billy hoyle - MUSIC COACH

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.

olly gourley - STUDIO MANAGER

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.

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.

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

'Great. Very Original.' - Anonymous famous comedian

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.

flo evans - Associate Music coach

Flo began her journey at The Song School aged 15 as a participant, starting in Vocals before exploring Songwriting, Piano, Guitar and Band. She was actively involved in many of our performance events. Flo aspires to become a professional recording artist and can currently be found on TikTok, busking around Southend and performing on local stages.

As a student, Flo entered our Youth Mentor programme and swiftly displayed excellent leadership skills, organisation, quick thinking and a natural ability to coach children and young people. As a result, we brought her onto the coaching team as a Music Assistant to explore the music coach pathway, where she supported young people in their music journeys with a particular focus on vocals.

This year she was promoted to Associate Music Coach on our pathway to full coach, where we are supporting her training in her chosen discipline - vocals. You can find Flo supporting all vocal sessions alongside our lead vocal coach Olly, and working with our singer-songwriters from juniors upwards.

Tom cunningham - songwriting

Tom is an accomplished singer-songwriter and the frontman of the indie rock band The Trusted. A graduate of Goldsmiths, University of London, with a degree in Popular Music, Tom has honed his craft as a dynamic performer and skilled songwriter.

With The Trusted, he has played gigs across the UK and internationally, earning a reputation for powerful live performances. The band’s music has been featured on BBC introducing, BBC Radio 1, Radio X as well as numerous other radio stations across the globe! Tom’s songwriting is characterised by its emotional depth and engaging melodies, making him perfectly placed to work with our emerging songwriters and bands.

GEORGIA CHURCHILL - MARKETING & SALES EXECUTIVE

Georgia has been working in the marketing industry for over five years, bringing creativity, strategy, and a love of music to her role. She holds an HND in English Literature and Creative Writing, which has strengthened her passion for storytelling and communication.

As Sales and Marketing Executive at The Song School, Georgia leads multi-channel campaigns, plans and promotes events, creates engaging content, and builds relationships with young people, families, and the wider community. She is also an experienced UGC content creator, producing authentic social media campaigns that resonate with audiences. Georgia is passionate about helping others discover the joy of music and supporting every child’s opportunity to thrive through music education.

fay velleman - inclusion consultaNt

Fay Velleman works alongside the whole team on our approach to inclusion, with a particularly around how we coach and communicate with our Neurodivergent members who make up a considerable percentage of our community, helping us to develop our Alternative Provision. Fay’s work underpins one of our core aims; “Support young people with neurodivergence to find their way in the world”

Fay Velleman is a Level 7, NASENCO qualified, Special Educational Needs, Neurodiversity and Disabilities consultant, SENDCo and teacher with ten years experience of working with children and young people with SEND. Fay specialises in supporting young people with learning differences and disabilities on their journey through education and into adulthood.

Fay’s principal objective is to promote equity for all young people with SEND, and to ensure that they have what they need to meet their potential and make progress.

As a mum to 16-year old twins, both of whom have a love for music, performing arts and the theatre, and both of whom are neurodivergent and/or disabled, she is perfectly placed to lead this strategy for The Song School.

For an informal conversation and to find out more about our approach to inclusion at The Song School, please complete the form below, which goes directly to Fay: