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TEAM

Our team of passionate professionals are here to guide you in discovering your musical potential. With personalised instruction tailored to your unique goals and skill level, we'll help you unlock your creativity and foster a lifelong love for music.

We offer tuition in Vocals, Guitar, Banjo, Ukulele, Mandolin, Violin, Viola, Cello, Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Saxophone, Recorder, Trumpet, Trombone, Cornet, Flugel Horn, Baritone, Euphonium, Tenor Horn, Tuba, Drum Kit, Piano, Organ, Keyboard, Songwriting and Music Theory including GCSE, BTEC & A-Level.

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Leigh | Lisa | Sue | Kai | Connor | Paul | Bob | Holly | Aled | Jake

LEIGH MATTHEWS

LEIGH TEACHES: GUITAR, UKULELE, MANDOLIN, BANJO, FLUTE, CLARINET, SAXOPHONE, OBOE, RECORDER, PIANO, VIOLIN, CELLO, MUSIC THEORY, GCSE, A-LEVEL & BTEC MUSIC LEVEL 2 & 3.

  • Leigh is a multi-instrumentalist and music teacher with over 30 years experience in teaching both instrumental and curriculum music. She was born in 1971 in the West Midlands where she participated, during her school and college years, in youth orchestras, chamber concerts and solo performances with considerable success.

    She began her advanced music studies in 1990 at the Birmingham Conservatoire and graduated in 1993 with an A.B.S.M. and G.B.S.M. Music Degree. As a solo guitarist she has performed in music festivals at Cheltenham, Lichfield and Tamworth and her ensemble playing has taken her to the Royal Festival Hall in London.

    Since graduating, Leigh first taught instrumental music at independent schools and for music services in Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Staffordshire. She moved to Tywyn in 2005 and worked as Head of Music at Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn until 2012 when she moved to Wiltshire to take up post as Director of Performing Arts and Cluster Lead over two large academy schools, Swindon Academy & it’s cluster school Nova Hreod facilitating the music, dance and drama curriculum for over 3000 pupils ages 2 to 18 years. In 2021, Leigh returned home to Tywyn in Wales to start her long-time dream of running her own music business, aptly named Totaleigh Music, providing music tuition to all ages and abilities in strings, woodwind, brass & keys, music theory, GCSE, A-Level & BTEC Music. Also providing links for instrument repairs, & live music for weddings & events, lessons are hosted through online tuition & face to face lessons in the highly resourced music studios. More recently Leigh began teaching for Cerdd Gwynedd a Môn at Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn & Ysgol Pen Y Bryn.

    As a performer, Leigh is a founder member of The Molino Duo. In 1998 she joined forces with her friend Sarah Fletcher, with Leigh playing classical guitar and Sarah playing flute. Their aim, to bring the broad repertoire of flute and guitar to a wider audience has proved successful for over 20 years. The instruments are an enchanting combination and have a proud history together giving rise to a wonderful repertoire from Baroque through to Contemporary. The duo are regularly booked for recitals, weddings and formal functions. Engagements have taken them to Shugborough Hall in Staffordshire, Wolverhampton Civic Hall, Trentham Gardens in Stoke and Polesworth Abbey, Warwickshire. The Molino Duo have two CDs in the public domain.

Lisa
Cook

LISA TEACHES:
PIANO, KEYBOARD & ORGAN

  • Lisa is a professional piano & keyboard player working within the music industry, and teaching both instruments along side for a number of years. She has had a successful career within the music industry accompanying a variety of artists such as American 4 Tops, The Drifters, Elvis Tributes, Odyssey and many more across the world.
    She has also toured with theatre shows and worked on cruise ships performing cocktail sessions and as part of the ship’s house band.

    Lisa has experience of a variety of musical genres ranging from light classical through to jazz, funk, soul and Motown. She is an extremely versatile player and has performed at a variety of events including weddings, festivals and concerts to name just a few.

    In addition to this, Lisa has worked for a Sandwell Music Education Hub as a peripatetic piano and keyboard teacher for the last 20 years. Her responsibilities have ranged from 1 to 1 teaching to full class keyboard sessions and GCSE / BTEC support. She has been responsible for the running of various bands with a range of music styles including rock, pop and jazz, lead vocal groups and provided composition workshops and sound scape sessions for bands.

    Lisa is proficient in the use of Logic Pro which is a digital audio application that provides software instruments, audio effects and recording facilities for music. She has used this to support students in developing and improving their musical skills and ability throughout the last few years of teaching,

    Lisa is able to offer piano and keyboard lessons to all ages and abilities with sessions tailored to meet the requirements and requests of the pupil. She can support people in progressing through nationally recognised music qualifications, assist in learning how to accompany oneself whilst singing, help people to learn the instrument for fun or even how to play by ear using social media platforms.

