olly gourley - Vocals & Fundraising

Olly has a Diploma in Singing from the London College of Music. As well as technical vocal training, he has lots of experience coaching students in performance skills across multiple genres. Olly is himself, an accomplished Singer and multi-instrumentalist and currently be found playing keys and working on arrangements for The Tempo Collective.

As a Vocal Coach, under Olly’s guidance student successes have ranged from gaining the confidence to sing in public, to being offered leading roles in UK tours, West End Productions and places on well known TV talent shows.

As well as coaching vocals, Olly is responsible for our fundraising strategy, leading on initiatives such as the Estuary Walk and Olly’s Quiz! Click here to find out about our events.

billy hoyle - guitars and production

Billy has a degree in music performance from ICMP (The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance) and provides coaching to our young people in band skills, songwriting and music production; and heads up all things guitars.

Billy’s experience includes his speciality - playing bass; having spent time playing with Artists such as 'George Gaudy' and 'Tactful Kactus', plus many more. He has played gigs overseas and across the UK in venues such as the O2 Islington and is well known for his confident musical delivery and enthusiastic stage performances - making him perfectly placed to work with our bands.

As well as his playing experience, Billy is also an accomplished musical director and arranger, songwriter and vocalist - having provided backing vocals in bands. Plus he is a whizz with music production and technologies such as Garageband and Logic, working with our songwriters to help produce their works.

yolanda pikitayi - vocals

Yolanda is a versatile gospel artist, choir leader and vocal coach. Her interest in music started at a young age, she was involved in productions, concerts, children’s choirs both at primary school and in religious organisations.

In her teens she was a youth choir leader and went on to be a lead soloist in a church choir at regional and national conferences. Being a natural and innovative leader who is always on the lookout for opportunities to share her love for music led Yolanda to co- found the Kent gospel choir which grew to over 40 members and in the first year and finished as semi finalists at the University Gospel Choir of the year.

In 2019 as part of a gospel trio, Yolanda impressed The Voice UK coaches and gained a spot on the UK’s premier talent show ‘ The Voice UK’ and was privileged to work with the likes of Will.i.am, Jennifer Hudson, Olly Murs and was mentored by the legendary Sir Tom Jones.

In the same year, she started releasing her own music and enjoys sharing that passion and knowledge with others around her.

Yolanda can be found coaching vocal harmony in our group singing classes and 1:1 vocals.

SI DEAVES - drums

Si has been playing drums since he was 11, which was longer ago than he cares to admit. During which time he's played in many bands, worked as a session drummer, live, recording and in theatre shows, as well as teaching students of all ages for the best part of twenty years. He's studied under many teachers, including some of the best session players working today, as well earning a diploma at the British Academy of New Music, which was founded by George Martin.

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'One of the greatest undiscovered acts in the country' - BFG Concerts

'Great. Very Original.' - Anonymous famous comedian

flo evans - music assistant

Flo is a young musician who’s trained with The Song School in Vocals, Songwriting, Piano and Guitar. Flo has aspirations to become a professional recording artist and can often be found playing in local venues and busking around the City.

As a student, Flo entered our mentor programme and swiftly displayed excellent leadership skills, organisation, quick thinking and all alongside a natural ability to coach children and young people. As a result we brought her onto the coaching team in the Music Assistant role, where she is supporting our youngest students in their music journeys, alongside supporting them with any concerns: an extension of her role as a student mentor.

emily stokes - COMMUNICATIONS assistant

Emily was a student with The Song School for over 6 years, harnessing her skills in singing, songwriting and keys. During her time as a student Emily went from being a complete beginner, to appearing in showcases and performances at the Towngate, Clifftown and Palace Theatres, Village Green Festival and other smaller venues across Southend. She also took part in recording sessions and appeared as the featured singer in music video ‘I Miss You’.

Emily was one of our first student mentors, supporting our younger students in classes with their singing and ensuring they felt supported and comfortable. As a result, she is still a friendly and familiar face for students, when she returns to visit.

Emily is now studying Business Management at the University of Surrey and is currently with us on her 1 year placement, supporting all things communications, so when you email the School it is Emily you are speaking to.

megan rose buxton - music workshops

Megan is a singer/songwriter, well known across the local area, performing regularly at venues and festivals. Since the age of 16 she has been writing, recording and performing Country Music. Megan released her first EP ‘Brave This’ in September 2018 and it reached number 6 in the Apple Country Album Charts.

So far in her career, she has been fortunate enough to perform all over the world in venues such as The Sydney Opera House, The Royal Albert Hall, and events like the Tamworth Country Music Festival, in Australia.

As a teacher, Megan has experience educating children and adults from the ages of 8 upwards in a range of styles, including Contemporary, Musical Theatre and Opera. Over the past seven years she has worked in settings supporting Children with a range of additional needs, including St Christophers School and most recently, at the Lighthouse Child Development Centre.

Megan coaches in our workshops with our young musicians on their musicianship, songwriting and artistry and with our youngest budding musicians.

Emma-Jane beaumont - piano coach

Emma-Jane has been playing the piano and composing since the age of 5. During her career, Emma-Jane has played professionally in orchestras and bands in regular music events, as well as the Royal Albert Hall. She has experience teaching piano, violin, and vocals, and works as a confidence coach to help children with performance in general.