Young people grow into skilled musicians who listen and co-operate with each other with confidence and creativity.
Instrument tuition is provided by our team of qualified instrumentalists within schools and from our music centres in Chester, Wallasey, Bebington, Winsford, and Weaverham.
Group lessons in schools are also available for beginners, and as students progress and become more experienced they usually prefer to have an individual 20 or 30-minute lesson.
Instrument tuition starts from £7.20 per lesson and includes FREE Music Centre membership.
You may be entitled to full or partial remission on your music fees. Read our remissions policy to find out more.
Edsential can provide an instrument from our extensive range of stock for you to hire for an agreed period.
Instrument Hire from £34 per term (£27.20 if pupil has lessons with an Edsential tutor). Please contact music@edsential.co.uk for more details or select instrument hire when you register for lessons on our portal.
As your child progresses, there are also plenty of opportunities for students to play or sing together in groups, present thrilling performances and put music at the heart of local communities.
Creativity lives in our wide range of Music Centres, where we host our music lessons, bands, orchestras and choirs. Groups take place in the evenings and weekends in local Music Centres providing a fun and friendly environment where children and young people are motivated to develop their musical skills under the guidance of experienced music tutors.
Music Centre Membership includes:
Membership is charged as follows:
I came into formal study of Music as a mature student when I was 32 at Liverpool Hope University achieving a BA Hons in Music and English literature with a PGCE in Secondary Music a year later.
Prior to that, I was self-taught as a musician and I performed in rock bands and duos in Liverpool and Manchester intermittently. I have busked too which is an excellent way to develop playing styles and repertoire.
I also studied Classical Guitar and achieved a Grade 8 of my own volition as a kind of hobby, although I have performed as such.
I recently left a busy successful cover band after ten years to start a new one, although the pandemic has temporarily halted progress.
I have written and recorded my own material and have an album ready for release shortly around Christmas 2020.
I have taught full time in Secondary School as a Music Teacher, and I have taught instrumental with Wigan, Sefton and now Edsential Music Services respectively since 2006.
My students have collectively achieved nearly three hundred Music Medals as well as dozens of Grade exams over those years,
I have been playing guitar for 16 years and Ukulele for around 5 years
I successfully auditioned for the Music Diploma course at Wirral Metropolitan College in 2007 and went on to study Jazz and Classical guitar, music theory, composition and arranging, and other related subjects for three years-gaining my Diploma in 2010.
After my studies at Wirral Metropolitan College, I went on to successfully audition for a place at a Liverpool University to study BA (Hons) Music. While at university I focused heavily on classical guitar performance, as well as musicology and musical education, taking on many teaching placements in several schools throughout Merseyside. I graduated with second class honours BA (Hons) Music in 2014.
I am extremely passionate about music and I love to pass on my passion for it through my teaching. I like to make learning as much fun as possible and every lesson unique and interesting.
I have been playing in bands since I joined his first band in secondary school with friends and competed against other acts in the school’s annual talent show. Since leaving university, I have toured around the U.K as a performing musician, honing his craft and technique and performing as a session musician for various acts. I have played in small intimate venues to big outdoor stages at some of the U.K’s most popular music festivals.
I am a violinist and I studied Music at The University of Manchester. Before studying at University, I used to play in Cheshire Youth Orchestra.
It is lovely to work for Edsential as my experiences playing in the youth orchestra inspired me to study music and become a teacher.
My favourite performances include playing in the orchestra for the Manchester leg of Gruff Rhys’ Babelsberg Tour and performing at for the Love of Sci Fi alongside dozens of stormtroopers and other Sci Fi greats! Alongside Classical playing, I love playing fiddle in my Ceilidh band. I love teaching as I get to share my passion with others and hope to inspire them to find the love that I have for music. I also love musical theatre, and regularly play in pit bands for shows, and when I’m not playing, I’m is usually either walking my dogs or playing with my 2 guinea pigs.
I began playing the cello when I was 11. I had played some piano and flute before this, but I really loved the sound of the cello and loved playing it as soon as I could make a sound on it. I went to university and graduated from university with an honour’s degree in music. I focused on performance and composition with additional training in teaching strings and conducting.
