eskandari Quartet, who regularly perform new, contemporary repertoire by upcoming composers, alongside classical canonic works.
In her spare time, Nadia loves cooking, gaming and long walks!
Nadia is a Manchester-based violist, currently working as an instrumental tutor, project manager and freelancer. Having graduated from the University of Manchester with a first class degree in Music, Nadia joined the RNCM with a scholarship in September for further postgraduate study, to learn with Vicci Wardman. She has recently started working as an Ambassador for the Benedetti Foundation.
In her performing life, Nadia has played at festivals such as Manchester Jazz Festival and Manchester International Festival. Recent performances include collaborations with prestigious artists such as Brit Award and Mercury Prize winner, Arlo Parks, Snarky Puppy’s Bill Laurance and Sam Fender. A keen chamber musician, Nadia is a founding member of the Eskandari Quartet, who regularly perform new, contemporary repertoire by upcoming composers, alongside classical canonic works.
In her spare time, Nadia loves cooking, gaming and long walks!
Yulia Shah
Violin Teacher
Yulia started her violin studies aged 5 in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine and began piano lessons aged 7 at Zaporizhzhia music school. She went on to win many national and international junior violin competitions in Ukraine and developed her skills by leading string ensembles, joining choirs and studying music theory. She continued the violin and piano at Zaporizhzhia Music College and expanded her studies to psychology, teaching pedagogies and conducting. She accepted a scholarship to further her violin studies at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester in 2014.
Yulia has since performed internationally both as a soloist and with ensembles at prestigious venues across the Indian subcontinent for various clients and organisations. She returned to the UK in 2020 performing at mid to high end events nationwide and teaching privately. She currently teaches violin at the Olympias Music Foundation in Manchester.
Yulia started her violin studies aged 5 in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine and began piano lessons aged 7 at Zaporizhzhia music school. She went on to win many national and international junior violin competitions in Ukraine and developed her skills by leading string ensembles, joining choirs and studying music theory. She continued the violin and piano at Zaporizhzhia Music College and expanded her studies to psychology, teaching pedagogies and conducting. She accepted a scholarship to further her violin studies at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester in 2014.
Yulia has since performed internationally both as a soloist and with ensembles at prestigious venues across the Indian subcontinent for various clients and organisations. She returned to the UK in 2020 performing at mid to high end events nationwide and teaching privately. She currently teaches violin at the Olympias Music Foundation in Manchester.
Georgina MacDonell Finlayson
Violin Teacher
Georgina MacDonell Finlayson is a versatile Scottish violinist, fiddle player, composer and community arts practitioner, with a particular interest in collaborative and cross-genre performance.
Her experiences as classical musician, folk musician, composer and educator blend themselves throughout her work. She has performed with ensembles across the UK including Sinfonia Cymru and Manchester Camerata, as well as performed at Glastonbury, BBC Proms, SXSW Texas and Celtic Connections. When not playing, she is often creating new music with her band, and has previously written music for film and theatre, original folk composition and arrangement, and chamber and orchestral works.
Alongside performing and composing, Georgina loves to teach and facilitate music learning and music experiences for people of all ages. She has many years of instrumental teaching and coaching experience, in both group and individual settings, and currently works with Manchester Camerata on their Music in Mind programme, facilitating music improvisation sessions in dementia settings. Coming from the background of both classical and folk, as well as being both composer and performer, Georgina believes that learning an instrument should be a creative, fun and exploratory experience for students and often incorporates improvisation and composition into her teaching.
Georgina holds a Bachelor of Music from The University of Edinburgh and a Master of Music in violin performance from the Royal Northern College of Music.
Georgina MacDonell Finlayson is a versatile Scottish violinist, fiddle player, composer and community arts practitioner, with a particular interest in collaborative and cross-genre performance.
Her experiences as classical musician, folk musician, composer and educator blend themselves throughout her work. She has performed with ensembles across the UK including Sinfonia Cymru and Manchester Camerata, as well as performed at Glastonbury, BBC Proms, SXSW Texas and Celtic Connections. When not playing, she is often creating new music with her band, and has previously written music for film and theatre, original folk composition and arrangement, and chamber and orchestral works.
Alongside performing and composing, Georgina loves to teach and facilitate music learning and music experiences for people of all ages. She has many years of instrumental teaching and coaching experience, in both group and individual settings, and currently works with Manchester Camerata on their Music in Mind programme, facilitating music improvisation sessions in dementia settings. Coming from the background of both classical and folk, as well as being both composer and performer, Georgina believes that learning an instrument should be a creative, fun and exploratory experience for students and often incorporates improvisation and composition into her teaching.
