Luke Whicker
Company Founder & Lead Teacher
I am the founder of Groove Music and one of my main roles is to run the band sessions with all age groups. I give energetic group lessons centred around being part of a band with the end goal of a live performance in mind. Our younger and older Groove bands have played on stages at many prestigious venues and events and this has been the highlight of my teaching career! I also teach many instruments including guitar, piano, vocals, bass and drums. My personal passion is certainly the guitar; electric, acoustic, classical, i live and breath them all.
I have an enthusiastic nature and a drive to see students succeed in whichever way they desire. I recognise the differences in peoples learning styles and understand that students have unique goals or learning outcomes so I carefully tailor my lessons to suit their specific needs.
I have 15 years of professional music industry experience as i have been singer-songwritter and lead guitarist in a successful band ‘Late Day Breakers’. We have played to audiences of thousands, won many competitions and had hands on experience and dealings with; A and R agents, promotion teams, label management, Studio Engineers and Producers and publishing companies.
I have been teaching for over 15 years and have seen hundreds of students through their graded exams guiding many students from scratch to grade 8. This has also given me experience with all UK exam boards- ABRSM, RSL, Trinity, RGT etc. I have been teaching in many recognised educational establishments such as; Watford UTC, Maple Grove Primary School, The Astley Cooper Secondary School, Krishna Avanti Primary School and Music Gym Music School.
Music Qualifications:
- Grade 8 Electric guitar ‘Distinction’
- National Diploma in Music Practice and Performance ‘Triple Distinction’
- Grade 8 Bass Guitar ‘Distinction’
- Extensive Teacher Training at ‘Yamaha UK Headquarters’
Tamara Day
IT & Teaching Support
I started playing acoustic guitar in primary school and electric guitar as a teenager, but unfortunately found that ‘life got in the way’ so didn’t play for a long time. As an Adult, I decided I wanted to rediscover guitar and this time take a more structured approach. With Luke’s support, I worked through the Rockschool curriculum achieving grade 8 electric guitar.
Meanwhile, I also learned to perform, to sing, play bass and drums. For the last few years I’ve been playing on stage both solo and as part of a rock covers band, playing gigs at a variety of local venues.
My role at Groove Music involves assisting with the band classes and supporting students, or teaching beginners guitar. I also leverage my ‘day job’ expertise to provide business and IT support.
Tom Oldfield
Teacher: Guitar & Bass
I am a post-graduate with a Masters degree in Music and the teaching of music. My insatiable passion is playing and of course teaching the guitar.
I have been playing guitar for over 10 years with my main focus being rock and metal genres but i have studied a wide variety of music from around the globe. I have been studying music in higher education for the past five years, and after completing a graduate course at the British Institute of Modern Music in Brighton, I completed a post graduate course specifically in the teaching and learning of music. I have also studied music theory in detail and I always enjoy teaching the subject.
I have been teaching for around 5 years now and i have taught a variety of different students with all types of abilities and have good experience with all ages of students too. I have experience teaching all styles of the guitar including electric, acoustic, classical and the bass guitar as I my self take please in the different tones and feel each type of guitar gives to the guitarist.
Michiko Shimanuki
Teacher: Piano / Keyboard
Imogen Pledge
Teacher: Piano, Clarinet
I have been teaching the piano for the last three years and have taught both adults and children. I am a keen believer of making music accessible for all, allowing music to be a medium to express and grow in many ways. I am friendly and encouraging and happily teach those who want to take grades or play for fun.
I have played the piano since I was 7 and during my school years gained two grade 8 ABRSM Distinctions on the piano and clarinet. I graduated with a BA Music with Sociology degree at the University of Southampton and I am currently taking a Performance Masters at the University of Birmingham. I specialise and enjoy the piano Romantics such as Chopin, Fauré and Lizst. My experience has covered a range of charity concerts to playing for a fee in various settings. One of the highlights was performing at Southampton’s Turner Sims. During my studies I had a valuable experience volunteering with music therapy groups for young children.
Jake Adams
Teacher: Guitar, Drums
I am a post graduate with an honours degree in Popular Music and Production from the University of Gloucestershire, having previously studied at the Institute of Contemporary Music in London.
I’m a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter playing guitar, drums, and bass for over 10 years as well as a music producer. Having been in gigging bands since the age of 11 playing at many iconic London venues I am no stranger to live performing and have had my own tracks played on radio stations in the US and local radio in the UK. I have a love for 90s Hip-Hop and Heavy Metal but have studied genres across the board, and am currently the lead guitarist and song writer in a metal band.
My music journey started on drums which I learnt from the age of 9 going through the grades in a short space of time. Then I picked up a guitar and found my true passion and the rest is history! Any budding rockers would be coming to the right place! I can teach basic chords, scales and grades to beginners, through to advanced techniques including shredding for metal fans and established guitarists, or anyone who just wants to learn or enhance their skills for fun!
Gaura Horn
Teacher: Piano / Keyboard
Starting piano at the age of 5, I excelled to grade 8 in the space of just 2 years. I then continued my studies at the Yehudi Menuhin Music School in Surrey and Royal College of Music in London. I have since developed a passionate and holistic approach to my instrument and love to share this with you.
Performances:
– River Recital Sept. 2018, July 2018, June 2017, April 2017
– Delrow House 2014, 2016
– Royal College of Music, Prince Road 2012
– Wigmore Hall 2010
– Beethoven Prize, Royal College of Music 2010
– Dina, France 2009
– Royal Festival Hall 2009
– Yehudi Menuin Memorial Hall, 2007, 2008, 2009
– Norah Sand Award, Semi Finalist 2006
Tanya Marie Davies
Teacher: Piano/ Keyboard
Tanya began learning the piano at 7 years old. Over the next few years, she won first place in many prestigious Eisteddfod competitions across Wales, also performing in many charity concerts and on national television. Aged 12, she was awarded a scholarship for classical piano to Chetham’s School of Music, where she studied for four years. Upon returning to Wales for A-levels, she became deputy accompanist and guest soloist for the Melincryddan Male Voice Choir on tours across the UK and Europe and also worked as a rehearsal pianist for the Swansea Grand Theatre Dance School’s Ballet Department.
After graduating with honours from Cardiff University and obtaining a DipABRSM in practical piano teaching, Tanya moved to Beijing, where she lived for 7 years teaching piano, music and drama at Beijing’s top International Schools. During this time, she performed with various ensemble groups including the Beijing International Chamber Orchestra, directed the Jin Tian Golden Fields choir for autistic children and co-directed the Official International Children’s Choir of the 2008 Beijing Olympics on tours across Asia, and Europe. She served as Music Director for the Beijing Playhouse, and later became Artistic Director of their Performing Arts Academy for Children.
Tanya then lived in Los Angeles, USA, where she served as Programme Director for a Performing Arts charity, as well as co-composing on various independent multimedia projects, including the music for a runner-up in the Producers Guild of America’s Short Film Awards. She returned to London in 2014, where she has worked as a piano and music teacher across London and Hertfordshire, including at King’s College School in Wimbledon. During this time she has also delivered music workshops for the Refugee Council, performed at the Royal Festival Hall and the V&A Museum in London, and directed the Sunday Assembly Community Choir. Tanya currently lives in Watford where she works as a freelance tutor, composer/arranger and designs music education resources.