Meet the Tutors

BA (Hons) DipABRSM ARCO

Mark Bromley

I started playing the piano at the age of 7, the ‘cello at the age of 9 and the organ at the age of 12.  I studied music at Exeter University and hold diplomas in piano and organ performance.  I have a thriving teaching practice with upwards of 40 pupils and over 15 years teaching experience.  I am the official accompanist for the Tunbridge Wells Arts Festival, Organist at St. Margaret’s, Horsmonden and Musical Director of Horsmonden Village Choir.  I enjoy playing music written for two pianos and accompanying singers and instrumentalists of all standards. Further details at www.markbromleymusic.co.uk

Nick Stephens

I have been teaching groups of children in schools and independently for over 20 years. At SMC, I provide individual lessons in guitar, bass, ukulele, singing and song-writing. Since September 2021, I’ve been running the SMC rock band for guitar, bass, drum, ukulele and singing. The group includes adults and children, and we work on a mixture of popular cover songs and originals written by band members. 
Outside SMC, as well as teaching in schools, I write and perform my own music. I invented the Octave Guitar in 2004, which is a standard acoustic guitar fitted with bass strings, allowing me to create a uniquely full sound on it. My enjoyment of writing and performing is the natural companion to my teaching. I aim to pass on that pleasure in music-making to my students, building their confidence and helping them explore their potential.   

Becca Manning​

I am a pianist and qualified primary teacher (Early Childhood specialist).  In 2008 I qualified as a primary school teacher, specialising in teaching children in the Early Years. I have taught at a number of primary schools in London and Kent.  I particularly enjoy using music to assist social interaction and development in young children. I hold the new ARSM diploma and the Cert PTC (Piano Teachers Course), both awarded with distinction.
 
I am also the pianist for the SMC Community Choir and All Saints Children Choir. Further details at www.beccamanningpiano.co.uk

William Davidson

I worked as a violinist based in Hong Kong with various groups including the City Chamber Orchestra, Broadway Asia, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the BBC Scottish Symphony. I was in demand as a session player, working on string backing tracks for the Canto-pop industry and other commercial recordings. I built up a private teaching studio, and was successful preparing students for exams ( mostly AB, but also external Trinity diploma) and music festival performances. I left Hong Kong to focus on raising a family. I studied the violin with Simon Kuhn and was a member of Yfrah Neaman’s class at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. 

Keely Timms

Mike Clark

I have been teaching piano for 12 years to pupils of all ages, using a combination of music theory, technique, sight reading, ear training and composition/improvisation to help them become well rounded musicians, working towards graded exams or just learning their favourite songs for fun (or both!)

I have also been performing professionally in bands for 13 years, playing both locally and touring Europe, and so can offer some insights into how to prepare for playing live, solo or in an ensemble.