Georgina holds a Bachelor of Music from The University of Edinburgh and a Master of Music in violin performance from the Royal Northern College of Music.
Polly Virr
Cello Teacher
Polly is a professional freelance cellist based in the UK, where she performs as an improviser, chamber musician, soloist and session musician, alongside working as an educator, mentor and composer. She is a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where she studied cello with Emma Ferrand.
In 2016, Polly travelled to The Banff Centre, Canada, where she worked as a musician in residence, collaborating with other musicians from around the world and writing her own music for multitrack cello. She now writes and performs her own compositions using a loop pedal and other effects pedals. Performances include Lancaster Jazz Festival, Manchester International Festival, Aldeburgh Festival, Matt & Phreds and Band on the Wall. Polly also writes and records music for film/TV, working as a composer for Exodus Music.
Polly's passion lies in improvising and experimenting with music in an abundance of different styles and genres. She plays the role of “lead cello” in an indie/rock band called Ideal Forgery; in a folk cello trio called Rowan; and in a classical guitar/cello duo called Ithoni Duo. Polly is an active session musician, recording as a soloist and as part of different ensembles. She plays with orchestras including the Kaleidoscope Orchestra, Street Orchestra Live, the Untold Orchestra, Gatecrasher Orchestra and Joe Duddell’s No.6 Ensemble.
Polly also works as a Music for Health Practitioner, taking live music onto the wards of Manchester Children’s hospital, making music with patients, staff and families. As an educator, Polly has worked as a music tutor on both Opera North and Liverpool Philharmonic’s In Harmony programmes. She frequently delivers educational workshops exploring creative composition and ensemble playing with organisations including Opera North, Music in Secondary Schools Trust, Amasing Arts and various music services in the North West. This year, Polly is proud to be a mentor for Sheffield’s Hubfest Momentum.
Find out more about Polly here:
Website: www.pollyvirrcello.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cellovirr/
Polly is a professional freelance cellist based in the UK, where she performs as an improviser, chamber musician, soloist and session musician, alongside working as an educator, mentor and composer. She is a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where she studied cello with Emma Ferrand.
In 2016, Polly travelled to The Banff Centre, Canada, where she worked as a musician in residence, collaborating with other musicians from around the world and writing her own music for multitrack cello. She now writes and performs her own compositions using a loop pedal and other effects pedals. Performances include Lancaster Jazz Festival, Manchester International Festival, Aldeburgh Festival, Matt & Phreds and Band on the Wall. Polly also writes and records music for film/TV, working as a composer for Exodus Music.
Polly's passion lies in improvising and experimenting with music in an abundance of different styles and genres. She plays the role of “lead cello” in an indie/rock band called Ideal Forgery; in a folk cello trio called Rowan; and in a classical guitar/cello duo called Ithoni Duo. Polly is an active session musician, recording as a soloist and as part of different ensembles. She plays with orchestras including the Kaleidoscope Orchestra, Street Orchestra Live, the Untold Orchestra, Gatecrasher Orchestra and Joe Duddell’s No.6 Ensemble.
Polly also works as a Music for Health Practitioner, taking live music onto the wards of Manchester Children’s hospital, making music with patients, staff and families. As an educator, Polly has worked as a music tutor on both Opera North and Liverpool Philharmonic’s In Harmony programmes. She frequently delivers educational workshops exploring creative composition and ensemble playing with organisations including Opera North, Music in Secondary Schools Trust, Amasing Arts and various music services in the North West. This year, Polly is proud to be a mentor for Sheffield’s Hubfest Momentum.
Find out more about Polly here:
Website: www.pollyvirrcello.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cellovirr/
Dan Springate
Cello Teacher
Dan is a professional musician based in Manchester. He plays the cello and bass guitar, arranges/composes string parts for an array of different music and works in a variety of educational settings. Originally from Wiltshire, he studied Music at Manchester University before embarking on a post-graduate performance degree at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London, where he learnt with Joely Koos.
He loves to play lots of different types of music and regardless of the genre, particularly enjoys the collaborative experiences that making music so often brings. He has particularly enjoyed performing in West End shows (Disney's Beauty and the Beast), recording in world renowned studios (Abbey Road, Real World) and performing at festivals such as WOMAD, Cheltenham Jazz, Edinburgh Fringe and Manchester International Festival.