    As well as keyboards and piano, Lisa is also a competent organ player which was her first instrument when beginning her musical training. Therefore, she is also able offer organ lessons for those wishing to learn this instrument.

Sue Griffith

SUE TEACHES:
VIOLIN, VIOLA & RECORDER

  • Sue is a local multi-instrumental musician specialising in violin. Currently grade 5 standard, Sue is working towards ABRSM grades in a diverse range of instruments. As leader of Tywyn Symphony Orchestra and assistant teacher in the Trainee Ensemble, Sue has a passion which she loves to share with others to inspire them to take up or improve playing a musical instrument.

    In her younger years Sue played violin in the musical production The Tempest and was part of Leeds Intermediate School’s Orchestra. As an adult, Sue has performed as a chorister in The Chester Music Society and Festival Chorus, singing major Choral works in Chester and Liverpool Cathedrals, The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester in its opening week, and The Royal Albert Hall. More recently Sue has performed, playing her electric violin and ukulele, at local open mic evenings and The Tywyn Live Music Festival.

    Moving to Tywyn several years ago, Sue has been searching for musical opportunities. Since joining the Totaleigh Music School as one of the founder members just over a year ago, Sue has progressed to lessons with a professional violinist who has performed world- wide. With the ambition of growing the string instrument presence in the local area, Sue believes everyone should have the opportunity, should they wish, to learn to play violin and other string instruments.

    Always wanting to improve standards Sue has achieved ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory and has completed the ABRSM course “Becoming a better music teacher”, as well as a Level 2 teacher training course and an online course in “Pre-School Music Singing Games and Activities”. Sue’s teaching philosophy is to facilitate learning, giving students the opportunity to learn in a relaxed environment at their own pace, adapting her teaching style to student individual needs.

kai oakley

KAI TEACHES:
GUITAR & DRUMS

  • Kai has been playing guitar for nearly 15 years. His interest in music intensified during his 6th from college days whilst studying a Level 3 Diploma in music and designing and building an electric guitar as part of his EPQ course. At this time Kai also discovered some of his all time favourite bands which fuelled his pursuit to learn more about the music industry.

    He began by working on a voluntary basis tutoring younger guitarists in the local community. This led to an opportunity working as a music workshop leader for a residential activity week tutoring and preparing students to take part in a small scale music festival, where he also performed with his band as the headline act.

    Following a successful audition process, Kai secured a place to study at the prestigious British Institute of Modern Music in Bristol for a year, following which he headed to Hereford University at the College of Arts campus to continue his education studying towards both a Degree and Diploma in Popular music.

    In terms of notable achievements in music Kai states that he is “fresh out university and ready to start working towards some worthy goals including performance and guitar technician opportunities already in the pipeline”. Kai is enjoying working with Totaleigh Music, teaching and encouraging those who would like to play guitar, drums or ukulele whether they are just starting out or have been playing for a while, and he hopes to be able to share his musical knowledge and passion for the music with students of all ages and abilities. Kai has a keen interest in heavy metal and jazz harmonies and is well versed in many different styles of playing.

    More recently Kai has taken on the tole as peripatetic drum teacher for Cerdd Gwynedd a Môn at Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn, Ysgol Pen Y Bryn and Ysgol Craig y Deryn.

connor newdick

CONNOR TEACHES:
VOCALS & GUITAR

  • Connor has been singing for as long as he can remember and his passion for music has continued to grow throughout his life. During his time as a student at secondary school, he picked up an acoustic guitar to accompany himself singing in a music competition and he has played the guitar ever since. Music and Drama were his main focus throughout his years in education from primary to secondary school and through to sixth form, during which time he played lead roles in amateur productions of the well known musicals Grease and Oliver.

    From 2016 to 2018 Connor was in a function band called Pik‘N’Mix who went on to win a National Award for the BTEC AWARDS SHOWSTOPPER CHALLENGE where they were winners in demonstrating excellence in Performing Arts. As part of their prize the group performed live at The 8th Annual BTEC Awards where they were recognised for their outstanding achievements at a glittering ceremony in Central Hall, Westminster, London. After achieving the highest grades in his Level 3 qualifications, Connor went on to study at Liverpool Hope University where he graduated with a Joint Honours Degree in Popular Music and Drama.

    Following his degree success, Connor pursued a music teaching career at a secondary school in Liverpool. This experience highlighted his love for helping others and passing his musical knowledge on. However, he also realised during this time that he has many more years ahead as a performer and a vocal and guitar tutor before settling into a full time classroom teaching role.

