Our Teachers

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Stuart Forster BA(Hons)


Principle


Piano and Vocal Tuition


Stuart has always been involved in music from the age of 6 when he started piano lessons with his next door neighbour.


At the age of 7 Stuart joined his local church choir and his passion for singing blossomed.


Since the early days Stuart has progressed his musical career in many ways. Stuart was appointed as ‘Musical Scholar’ at St Peter’s Church, Harrogate where he would lead the service in playing the organ, lead junior choir practise, conduct the adult choir during services and take many of the solo parts. After three years at St Peter’s Stuart moved to the Cathedral Church of St Anne’s, Leeds where he held the position of Organ Scholar and Music Librarian. At St Anne’s Stuart would perform with the cathedral choir, accompany the Boys Choir and play for the Saturday evening Mass.


Stuart studied for a Diploma in Higher Education in Music at the University of Huddersfield studying composition with Prof Christopher Fox and music performance with Dr Graham Cummings. Stuart completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree through the Open University.


After completing his DipHE at Huddersfield Stuart became a peripatetic music teacher for North Yorkshire County Council teaching piano and keyboard in many of the schools in and around Skipton.


In May 2007 Stuart set up S.A.F Music Tuition to allow pupils of all ages and abilities the opportunity to play the piano or sing.


Stuart has performed in many major venues around the UK and also in Europe:


    

  • Harrogate International      Centre
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  • Harrogate Royal Hall
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  • Leeds Town Hall
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  • Huddersfield Town Hall
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  • Birmingham Symphony Hall
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  • The      Royal Albert Hall, London
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  • The      National Festival Hall, London
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  • The Academy of Ancient      Music, Brno, Czech Republic
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Stuart has also had the pleasure of being the Music director for many events including celebration evenings at York Minster, Ripon Cathedral and Leeds Cathedral. He also had great pleasure in taking up the role of Musical Director for the ‘Christmas at Castle Howard’ celebrations for 5 years running.


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Dave Smith BA(Hons)


Trumpet Tuition


Dave Smith joined the cornet ranks of the Black Dyke Band in 2009, previous to which he had gained experience playing for bands such as Carlton Main Frickley, Grimethorpe, Yorkshire Imps and Brighouse and Rastrick. In the same year Dave graduated from the York St John University with a BA Honours degree in Performance: Music. During his time at University he played for many ensembles also leading them as Musical Director.









His love for music started at a young age when aged seven he began to play the Cornet and the Trumpet, playing in Concert and Swing bands through primary school and into secondary, gaining ABRSM examinations up to Grade Eight. In 1998 he joined the Tewit Youth Band progressing from the junior band to the senior within a short space of time also enjoying some European tours with the senior band. In 2003 he joined the Harrogate Band who were in the Championship section at the time on the front row, a band he would in 2006 become principal Cornet of, a position he held until early 2009 when he stepped down to join Carlton Main Frickley on front row.









Dave has performed to many different audiences over the years all over the UK in various venues and events and also the world throughout his playing career, someaudiences even including famous people most of which was at the opening of the Royal Hall in Harrogate in 2008 when he played to HRH Prince Charles.