As well as playing, Dan loves teaching the cello and helping others to experience the joy of this wonderful instrument. He started at Olympias in September 23 and is very excited to be part of the community.
Beyond music, Dan likes running, being in nature, drinking coffee and watching the cricket!
Dan is a professional musician based in Manchester. He plays the cello and bass guitar, arranges/composes string parts for an array of different music and works in a variety of educational settings. Originally from Wiltshire, he studied Music at Manchester University before embarking on a post-graduate performance degree at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London, where he learnt with Joely Koos.
He loves to play lots of different types of music and regardless of the genre, particularly enjoys the collaborative experiences that making music so often brings. He has particularly enjoyed performing in West End shows (Disney's Beauty and the Beast), recording in world renowned studios (Abbey Road, Real World) and performing at festivals such as WOMAD, Cheltenham Jazz, Edinburgh Fringe and Manchester International Festival.
As well as playing, Dan loves teaching the cello and helping others to experience the joy of this wonderful instrument. He started at Olympias in September 23 and is very excited to be part of the community.
Beyond music, Dan likes running, being in nature, drinking coffee and watching the cricket!
Poppy Philligreen
Woodwind Teacher
Poppy Philligreen is a saxophonist based in Manchester. Originally from Derbyshire she acquired her BMus (Hons) from the Royal Northern College of Music in 2018. She teaches woodwind both privately and in schools across Manchester. As a performer Poppy specialises in the realising of new music, being particularly interested in the use of extended techniques and the breadth of texture and timbre they enable. Alongside her performance practice Poppy is involved in the running of Special Virtuosi, a weekly music group for children and adults with additional needs. She has also worked in a production capacity for opera companies such as The Opera Shack and Manchester Contemporary Youth Opera.
Poppy is very excited to start working with OMF as their woodwind teacher. Growing up her music lessons and ensembles were always filled with excitement and discovery, and she is thrilled to be working with a charity that seeks to provide those same opportunities to children across Manchester. When not making strange noises on her saxophone, Poppy can be found knitting socks and pottering round her garden.
Poppy Philligreen is a saxophonist based in Manchester. Originally from Derbyshire she acquired her BMus (Hons) from the Royal Northern College of Music in 2018. She teaches woodwind both privately and in schools across Manchester. As a performer Poppy specialises in the realising of new music, being particularly interested in the use of extended techniques and the breadth of texture and timbre they enable. Alongside her performance practice Poppy is involved in the running of Special Virtuosi, a weekly music group for children and adults with additional needs. She has also worked in a production capacity for opera companies such as The Opera Shack and Manchester Contemporary Youth Opera.
Poppy is very excited to start working with OMF as their woodwind teacher. Growing up her music lessons and ensembles were always filled with excitement and discovery, and she is thrilled to be working with a charity that seeks to provide those same opportunities to children across Manchester. When not making strange noises on her saxophone, Poppy can be found knitting socks and pottering round her garden.
Jamie Stockbridge
Woodwind Teacher
Jamie is a professional Saxophonist, Composer and Band-leader based in Manchester. After a musical upbringing in Hertfordshire he went on to receive a BMus from Newcastle University, having studied in the Netherlands at Utrechts Conservatorium. He then attained an MMus from the Royal Northern College
of Music in Manchester.
Jamie regularly performs with, writes for, and tours with his own groups and first became involved with OMF during the COVID lockdowns, collaborating on the app ‘AgbekoCreate’. He runs 11-piece afrofunk outfit Agbeko, is 33.33% of jazz-chaos trio Taupe, one seventh of 1920’s jazz ensemble The Easy Rollers and various proportions of many other projects. His performing career has taken him from basements in Prague and warehouses in Milan to the Royal Albert Hall and the Southbank Centre in London.
When not blowing down various tubes for a living, Jamie can occasionally be seen in the wild with an electric guitar. His music has been played on BBC Radio 3 (Freeness, Late Junction), BBC Radio 6 (Freak Zone) and Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide FM, amongst others.
Jamie’s spare time is largely dictated to him by the whims of his rescue cat Freyja, although he is also slowly trying to increase the range of his bike rides.
Jamie is a professional Saxophonist, Composer and Band-leader based in Manchester. After a musical upbringing in Hertfordshire he went on to receive a BMus from Newcastle University, having studied in the Netherlands at Utrechts Conservatorium. He then attained an MMus from the Royal Northern College
of Music in Manchester.
