Piano

Pat Babbington teaches bassoon and piano at Bedford Modern School. She studied both instruments at the Royal Northern College of Music for four years followed by a one-year teacher training course at Bulmershe College. Her teaching background has been a mix of instrumental and academic and she is experienced in teaching across all age ranges at primary and secondary levels. She has been a Head of Class Music at Woodside Middle School, Bedford, a class music teacher at Goldington Middle School and has been a piano and bassoon teacher for Bedford Education Authority and Bedford Borough. Pat taught Bassoon at Bedford High School, Dame Alice, Bedford Sixth Form college and Bedford School. She is also a bassoonist in Bedford Symphony Orchestra and Bedford Sinfonia.

Harry Baker is an award-winning British pianist and arranger active at the highest levels of both jazz and classical music. Collaborations with artists including Fatma Said, Jamie Cullum and Sheku Kanneh-Mason have led to performances at Wigmore Hall, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club and the Konzerthaus Berlin. Harry has arranged extensively for Decca Records, ABRSM and the BBC Proms, and for ensembles including Aurora Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia and National Youth Choirs. Alongside his BMS work, Harry is a Tutor of Jazz at Oxford University, and he holds first class honours degrees from both Oxford University and the Royal Academy of Music.

Discover more: Harry Baker

Kelly-Jane Baldwin has extensive experience of teaching piano and cello at schools throughout London and Southern England and has been a visiting music teacher at Bedford Modern School for 18 years. She studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London, taking the Performer’s Course in both piano and cello.

Since then, Kelly-Jane has enjoyed a highly successful musical career, working extensively throughout the UK and Europe, including BBC recordings for both TV and radio.  She has performed with celebrities including Cliff Richard and Boy George, both live and on ‘Top of the Pops’, as well as alongside famous conductors such as Sir Simon Rattle and Nicholas Cleobury.

Adrian Boynton received his advanced music training at the University of Reading where he gained an honours degree and won prizes in organ playing and piano accompaniment. Postgraduate research took him to Nottingham University where he was awarded the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Diploma, the highest award in Church music. Through the 1980s he was Director of Music at Dover Grammar School and at Roedean School. During this period he conducted a large number of choral, orchestral and operatic productions. Since 1992 he has been Director of Music at the City Church of Christ the Cornerstone where he has established a fine musical tradition. The international concert series which he organises has become a significant and valued feature of the local community.

Adrian is in demand as a teacher, adjudicator and examiner and he is well-known for his work as a speaker. He lectures regularly to groups in Buckinghamshire and further afield. For several years he gave pre-concert talks to audiences of Milton Keynes City Orchestra.  His regular Wednesday afternoon talks for U3A attract strong support. Adrian directs the New English Singers who have broadcast live on BBC Radio 4, taken part in the Bach 250th Anniversary celebrations in Leipzig, Dresden and Berlin and collaborated with The Clerks group in their inspirational project ‘The Hours’. Adrian performs regularly as recitalist and accompanist. He has been a visiting music teacher at Bedford Modern School since January 2003.

Nikk Hope, a piano teacher at BMS, was born in Manchester and raised in Bedfordshire, and began his musical journey in his early teens. After studying music at the University of East Anglia, Nikk started a career that blends teaching, composing, and creativity. With more than 10 years of experience, Nikk has taught students of all ages, from beginners to advanced players, helping them unlock their full musical potential and build lasting skills.

Known for his patient and personalised approach, Nikk focuses on developing a strong foundation in technique and musical understanding, while encouraging creativity and self-expression. Many of his students have gone on to pursue music, thanks to his mentorship and guidance.

In addition to teaching, Nikk also works as a composer, writing music for TV shows, including projects for the BBC and ITV. His compositions add depth and emotion to a wide range of productions. As a composer for Sony Music, Nikk combines his passion for music with his teaching experience, continuously evolving his craft while staying connected to the world of education and creativity.

Outside of work, Nikk enjoys exploring new genres, collaborating with other musicians, and continuing to learn and grow both as a teacher and an artist.

Kate Leigh began studying the cello and piano at the age of seven, and at the age of ten received a scholarship to study both instruments at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama Junior Department, where she was awarded the String Prize in her final year. She went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music under Paul Watkins and Josephine Knight and graduated in 2004 with a first class honours degree.

Kate has enjoyed a varied career as a session, chamber and orchestral musician, performing in many prestigious venues including The Royal Albert Hall, Purcell Room, Royal Festival Hall, National Theatre, Kings Place, Wembley Arena and the London Coliseum. She loves jazz and pop music and has performed on the Parkinson Show, Top of the Pops and the X Factor, and has toured with Sir Elton John. She also works as a session musician and has performed on film soundtracks and commercial recordings.

Kate has previously been a tutor on the Bedfordshire Youth Orchestra, Youth Second Orchestra and Chamber music courses. As well as her work at Bedford Modern School, she also currently teaches for the Bedfordshire Music co-operative, and is the cello coach at the Centre for Young Musicians (CYM) in London.