Teacher Information
David Smith
Hi, my name is David, I teach Young Sounds: Connect’s students’ guitar, music technology and composition … as well as keyboard and brass instruments across Primary, Secondary, SEND and College settings in Sunderland.
I also run a music publishing, artist management & record label and work with a number of bands.
I love teaching on the programme, to set a goal with a student and then invest your time together to strive to achieve it, is something that is always a joy when you can see the result and have enjoyed the journey in learning and achieving together.
Sophia Pearson
I teach Piano and Cello in a number of schools in and around Sunderland. The Connect programme allows for one-to-one lessons, which really allows the personality of pupils to shine through- I love the variety that teaching the ‘same’ instrument can bring.
When not teaching music, I have been known to brave the temperatures of the North Sea!
Ethan Burford
I teach guitar for the Young Sounds: Connect programme, but I am also well versed in playing a plethora of instruments. It gives the younger generation a chance to pursue a career in music that otherwise could’ve been halted from other issues, it’s also great fun and I enjoy teaching the students I have! For me, being a teacher is my way of giving back to society!
Being able to inspire the younger generation through teaching/gigging is one of my lifetime goals and seeing the local music scene grow from when I was younger has been a great journey! I hope to inspire more local artists/young musicians around the area to get amongst it!
Carole King
Hello, my name is Carole King and I am one of the singing Tutors on the Young Sounds: Connect Programme.
I love to teach all styles of singing from Adele to Puccini! My favourite part of teaching is seeing my pupils grow in confidence with their singing and performing. I believe that Music and Singing is good for everyone and should be a part of day to day life.
When I’m not singing I enjoy going to see live music, and my tastes are very broad, just like all the styles I like to teach. My other loves are cooking and walking my Cockapoo Oscar. Young Sounds: Connect is a great scheme to give young music students the chance to explore their musicality and to grow their confidence.
Olivia Ord
I am a Piano tutor on the Connect programme. It’s great to teach and inspire young people who may not have been giving these musical opportunities if it wasn’t for the scheme. Seeing the ability and confidence of a young person grow is so rewarding as a tutor.
I also teach in a number of other Primary and Secondary schools. When I’m not teaching I perform in my duo and band, working all over the country at weddings & private events.
