Parents
Music Lessons

Music blurb

Music blurb

At KSM, we believe music lessons help inspire confidence and creativity, improve memory, and enhance coordination for our children. We offer a varied range of music experiences across all year groups.

 

Musical Instrument Lessons

We currently have 3 peripatetic music teachers who offer individual guitar, piano and woodwind lessons.
Please select the lessons below for teacher information and contact details.

Music teachers

Music teachers

  • Guitar Lessons

    James Ladd

    Mr Ladd studied for a BA (Hons) in Music at Dartington College of Arts. After graduating and moving to Bristol, he began performing in a wide range of bands and ensembles. With over 20 years’ experience as a professional musician, he brings a wealth of knowledge to his teaching. His career has included session recording at Maida Vale Studios for BBC Introducing with Typesun, headlining at the Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival with No Go Stop, performing at many major festivals across the UK and Europe, and supporting artists such as Snarky Puppy, the Guillemots and St Germain on tour.

    James believes that sharing real musical experiences can inspire pupils and help make areas such as guitar technique, music theory, notation and performance feel exciting and accessible. He tailors every lesson to each pupil’s needs, interests and goals. He also has extensive experience working with SEN pupils and values the opportunity to adapt his approach to support neurodiverse learners.

    His teaching philosophy centers on igniting a lifelong passion for music and helping every pupil reach their full potential. For James, teaching goes far beyond instruction – it’s about guidance, mentorship and fostering a genuine love of learning. James likes watching live music and dislikes early mornings.

  • Piano Lessons

    Christine Moore

    Mrs Moore has enjoyed over 40 years' teaching experience, which included class teaching in Cardiff and then, after time out raising her family of four daughters, continuing to teach piano and cello both privately and peripatetically.

    Mrs Moore loves a triathlon and visiting the Wiltshire countryside, but she doesn’t like being stuck on a hill!

  • Woodwind Lessons

    Sophie Holden

    Ms Holden is a specialist woodwind teacher with nearly 30 years' experience, and holds a CTABRSM. She earned her Bachelor of Music (Hons) from the University of Sheffield, where she studied music history, harmony, psychology, education, criticism and performance. During her final years, she attended weekly techniques classes with Peter Lloyd at the Royal Northern College of Music.

    After graduating, Sophie joined Wells Cathedral School’s Specialist Music Department, coaching young musicians across all instruments and teaching aural and theory. She later worked with Wiltshire Music Service and BANES Music Service, and continues to teach woodwind in primary and secondary schools.

    In addition to teaching, Sophie enjoys conducting school ensembles and coaches several senior groups for WEMA. She also coordinates BSYM’s Hayesfield Saturday Music Centre and is regularly invited to coach on residential and orchestral courses across the South West. As a performer, Sophie plays with the New Bristol Sinfonia and enjoys a varied freelance career with groups including The Bristol Ensemble and Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra.
Rocksteady

Rocksteady

Rocksteady

Alongside our musical instrument lessons, we also have weekly in-school band lessons that celebrate fun, individuality and creativity through Rocksteady.

Children can learn to play an instrument in their very own band with no experience necessary. Guided by inspirational musicians, children learn songs they love in a fun and supportive in-school group setting.

For more information please visit the Rocksteady website.

Rocksteady staff

Rocksteady staff

  • Rocksteady Band Leader

    Alex Dixon

    Miss Dixon is a lifelong musician who’s been immersed in sound since the age of eight, learning everything from clarinet and guitar to drums. That early passion for music grew into formal study, leading Miss Dixon to pursue Popular Music at both college and university.

    After graduating in 2021, Miss Dixon joined Rocksteady, where she and other musicians teach hundreds of children each week how to play together, create together, and experience the joy of being in a band.

    Outside the classroom, Miss Dixon loves performing with her own band and keeps creative energy flowing through regular gigs and dance classes. Despite a deep love of loud instruments and lively rehearsal rooms, there’s one sound Miss Dixon can’t stand: knives scraping on a plate.