Since graduating, I have enjoyed a wide and varied career in music including performing in ‘pit’ orchestras for operatic performances, performing regularly in a quartet, teaching, arranging music and conducting.
I have lots of experience working with young people from the ages of 3 to 19 through working as the music specialist at a pre-school, a director of music in a youth theatre, orchestral conductor and a teacher of strings. I am so lucky that I can have a career in an industry that offers so much variation and experience.
Music has been at the centre of my life since I was a child and has given me lifelong friendships, shared experiences and skills that I have been able to excel at. I really enjoy helping to develop skills in my students and sharing my education and performance experience.
In my spare time I enjoy sailing, running and taekwondo. Occasionally, I challenge myself to participate in half marathons and the odd muddy and gruelling assault course with friends. You are never too old to challenge yourself and learn new skills!
I trained as a musician in London and as a teacher in Liverpool and have performed regularly as a soloist, quartet player and with orchestras both professionally and as an amateur.
I have been teaching violin, viola, cello and double bass as well as classroom music for nearly thirty years. I love directing ensembles and led the Crosby music centre string orchestras when I worked in Sefton music service, which consisted of 60 young musicians in total. I have also created string groups in a number of primary and secondary schools. I am passionate about music education, even more so about the benefit to children of playing in ensembles and making music together.
My name is Mark Hooper and I am a Drum Kit and Percussion Tutor for Edsential. I have been hitting drums since I was 7 years, initially self-taught but then more formally as I studied Music Performance at both BA and MA level. I now have a full-time teaching schedule as well as performing and recording all over the UK. My best musical experience was getting the chance to record an album at the legendary Rockfield Studios where some of the greatest recordings have been made, including all of the Queen albums. Outside of music you will most likely catch me either cooking or scrambling up the side of a mountain.
I began my musical route singing in choirs at his primary school. At the age of 11, I intended to learn the saxophone but got redirected as my teacher encouraged me to play a smaller instrument: the clarinet. Since that day, I have ‘never looked back.’ Like most musicians, I went through my music grades, and studied A-level music. Having completed my grade 8 before university, I was perfectly set up to pass the Bachelor of Arts (BA Hons) degree and a clarinet teaching diploma (LGSM).
After university, I went on to join the army as a musician! Touring the world in a military band afforded me the experience of travelling to over 15 countries parading and lifting spirits. The highlight of my army career was getting the opportunity to play at the Royal Garden Party held at Buckingham Palace many times, as well as visiting as a guest. I have performed in front of most of the Royal family! Whilst in the army I passed the prestigious master’s degree (MMus) in conducting and performance as well as a diploma in conducting (LRSM). Upon leaving the army regulars, I switched to the army reserves in Liverpool, which is still an important part of my life, and joined Edsential as a music tutor to pass on my abilities and passion to the new generations. I continue to enjoy playing music in the Wirral Symphonic Wind Band.
I am a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) where I studied clarinet from 2012-2016. As a former member of the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain I have had the opportunity to perform in major venues across the country, notably the Royal Albert Hall as part of the BBC Proms which is one of my favourite musical experiences. I have a passion for teaching, and I want to inspire the next generation of musicians. I enjoy working with children and adults of all ages and abilities. In my free time, I enjoy walking and baking!
I play clarinet (my main instrument) flute and saxophone.
I’ve taught music since I was 18 which is nearly 40 years!
I love playing the piano and I also play the church organ at St Nicholas Church in Wallasey.
I love inspiring children to enjoy such a wonderful lifelong skill.
My best music experience has been playing in the Merseyside Police Band as a guest many years ago! I’ve also played in the orchestra pit for many musicals at The Gladstone Theatre.
Its lovely playing for children to see the different instruments that an orchestra makes up.
My hobbies include knitting, walking, reading and my grandchildren!!
I started the Oboe after hearing a performance at my primary school and loving the sound. I graduated from the RNCM with a degree and post graduate diploma. I love the Oboe for its versatility- playing very early Baroque music right through to modern times and I’ve enjoyed the full range playing with The Kings Consort on Baroque oboe, orchestras such as The BBC philharmonic and RLPO on modern oboe and performing national tours of musicals such as Beauty and The Beast, Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I really enjoy teaching and passing on the opportunities that music has brought me and the fact I am constantly challenged and made to think by my pupils! In my spare time I try to give our cat Wilson some attention, run, cook and have started doing Lino printing!
