Hayley has been playing the violin for 27(!!!) years. She graduated from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in 2015 with a performance honours degree and a LTCL in instrumental teaching.

Having been teaching passionately for 10 years in universities, schools and privately, she finally got around to creating the River Thames Music Academy. She splits her time between Blackheath, London and Maidenhead which are both along the beautiful River Thames, hence the name!

She regularly performs and has played in some iconic venues, including the London Palladium and Abbey Road Studios. You can regularly find Hayley playing in pit bands for musicals but she’s also played for orchestras, weddings, corporate events alongside DJs and even fashion shows! Most recently she has had the pleasure of joining the Ministry of Sound Classical orchestra in gigs across the UK including performing at the Royal Albert Hall.

Becky has played the violin for 20 years and graduated from the London College of Music with a degree in Classical Music Performance in 2020. She now teaches in numerous schools and with her private students across London, Slough and Maidenhead.

Besides her teaching, Becky is a freelance violinist and violist. With extensive experience in orchestral performance, she has played in venues such as St John’s Smith Square, Abbey Road Studios and the Royal Albert Hall. Having first played at the Theatre Royal Windsor at the age of 17, Becky is often found in orchestral pits playing for musical theatre productions and operas, as well as enjoying regular gigs for weddings, parties and corporate clients.

Becky is excited to bring her enthusiasm for music education to the River Thames Music Academy, and is ready to help guide you towards your goals whatever they may be!

Laurence is a pianist, educator and musical director from Reading with nearly two decades of teaching experience across primary and secondary schools, private studios and community music settings in Berkshire, Manchester and Bermuda. He teaches students of all ages and abilities, from complete beginners to advanced and professional-level musicians, and is known for a flexible, highly individual approach to education that adapts to the needs, strengths and learning styles of each student.

Laurence studied piano at the Royal Northern College of Music, where he was awarded the Terence Greaves Prize for Big Band Music, before completing a Master of Music in Performance at the University of Southampton. During his training he studied with distinguished pianists and educators including David Owen Norris, Peter Churchill, Nils Franke, Kirk Nurock and Nadia Giliova.

Alongside his teaching work, Laurence has performed extensively as both a solo pianist and musical director in concerts, theatre productions and jazz festivals across the UK and Europe. Recent musical direction credits include Footloose with HAODS and a critically acclaimed production of Parade at Progress Theatre. He has also written pedagogical articles for the European Piano Teachers’ Association magazine.

Central to Laurence’s teaching philosophy is the belief that music education should be holistic, engaging and personal. He aims to connect musical learning with the wider interests and experiences of each student, drawing on broader educational, cultural and creative contexts so that lessons feel meaningful, accessible and tailored to the individual.

Charlie has been drumming for nearly 20 years. He graduated from the London College of Music in 2022 after completing his undergraduate and postgraduate studies in performance.  He has been working as a freelance percussionist in London and surrounding areas which had led him to playing and recording in venues such as; Snape Maltings, Cadogan Hall and Abbey Road Studios. 

He is also in demand as a kit player, and has played in theatres across the UK for various theatre shows. Most recently as the drummer on ‘For You I’d Wait’ at The Turbine Theatre. He also works for The Marina Theatre in Lowestoft each Christmas for their annual pantomime. Charlie’s lessons are tailored to your needs either on Drum Kit or Tuned Percussion. Whether you are working towards graded exams, or if you just want to learn how to play your favourite songs!

Mychele is a Canadian musical theatre artist currently based in London, England. A graduate of Sheridan College’s prestigious Music Theatre Degree Program, she has performed all over Canada, the United States, the Caribbean and now England. Some of her credits include the Thursford Christmas Spectacular (2022), Big Band Beat, Aladdin and Frozen with Disney Entertainment as well as the US tour of Shopkins Live! 

As well as performing, Mychele enjoys teaching voice and acting to any aspiring singer or musical theatre performer out there. She tailors her lessons to the individual and is happy to dive into technique, audition prep, theory or ear training if so desired; or, just come and sing for fun! 

Kris began playing the flute at the age of eight under the tuition of his father. He moved to London in 2012 to study at the Royal Academy of Music. Receiving the Regency Award upon graduation, Kris enjoyed a busy freelance and teaching schedule. As a freelance orchestral musician, he has worked with a number of the London orchestras, including the Philharmonia Orchestra as a guest Principal Flute, as well as orchestras across the UK. 

Kris’ interest in education led to him going back into full-time education during the Covid Pandemic to study for a PGCE. He is currently a full-time music teacher at Langley Grammar School.