    As a teacher, Connor has experience working in both secondary schools and primary schools and at specialist schools for those with additional needs. As a performer, he has performed at festivals and events in Wiltshire, Liverpool and Sussex, and more recently is making a name for himself here in Tywyn and the surrounding area as a local performer, taking the stage at Tywyn Live during the Summer and being the support act at various venues for local band The BOMS. Connor is a regular performer at The Magic Lantern open mic nights and at local pubs, and he assists with running community music workshops. Giving his time also to voluntary performances, Connor has entertained residents in care homes and has worked as a music tutor in facilitating extra-curricular activities. He shines at caring for his students and enjoys teaching his specialist knowledge. The attributes that Connor possess are a perfect fit for 1:1 teaching. Totaleigh Music recognise this and are delighted to have him here in Tywyn teaching and performing as part of the Totaleigh Music team of musicians. An enthusiastic teacher with a passion for singing and song writing, Connor has experience working with students of all ages and abilities. His interest in music is extremely expansive, but he states that his favourite musical genres are pop, indie and rock.

paul fenton

PAUL TEACHES:
GUITAR & UKULELE

  • Paul has been playing guitar since his early teens. Originally studying classical guitar, he graduated to folk music and eventually rock and pop. He is a founding member and songwriter of ‘The Rhythm Methodists’, a post punk new wave band that has been performing on and (mostly) off since 1979. Locally he can be found playing with party band ‘The BOMS’, where he enjoys playing a range of material from disco and soul to country and blues. Paul always likes it funky!

    In 2004 Paul began teaching guitar, bass and ukulele with the Cerdd Gwynedd a Môn music service. Mainly working in primary schools, he has gained considerable experience in introducing young students to playing, and also most importantly, having fun whilst doing so! He is a great believer in the value of performance, and seeks to build up his students' confidence to perform in front of others, whether it be in front of their class mates or at school concerts. He has steered students through the graded exam system, in both classical and rock and pop modules. Paul always tries to tailor lessons to the student and is keen to follow their musical interest. His aim is to engage the student with the instrument, because experience has taught him that when this happens, students really start to achieve and become guitar players!

bob pountney

BOB TEACHES:
TRUMPET, CORNET, TENOR HORN & TROMBONE

  • BOB THE HORN Pountney has been playing the trumpet since the age of 12 and throughout his younger years he was a member of Jazz Orchestras, Brass Bands and Concert Bands where his playing took him to both The Royal Festival Hall and The Royal Albert Hall in London.

    His love of brass instruments has remained throughout his life and for many years he was the resident trumpet player in the prestigious UK band The Red Lemon Electric Blues Band. This role saw him performing at corporate functions and venues throughout the UK and Europe, including shows and tours with Chuck Berry, Robert Plant, Edwin Starr, Chaka Khan, Jools Holland, The Blues Brothers, The Blow Monkeys, Curiosity Killed the Cat, and performances for HRH Princess Anne, Sir David Frost and Billy Connolly. A skilled session trumpet player and trumpet teacher to private students, individually and in small group lessons, Bob has been called upon to adjudicate music competitions and has starred on TV playing his trumpet, most notably at the London Marathon in 1997, and on Central Television in 1988 where he appeared with The Red Lemon Electric Blues Band and guest performer Suzi Quatro on the popular lunchtime show Gas St.

    Bob retired form his career as a professional musician over 20 years ago but he has recently returned to playing his trumpet, joining the well-known local band THE BOMS who are regular performers on the local gigging circuit. He also performs more occasionally in duos and small ensembles at community events and open mic nights as well as playing 1st trumpet in the newly formed TSO - TYWYN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. Bob has recordings of his trumpet playing in the public domain and is skilled in arranging and scoring parts.

    As a small anecdote, younger fans of Bob will no doubt be impressed to know that he also once appeared on TV in an episode of TELETUBBIES …appearing through the tummy TV on Teletubby Po playing his trumpet!

holly morris

HOLLY TEACHES:
VOCALS & UKULELE

  • Holly Morris is a vocalist and instrumentalist, specialising in ukulele and guitar. For the last three years she has been studying at The University of Chichester Conservatoire, where she has been working towards a BA Hons Degree in Musical Theatre and Cabaret Performance, receiving specialist training in Singing, Acting, Dancing, Cabaret entertainment styles, and instrumental work and she has taken part in many public performances during her time on the course. Prior to this, Holly also studied Classical Vocals for a year at Bath Spa University.

