Instrument: Improvisation

Ben Parker is a composer, pianist, and practitioner based in West Yorkshire. His music has been performed by The BBC Singers, The Kreutzer Quartet, The Manchester Camerata, The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Piccadilly Symphony Orchestra, Trio aTem, SizeZero Opera Company, The Manon Quartet and many more, at events such as the New Music North West Festival, BBC Radio 3’s ‘Afternoon on 3’ series, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, Manchester Pride’s Music Concert Series, DECONTAMINATION# concert series, Emirates Airline Festival Of Literature, and others across the UK and abroad.

Ben was the Arnold Cooke Scholar at the Royal Northern College of Music under the tutelage of Dr. Emily Howard where he graduated with a first class honours degree in Composition. Since his studies, Ben’s creative practice considers spacial art forms, linguistics, critical theory, pop culture, and mental health as paramount to the development of his current works.

As an educator, Ben is passionate about working with a wide range of people through community engagement projects, as well as working with a variety of high schools, sixth form colleges, and specialist music academies as a music assistant, and composition specialist. His teaching approach is person-centred, adaptive towards a Student’s long-term goals, and learning styles most natural to them. He regards the importance of a Student’s mental health, confidence, self-worth, and zealous attitude towards their artistic discipline, as highly as he does their technical progression, performance development, and academic advancement.

Gary McKill is an award-winning composer-producer of many genres including all contemporary electric/electronic Pop and Rock forms through to orchestral. His original work has appeared on countless recordings and broadcasts for leading industry names in the UK and across the world; BBC, Sony Music, Sony Playstation, Channel 4, Hammer Films etc.

Teaching includes tutoring and guest lecturing up to university level with specialities in compositional practice (from Classical to Pop-Rock and for cinema), broadcast quality music production and electric guitar. His non-hierarchical approach refers to all music forms with the aim that theory, practice and technology are used for individual development and expression.

Gary was awarded an MA (distinction) from Leeds College of Music.

John is a graduate of Surrey University where he studied piano with Peter Croser and since then has worked solely in music. He has been involved in music education for thirty years and has considerable experience as both a classroom and instrumental teacher. He has worked as a peripatetic piano teacher for Hull Music Service, held the position of keyboard and musicianship tutor with East Riding College and taught Music Tech A level at Wyke College. His current work includes piano tutor at Pocklington School and A level examining for Edexcel.

Throughout this time John has enjoyed a busy performing schedule as a freelance pianist / synthesiser player, and has an artist management contract with The Animal Farm Music (London) for his original compositions.

John also maintains a private studio, teaching classical and jazz piano plus music theory and music technology / recording. He was recently awarded a diploma in piano performance.

Jo studied at the RNCM in Manchester and since graduating has worked as a performer, arranger and teacher.  She has directed and performed in her own ensemble projects and has managed Arts Council funded projects for artists including Mike Walker, Tria Lingvo and NYJOS.  She has commissioned numerous composers to write ensemble music for young musicians and she currently directs and arranges for the Cheshire Youth Music for Life Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Band.  She has been a trustee of the Manchester Jazz Festival since 2017.

Outside of music, Jo has been a volunteer for the NSPCC and Childline since 2008.