Instrumental and Vocal Teaching Staff
We are very lucky that our pupils receive lessons from musicians with extensive performance and teaching experience.
Woodwind/Brass – Allyson McManus
Mrs McManus is our curriculum leader for music and also teaches Brass and Woodwind instrumental lessons. She is a classroom music teacher of 23 years’ experience and she also teaches music in the classroom and Brass at Rhyddings.
Mrs McManus read Music at the University of Liverpool and completed her PGCE at Manchester Metropolitan University. During her time at Liverpool, she studied trumpet with Rhys Owens (Royal Liverpool Philharmonic) and continues as a brass band cornet player with Darwen Brass and Grange Brass. In addition, she plays the flute, clarinet, saxophone, piano and sings with KTB Voice – a Preston based chamber choir with whom she has also performed as a soloist. Mrs McManus has extensive experience at preparing candidates for ABRSM instrumental and theory exams in addition to having taught music at GCSE and Btec for many years.
Guitar – John Norton
Mr Norton is full time musician a part time session guitarist based in the North West of England. He has worked with various record labels and performed within high-end musical theatre pit bands. He is a PGCE Certified teacher with a background in high school education and studied at Bristol Institute of Modern Music where he achieved his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance.
Mr Norton regularly performs corporate functions and weddings. Mr Norton’s areas of expertise range from Jazz and Country to Fusion and Rock. He is a music theory teacher and experienced with ABRSM, RGT and Rock School exam boards.
Piano/keyboard – Ross Stevens
Mr Stevens is an experienced musical director, pianist, accompanist and music producer. He has successfully run his own music school, RDS Music for a number of years, alongside his directorship of Clearwater Music School and tutoring at Darwen School of Music. Mr Stevens completed a BSc in Music Technology at The University of Central Lancashire and completed his piano performance diploma with distinction at The University of West London.
Woodwind – Mr Dawkins
Mr Dawkin’s career as a musician started in 1979 when he studied as an Army musician at Kneller Hall. Then he joined his regiment in Cyprus and travelled to many countries in Europe, playing at prestigious events, including Royal occasions. After leaving the Army he started teaching at Blackburn School of Music and Bolton School Boys’ Division. He teach clarinet, saxophone and flute. He regularly prepare students for ABRSM and Trinity grade examinations, and also for GCSE and A level practical exams. Mr Dawkin has an excellent record of results, and his pupils often achieve Merits and Distinctions.
Singing – Rachel Toner
Ms Toner has undergone many years of both classical and modern vocal training, and now seeks to incorporate “the best of both worlds” into her approach to teaching. Along with her teaching qualifications, she holds an Advanced Diploma in Contemporary Popular Music, which includes modern vocal training and techniques, as well as Studio Engineering, Music Technology and Music Business. She has extensive experience in the world of musical theatre, on both sides of the curtain! Credits include “Calamity Jane”, “Anything Goes”, “Guys and Dolls” (nominated for best Musical Director), “Little Shop Of Horrors” and “The Addams Family”.
In addition, Ms Toner directs all three of the Junior Boys’ Choirs at Park Road, and has a long-standing attachment to Derian House Children’s Hospice, where she provides music sessions and directs the staff choir.
Her students receive a thorough grounding in correct and safe vocal technique, underpinned by her years of classical training, together with a more modern outlook in the context of today’s ever-evolving music industry.
Examination opportunities are offered through ABRSM, Rockschool (RSL), Trinity and LAMDA. Many of her students are actively involved in musical ensembles such as Chamber Choir, Halle Youth Choir and Manchester Musical Youth (MMY). She has coached many students for entry to prestigious performing arts institutions including Laine Theatre Arts, Italia Conti, The Hammond, Emil Dale, and Junior RNCM. She enjoys an extremely high success rate with examinations and auditions and is extremely proud of what her students achieve!
Anyone who is keen to learn is welcome in lessons – all ages, all genres and all levels of ability!
Music is Ms Toner’s passion and her life, and through teaching, she is able to share her love of music with others.