My name is Mrs Bethan Harper and I teach clarinet, saxophone, flute, piano and music curriculum for Edsential.
I studied clarinet at the Royal Northern College of music, where I gained my BMus(hons) degree, Licentiate of The Royal Schools of Music and PGCE specialising in instrumental teaching.
Since graduating, I have performed with numerous orchestras and chamber ensembles across the North West of England and North Wales. I have also given solo recitals at various venues and have won awards at The National Eisteddfod of Wales.
There are several reasons why I love being a musician whether it’s performing or teaching, the work is always extremely rewarding, and I believe it’s such a privilege to be able to share your passion with others.
It’s very difficult to choose just one favourite musical experience from performing in orchestral concerts at venues such as the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester and Symphony Hall in Birmingham, to giving a solo recital on live television, to spending the day recording at Future Yard with the wonderful Edsential Leaps and Bounds team- it’s all been amazing!
When I’m not performing or teaching, I enjoy running and baking but I suppose I’m lucky enough to be able to say that music is my main hobby as well as my career!
I began playing trumpet at primary school at the age of 8. I remember initially being ‘wowed’ by the sheer power the instrument could produce. I continued to play, practice, and perform my trumpet as much as possible throughout my childhood. I was around 16 years old when I realised that playing the trumpet is what I really wanted to do with my life. After taking my A-levels I was awarded a place to study the trumpet at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester where I was able to develop as a musician through playing in high quality ensembles, solo performances, and recordings. Whilst at college I developed an interest in teaching, working part time for a local music service alongside my studies. Once I had completed my degree, I was offered a place on the very first PGCE course to offer instrumental teaching.
From then on, I never looked back, taking a job with Cheshire County Council which over the years became Edsential Musical Routes where I now work as an Area Lead for Music. I still like to perform my trumpet whenever I get the opportunity, playing with Symphony Orchestras, Chamber music groups and Big Bands to name a few. Outside of the music profession, I like to keep active. I am a keen runner and cyclist, often taking on the odd challenge such as the Manchester marathon or the Coast-to-Coast bike ride.
My name is Rob Watson and I teach Brass instruments for Edsential. I teach across the range of Brass instruments but my own instrument is the Horn and I dabble in Trombone playing from time to time. I studied Music in the 1980s at Sandown College of Performing Arts in Liverpool, then did my PGCE at St Martin’s College in Lancaster. I have been performing since the age of 16, both professionally and with amateur orchestras, in all sorts of music from Musicals through Jazz and Classical music.
I love playing because of the adrenalin rush of performance and the sense of camaraderie, especially in a horn section. I love teaching because I get to share my passion for music making, hopefully inspiring my students to enjoy music making themselves. My favourite musical experience is any time I get to play a Mahler symphony. My other pastime is walking my three dogs and training and competing in dog agility.
My main instrument is Euphonium, I am also a very keen trombone player.
I studied music at the University of Huddersfield, and during this time I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in the world of brass bands.
I have been very fortunate through playing in brass bands to perform in some amazing concert halls such as the Royal Albert Hall and Birmingham Symphony Hall and play in the pit band for Brassed Off at Theatre Clwyd.
My true passion is conducting my junior brass band, seeing the future musicians develop both musically and socially.
I trained at Liverpool Hope University as a Primary School Teacher, specialising in Music. I am an experienced class teacher, as well as music teacher, and have worked in a number of primary schools across Merseyside and Cheshire. I now work as Area and Vocal Strategy Lead for Edsential Musical Routes.
I am passionate about song-writing and have led many song-writing workshops and projects with primary schools and music residential workshops at our residential centre on Anglesey. I previously worked as choral conductor for Preludes, the training choir for Chester Music Society and have led many primary school choirs. I am now leading Edsential’s very first virtual choir – Virtuoso, for children across Wirral, Chester and West Cheshire. Out of difficult times, comes unprecedented opportunities, and Virtuoso is one of those.
