Devon Music Education Conference 2025

Join us for the Devon Music Education Conference 2025 at Buckfast Abbey Conference Centre. Expect stimulating discussion and interactive workshops aimed at early years, primary, secondary and instrumental music teachers.

Keynote speakers

Workshop sessions

Conference programme

Training objectives

  • Engage in stimulating discussions around the latest developments in music education
  • Attend practical workshops with ideas and activities you can implement
  • Connect with Hub colleagues and organisations who can support music and creativity in your school

What to expect…

  • Stimulating discussions around the latest developments in music education
  • Practical workshops with ideas and activities to take away and implement
  • Opportunities to connect and share with colleagues from across the region

Exhibitors to include Music Teachers Association, ABRSM, Charanga, Schools Printed Music Licence, Cameron Mills Group, Inspire-Works and Rock Steady Music School.

BOOK NOW! £95 including lunch and refreshments

Ofsted Update on Music in Schools

Join Ofsted’s Christopher Stevens, HMI National Lead for Music as he returns to speak with Music Mark, this time reflecting on Ofsted’s Subject Report in Music and ‘teaching the curriculum’. During this session Christopher will give a presentation, followed by time for your questions to be answered.

Online Teach Meet: New Music Subject Leads

This FREE informal Online Teach Meet is aimed at providing an overview of the Hub offer for colleagues that have recently taken on Music Subject Lead responsibility for a school. Come along to meet the Hub team and find out more about funding, training, resources, performance opportunities and much, much more.

Devon County Youth Brass Band & The Flowers Band Open Day

As of September 2024, Devon County Youth Brass Band is under new leadership. Chris Spreadbury and Matt Hawkins are delighted to be taking over the baton from Pete Jones, after 20 years of incredible service.

Devon has a rich heritage in brass banding, and we firmly believe we should have a thriving county band to match. Devon County Youth Brass Band’s  first gathering day of the year is going to be an absolute cracker, and one that no young brass player in Devon will want to miss! 

​We are kicking off the year with a bang, and have organised a workshop provided by players from the South West’s premier brass band, The Flowers Band. The attending brass students will receive expert tuition from some of the area’s best brass musicians, culminating in a performance for family and friends at the end of the day. The workshop will start at 10am, and finish at 4pm, with a performance for parents/carers/family/friends at 3:30pm. The venue is King Edward VI Community College, TQ9 5JX. 

Current members of DCYBB can also attend the Open Day for free. Following the workshop, we will contact all attendees with information on how to sign up to the band for the academic year 2024-25. 

We hope you will join us for this exciting new chapter for DCYBB! 

Justin Fellows

DRUM TEACHER AND DRUM WORKSHOP FACILITATOR

Over 20 years professional experience as a teacher and facilitator in a wide range of settings including: primary and secondary education, community groups, corporate teambuilding, SEND schools, arts in health, private events and festivals.

In one to one lessons my aim is to engender a sense of fun around learning and playing the drums. I am always keen to teach technique and reading but only if appropriate to the student and only to the level of their comprehension.

I always encourage students to think about what music they want to learn and then work with them on their own choices, as well as having a vast repertoire of popular songs to draw on. When leading drumming workshops I encourage students to have fun whilst introducing basic concepts around technique and rhythm.

I also encourage students to create their own rhythms and use vocalisation and games to help create a relaxed learning environment in order to achieve the highest potential of the group.

All my teaching is informed by a long career performing with a multitude of bands as well as studying with various master drummers, including a professional development course at ACM, Guildford. I have also engaged in self-motivated learning from a variety of resources and have a passionate interest in a wide range of musical styles.

C.V.

Upon graduating with distinction from the Academy of Contemporary Music in 2001, I began my career as a peripatetic drum-kit tutor at 3 schools in the Medway area.

After moving to London in 2003, I began working as a workshop facilitator delivering African drumming sessions in Primary and Secondary schools around the country. Up until 2010 this was my main professional occupation and I worked freelance and for a number of providers including: Education Group, Wise Moves Dance, Kaya Drums and Drum Jam.

Upon moving to Bristol I worked with BANEs music service as a workshop facilitator and drum-kit tutor from March 2011 until July 2021. During this period, I also taught as a freelancer at Norton Hill School. Between January 2018 and July 2022 I taught one to one and delivered workshops for Rhythm Instinct at schools in Wiltshire.

Since moving to Devon in 2021, I have continued to facilitate drumming workshops at On The Hill CIC as well as teaching drum-kit to a few students locally plus a series of evening classes in Totnes. Since February 2024 I have been delivering one to one drum kit lessons for Devon Drum School at primary schools in Okehampton and Teignmouth.

Robin Alexander

I am a 26 year old drummer from the Newton Abbot area of Devon. I started playing drums in 2007 and had lessons with Colin Bellworthy from grade 1 all the way to my ATCL in 2015. Since 2012 I started gigging and since then have played hundreds of weddings, festivals, party’s and pubs all across the country and also overseas. I completed my BA in Music (Technology) from the University of Plymouth and I completed a Masters in Music Performance from the University of West London. I have been teaching for a few years, both individually and also in small groups. I have taught a range of ages from year 1 all the way to adults.

Specific schools and organisations I have taught at are Ivybridge Community College, South Dartmoor Community College, Wembury Primary, the Rock Project Torbay and various private lessons.

Joe Lannon

I have been playing guitar for many years and have been a professional guitar teacher and tutor since 2006.

I am a qualified secondary school teacher with a PGCE and also am a Licentiate of the London College of Music – LLCM(TD). I have worked as a peripatetic in Northumberland and Torbay and also as an examiner for guitar for LCM/RGT grades and guitar diplomas.

I can teach all levels from beginners to advanced including RGT/LCM grades up to diploma. I teach acoustic, electric and bass guitar and also Ukulele. I can help you to obtain the desired level of playing to obtain a place in a music college/university. My specialism is improvisation and understanding how theory aids better playing.

I am a member of Sound Sense, the UK professional Association for Community Music and a member of the Registry of Guitar Tutors.

Rosie Davies

Rosie Davies (BMus, DipABRSM, LRSM) was raised in a very musical environment, her father was a professional violinist and her mum was a violin teacher and owned a music shop. Music was part of everything. Rosie went on to join the Royal Marines Band Service and studied with Portsmouth University earning a degree in Music. She did a lot of travelling and performing with the Marines until the birth of her first child and has since shared her passion for music with others. 
Rosie is a keen singer, as well as being trained in piano, strings and woodwind. She is keen to inspire young people to enjoy making music and have fun performing.

Svaja Radvila

I am a professional music teacher and performer working with children of all ages and abilities in one to one, small groups or whole class setting. I have 12 years of experience working in primary and secondary school

NYO Side by Side

Devon Music Education Hub are delighted to be collaborating with the National Youth Orchestra to offer young musicians in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay this exciting opportunity to play side by side with NYO and NYO Inspire musicians.

Join us from 3.30-5.30pm on Friday 12 July 2024 at St Peter’s Church Aided School, Exeter EX2 5AP with a sharing for parents/carers from 5pm. This event is open to 11-18 year olds that play an orchestral instrument (including saxophone) to a Grade 4 level of ability or higher and is being offered free of charge.

Some lucky young musicians participating in this event will be nominated to join NYO and NYO Inspire musicians from around the UK on their summer residency, which includes a prestigious televised performance as part of the BBC Proms.

Devon Music Education Hub would like to acknowledge the generous support of St Peter’s Church Aided School for hosting this event.