Woodwind

Woodwind Teachers

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  Helen Wright

  B.Mus (Hons) (Flute, Clarinet & Saxophone)


Helen Wright
B.Mus (Hons) (Flute, Clarinet & Saxophone)
Helen began playing the clarinet at the age of 11 and within 2 years started playing flute and saxophone. Whilst at college Helen studied under the direction of Jennifer Murray then went on to successfully complete her BMus Undergraduate Degree at the University of Wales, Bangor. Helen has almost 20 years performing experience not only as a soloist, but also playing in various orchestras, wind bands and local ensembles. She has been a woodwind teacher for over 15 years and has taught at the NMC since December 2002. In addition to her work at the NMC Helen works for Durham Music Service, providing tuition on the full range of woodwind instruments, and teaches privately.
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  Gary Turner

  B.Mus (Clarinet & Saxophone)


Gary Turner
B.Mus (Clarinet & Saxophone)
Gary started playing the saxophone at the age of twelve . He graduated from the Newcastle College Jazz course in 1992 . He has played in a variety of bands ranging from function bands to latin/salsa and jazz bands, and currently plays with The Pilgrim Street Jazz Ensemble based at the Hoochie Coochie Club in Newcastle. Gary also teaches privately and for Northumberland Music Service.
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  Alex Saxon

  B.Mus (Hons) (Flute, Clarinet and Saxophone)


Alex Saxon
B.Mus (Hons) (Flute, Clarinet and Saxophone)
Alex began playing flute and saxophone at the ages of 7 and then 10. In 2013 he graduated with an honours degree In Jazz Popular and Commercial Music from The Sage Gateshead. Alex has played in a variety of big bands, wind bands and orchestras, picking up two outstanding soloist awards and coming second in the North West Music for Youth competition. He actively enjoys performing up and down the country but is predominantly based in the Newcastle area where he teaches and performs regularly.
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  Kieran Szifris

  B.Mus (Hons) (Flute)


Kieran Szifris
B.Mus (Hons) (Flute)
Kieran began making music with the family band in Birmingham, playing his first paid gig at the tender age of 13. His classical training began at the age of 11 and, after gaining Grade 8 flute, led to a place on the Traditional and Folk Music Degree course at Newcastle University. He pursued and learned flute styles from all over the world under first class tutition from musicians such as Niall Keegan, Kathryn Tickell and Brian Finnegan. At University he started his own band, The Monster Ceilidh Band, which has gone on to tour all over the world, including Russia and Malaysia, playing in front of thousands at the UK’s largest festivals. After University, Kieran became a professional musician, playing flute in his own innovative folk-based line ups, and with some of the country’s very best musicians at various festivals. Kieran has won “The New Roots Award” and received many glowing reviews in the UK’s national press and music web sites. He also plays mandolin, and continues to enjoying learning bluegrass style for mandolin from Mike Marshall, one of the world’s leading players. In his spare time Kieran loves to run and play at his weekly folk music session which has been running in Newcastle for the past 8 years.
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  Samantha Spruce

  BA (Hons) (Clarinet & Saxophone)


Samantha Spruce
BA (Hons) (Clarinet & Saxophone)
Samantha graduated from Durham University with an honours degree in music, specialising in performance. Whilst at university Samantha gained a wide range of performance experience, performing solo and in ensembles across a variety of genres, including classical, jazz, contemporary and musical theatre. Since graduating, Samantha has held roles coordinating a number of inclusive music-making programmes across the North East, including the In Harmony programme at Sage Gateshead, with Musinc at Middlesbrough Town Hall, and Mahogany Opera’s Snappy Opera programme in North Tyneside. Samantha has worked as an ensemble director for Harrogate Music Service, and now teaches both clarinet and saxophone privately as well as at the NMC.