    Throughout her formative education years Holly demonstrated an ever-growing passion and enthusiasm for the arts, culminating in Distinction grades in her Level 3 Music and Drama Diploma courses. As a volunteer peer tutor in a peer buddy music scheme, Holly was responsible for mentoring younger musicians who all made good progress under her care and expertise. As a skilled actress and singer, she has played lead roles in amateur productions to include We Will Rock You, Grease, and Oliver, and she continues to dedicate much of her time to performing at a variety of events and functions, including facilitating the provision of community music workshops. With her favourite vocal styles including Musical Theatre, Pop, Jazz, and Classical, Holly absolutely loves to sing and perform, and on one notable occasion after performing for royalty at a garden party in Wiltshire The Duke of Gloucester commended her vocal talents.

    In 2016 Holly and a group of musically talented friends formed a function band called Pik’N’Mix. The band proved very popular, and they were soon performing professionally at a range of events in the South of England to include private parties, fundraisers, music festivals and corporate events. In July 2018, Pik‘N’Mix won a National Award for the BTEC AWARDS SHOWSTOPPER CHALLENGE where they were winners in demonstrating excellence in Performing Arts. As part of their prize the group performed live at The 8th Annual BTEC Awards where they were recognised for their outstanding achievements at a glittering ceremony in Central Hall, Westminster, London. The band rocked the ceremony with their acapella performance of the classic Dolly Parton song ‘Jolene’ receiving favourable comments in the media : “Their beat and harmony was perfectly on point throughout the entire performance.”

    Holly has a strong belief that the performing arts should be fun and enjoyable for everyone, and she says “Skill level does not determine enjoyability. No matter a person’s age or background, it’s never too late or too early to start learning to sing or to play a musical instrument, and I am really looking forward to teaching those who want to have fun making music!”

aled williams

ALED TEACHES:
BASS GUITAR & BRASS (TRUMPET, TROMBONE, CORNET, FLUGEL HORN, BARITONE, EUPHONIUM, TENOR HORN AND TUBA).

  • Originally from Bryncrug and now residing in Blaenau Ffestiniog , Aled started his musical journey at the age of 12 in Towyn Silver Band . Aged 17 Aled moved to Barrow in Furness and played euphonium with the Shipyard band.

    After completing his apprenticeship, Aled returned to Bryncrug. In 1994 he was at the forefront in the re-establishment of The Abergynolwyn Silver Band and was their Music Director for over 15 years. Aled has also conducted many other bands including Harlech, Holywell and more recently Northop. Aled is the current MD at Northop Brass.

    After returning to Wales, Aled played with Seindorf yr Oakeley, Beaumaris, Fodens and has been principal euphonium at Northop Silver now for 16 years.

    During this time, he played in venues such as Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, Symphony Hall, Birmingham and no less than 8 visits to the Royal Albert Hall. He has had 12 first prizes at the North Wales Solo Competition and has won “Best soloist "and “Best euphonium ”prizes at various Band contests throughout the U.K.

    Aled is also in demand as a Bass Guitarist throughout North Wales and further afield and is a strong sight reader. He is a co-founder ,MD, Bassist and Music Arranger for Tywyn-based soul band “Back2Backtrax” and is the Bassist with the Welsh Language Rock Band “Y Cyffro”.

    Aled is a full-time peripatetic Brass, Woodwind, Guitar/Bass Educator with various outfits and he holds a current DBS and Safeguarding qualifications with each of these organisations.

Jake O'Sullivan

JAKE TEACHES:
DRUM KIT

  • Jake grew up playing his dad’s drum kit from the early age of 6 years old. In a family environment where music played an important part, Jake was immersed in all genres of music and by the time he reached secondary school age he could turn his ear and playing to any style, leading to him playing in the school show band for musical theatre productions, local rock and pop groups and being given the role of resident drummer in the school jazz band.

    During his time in education, Jake studied GCSE Music at Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn and then went on to study a diploma in contemporary music at The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance in London, where he also spent his time away from studies working as a session player performing in various bands gigging across London.

    After this Jake went on to study drums at BIMM University in Brighton where he achieved a Higher National Diploma in Modern Music During his time at BIMM, Jake was taught by some of the best professional drummers in the UK, he continued to gig as a session musician, toured the UK with his band and recorded 2 EPS.

    As a drum teacher, Jake has experience both as a private tutor and within educational settings, and he has taught aspiring drummers of all ages and abilities. He can teach many styles of drumming to include, but not exclusively rock, pop punk, blues, funk and jazz, and he devises lessons to the needs of his students incorporating reading and the rudiments of music and teaching the skills required to play “by ear”.

    So, in a nutshell there you have it, and after a small hiatus of a few years, Jake is back and now ready to hit it harder than ever!

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