Jamie regularly performs with, writes for, and tours with his own groups and first became involved with OMF during the COVID lockdowns, collaborating on the app ‘AgbekoCreate’. He runs 11-piece afrofunk outfit Agbeko, is 33.33% of jazz-chaos trio Taupe, one seventh of 1920’s jazz ensemble The Easy Rollers and various proportions of many other projects. His performing career has taken him from basements in Prague and warehouses in Milan to the Royal Albert Hall and the Southbank Centre in London.
When not blowing down various tubes for a living, Jamie can occasionally be seen in the wild with an electric guitar. His music has been played on BBC Radio 3 (Freeness, Late Junction), BBC Radio 6 (Freak Zone) and Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide FM, amongst others.
Jamie’s spare time is largely dictated to him by the whims of his rescue cat Freyja, although he is also slowly trying to increase the range of his bike rides.
Cameron Chin-See
Brass Teacher
Cameron Chin-See is a trumpet player and teacher from Wolverhampton, currently studying for an MMus at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), in Manchester. After turning down a place at the University of Oxford in 2019, Cameron opted to go to Manchester to take up a place on the highly selective ‘three-year intensive’ Bachelor of Music course at the RNCM, which he completed in July 2022 after studying with Murray Greig and Thomas Osborne. Cameron decided to stay on at the RNCM to undertake postgraduate studies alongside an ever-expanding freelance career - he has been in demand as an orchestral trumpeter, playing with most of the main orchestras in the North West, including regular appearances with the Hallé Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic the Orchestra of Opera North, the BBC Philharmonic. He is also a regular player with Chineke! Orchestra in London, Europe’s first majority-Black and ethnically diverse orchestra. Aside from the orchestra, Cameron is a keen teacher and has been teaching students of all ages and abilities in Manchester for over two years. He also values chamber music and is a member of the celebrated Phoenix Brass Quintet (Semi-finalists at the 2023 Philip Jones International Brass Ensemble Competition), along with fellow students and graduates of the RNCM.
Cameron Chin-See is a trumpet player and teacher from Wolverhampton, currently studying for an MMus at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), in Manchester. After turning down a place at the University of Oxford in 2019, Cameron opted to go to Manchester to take up a place on the highly selective ‘three-year intensive’ Bachelor of Music course at the RNCM, which he completed in July 2022 after studying with Murray Greig and Thomas Osborne. Cameron decided to stay on at the RNCM to undertake postgraduate studies alongside an ever-expanding freelance career - he has been in demand as an orchestral trumpeter, playing with most of the main orchestras in the North West, including regular appearances with the Hallé Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic the Orchestra of Opera North, the BBC Philharmonic. He is also a regular player with Chineke! Orchestra in London, Europe’s first majority-Black and ethnically diverse orchestra. Aside from the orchestra, Cameron is a keen teacher and has been teaching students of all ages and abilities in Manchester for over two years. He also values chamber music and is a member of the celebrated Phoenix Brass Quintet (Semi-finalists at the 2023 Philip Jones International Brass Ensemble Competition), along with fellow students and graduates of the RNCM.
Ryan Buxton
Guitar Teacher
My Dad is a guitarist and when I was a kid I was around guitars quite a lot. I have always been pretty fascinated with how strings work and the way chords and melodies can be made on a guitar. When I was younger I played guitar just for fun really and enjoyed playing songs by my favourite songwriters. Then I got serious about it after leaving school and started really focusing on my ability and my knowledge so I put myself through some grades for music theory and guitar playing. Then when I was about 24 I ran a jam night with some friends and that taught me a huge amount about improvising and playing live. We played a lot of funk and soul and a few jazz songs. While I was doing this I also played in an acoustic duo and we played weddings and corporate events. Together we learnt hundreds of songs and played even more shows. I have also just finished my Masters in composing at Salford University and am really excited to see how that changes my music in the future. I love music, I love guitars and I love sharing that with my students and helping people find the joy of music.
My Dad is a guitarist and when I was a kid I was around guitars quite a lot. I have always been pretty fascinated with how strings work and the way chords and melodies can be made on a guitar. When I was younger I played guitar just for fun really and enjoyed playing songs by my favourite songwriters. Then I got serious about it after leaving school and started really focusing on my ability and my knowledge so I put myself through some grades for music theory and guitar playing. Then when I was about 24 I ran a jam night with some friends and that taught me a huge amount about improvising and playing live. We played a lot of funk and soul and a few jazz songs. While I was doing this I also played in an acoustic duo and we played weddings and corporate events. Together we learnt hundreds of songs and played even more shows. I have also just finished my Masters in composing at Salford University and am really excited to see how that changes my music in the future. I love music, I love guitars and I love sharing that with my students and helping people find the joy of music.
Jim Wilson
Guitar Teacher
Jim has been playing guitar since he was 8 years old, and he’s been teaching in and around Manchester for over 15 years. He believes that above all else, music should be fun, and guitar lessons should be a favourite part of the week.
Jim studied music at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, where Sir Paul McCartney got to meet Jim twice.
Music is the most special thing in Jim’s life (except maybe for his baby boy) and nothing make’s him happier than sharing it with others.
Jim has been playing guitar since he was 8 years old, and he’s been teaching in and around Manchester for over 15 years. He believes that above all else, music should be fun, and guitar lessons should be a favourite part of the week.
Jim studied music at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, where Sir Paul McCartney got to meet Jim twice.
Music is the most special thing in Jim’s life (except maybe for his baby boy) and nothing make’s him happier than sharing it with others.
Gulcin Bulut
Bendir Teacher
Gulcin Bulut teaches bendir and traditional Turkish music as part of our continuing Global Majority teaching initiative.
A singer, bendir and daf player with many years of performing and teaching experience, Gulcin draws on Turkish and Middle Eastern musical traditions to help people connect through rhythm, creativity and culture.
Gulcin Bulut teaches bendir and traditional Turkish music as part of our continuing Global Majority teaching initiative.
A singer, bendir and daf player with many years of performing and teaching experience, Gulcin draws on Turkish and Middle Eastern musical traditions to help people connect through rhythm, creativity and culture.
Juanjo Blázquez
Accompanist
Born in Lorca (Spain) in 1998, he began his piano studies at the “Narciso Yepes” Professional Conservatory of Lorca in 2006. He received his first lessons from professor Estrella Romero Jiménez and later from Antonio Agustín González Hidalgo and Helena Ayala Gea. He has performed concerts in Spain and UK, and the ALTI Hall in Kyoto. Juanjo recently performed as a soloist Tchaikovsky’s 1st Piano Concerto at Madrid’s National Auditorium with the María Rodrigo Symphony Orchestra
He has received masterclasses from teachers such as Lilya Zilberstein, Anna Malikova, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Stephen Hugh, Claudio Martínez-Mehner, Ashley Wass and Nino Kereselidze among others.
Juanjo has won prizes in national and international competitions such as the “Ciudad de Albacete”, the “Entre Cuerdas y Metales”, the “Almudena Cano" and “ClaMo” International competition. He is also recipient of the "FW Wright Piano Scholarship" endowed by the RNCM , and he was chosen to represent Spain in the "Kyoto International music students festival" in 2019, receiving outstanding reviews.
He completed his piano studies at the Real Conservatorio Superior de Música de Madrid in 2020, under the guidance of Ana Guijarro, having previously studied with Pilar Bilbao Iturburu. He continued his Master's studies at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester with Graham Scott and Kathryn Stott.
Born in Lorca (Spain) in 1998, he began his piano studies at the “Narciso Yepes” Professional Conservatory of Lorca in 2006. He received his first lessons from professor Estrella Romero Jiménez and later from Antonio Agustín González Hidalgo and Helena Ayala Gea. He has performed concerts in Spain and UK, and the ALTI Hall in Kyoto. Juanjo recently performed as a soloist Tchaikovsky’s 1st Piano Concerto at Madrid’s National Auditorium with the María Rodrigo Symphony Orchestra
He has received masterclasses from teachers such as Lilya Zilberstein, Anna Malikova, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Stephen Hugh, Claudio Martínez-Mehner, Ashley Wass and Nino Kereselidze among others.
Juanjo has won prizes in national and international competitions such as the “Ciudad de Albacete”, the “Entre Cuerdas y Metales”, the “Almudena Cano" and “ClaMo” International competition. He is also recipient of the "FW Wright Piano Scholarship" endowed by the RNCM , and he was chosen to represent Spain in the "Kyoto International music students festival" in 2019, receiving outstanding reviews.
He completed his piano studies at the Real Conservatorio Superior de Música de Madrid in 2020, under the guidance of Ana Guijarro, having previously studied with Pilar Bilbao Iturburu. He continued his Master's studies at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester with Graham Scott and Kathryn Stott.
bottom of page