About Us

MusicLand Oxford is an exciting Saturday Music Centre. We take a holistic approach to teaching the elements of rhythm and pitch through play, creative games and fun activities. Our group classes are suitable for children from the age of two, and instrumental learning is available from age five. Book a free trial at one of our group sessions to find out more about the MusicLand way of learning!

Risinghurst Community Centre OX3 8HA

          email: musiclandoxford@gmail.com

Group Classes:

Junior Violin Ensemble 9:25-9:55am

Scutterbugs 10:00-10:30am

Choir 10:40-11:10am

Orchestra 11:25am-12:05pm

Meet your teachers

Abbie Adiri –   Junior Orchestra, Violin lessons

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Scutterbugs class

Starting in 1984 I was one of the first pupils to go through the Musicland system, learning the violin under Caroline Lumsden’s tuition. This thorough understanding of the system from the inside, has formed my musical career as an orchestral, and chamber music performer, and as a string teacher.

Having experienced the advantages this system brings to sight reading skills, and musicianship, I have been passionate about passing on my joy in music making to children. After studying music at King’s College London, and experiencing freelance orchestral playing throughout London, and much further afield, I decided to focus my attention on string, and chamber music tuition, where my true passion lies.

I have taught in the Berkshire, Bath and Gloucester County music systems, and also in the private sector at Maltman’s Green prep school, The Latymer School, The King’s School, Gloucester and at Cokethorpe School in Witney. Alongside this I found my way back to Musicland’s base by teaching violin at the Gloucester Academy of Music (GAM), and tutoring on their Easter and Summer school courses.

Now living in Oxford with my husband and two boys, I am keen to start Musicland off in a new area, and share what our approach has to offer to the children in Oxford.

Gemma Fowkes – Scutterbugs, Singing & Rhythm

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Growing up, I studied singing, trumpet and piano with the Berkshire Young Maestros service. I later went on to study music at King’s College, London and as a Postgraduate at Southampton University. After leading several vocal groups throughout university, I continued to teach piano and toddler music groups around London while working as a classical music agent and as competitions and chamber music co-ordinator at the Royal Academy of Music.

Having recently moved to Oxfordshire I am now a primary school teacher and am absolutely delighted to be working alongside Abbie at Musicland. Using this system is incredibly exciting for me as I witness its superior musical results.

Angelica Galea Young- Cello/Keyboard/Piano

I was awarded a scholarship to the junior department of the Royal College of Music and after completing my educational studies I was awarded an exhibition to the Royal College of Music where I studied with Cello with Christopher Bunting and Piano with Peter Wallfisch.

I have been lucky enough to have played with many worldwide soloists including cello ensembles with Mistlav Rostropovitch and Julian Lloyd Webber as well as performing with worldwide conductors and have freelanced orchestrally all over the world.

In 1998 I moved to Malta and became a member of the Malta Philharmonic and also specialised in Baroque Cello.

September 2012 I changed direction and moved back to the UK with my family took up a new position in the UK as Orchestrator/Copyist working with Contemporary Music Media Productions. I also teach at Cokethorpe School and St Clare’s Oxford as well as running Oxford Music Practice for Cello and Piano.

Teaching at Musicland is without a doubt a passion of mine. The design and structure is perfect for children to learn and build their skills in music in a fun and friendly environment.


Cara Scoles – Violin, Viola, Theory

Originally from Australia, I studied at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Performance. I have also achieved my Amus A (Associate Diploma of Music, Australia) on the violin. As well as performing as part of the Conservatorium Symphony, Chamber and Opera Orchestras, I have performed with the Queensland Pops Orchestra, Opera Australia and since moving to the UK in 2008 Queens Gate Consort, Orchestra Vitae and the Oxford Proms Orchestra to name a few.

I have been teaching the violin since 2006, both in Australia and the UK. I have taught privately and in schools, often putting students through for examinations. Since moving to Oxford in 2013 I have taught in many schools across Oxford whilst working for the Oxfordshire Music Service. This involved individual, small group and whole class teaching across a diverse range of abilities from beginners to diploma level.

Since becoming a mum to two boys I have been teaching from home and most recently have completed the ESTA Post Graduate Certificate in String Teaching through Chichester University in 2021.

Paul Morris – Guitar, Ukulele, Mandolin, Bass guitar

I have 30 years’ experience of playing guitar in various blues and rock bands predominantly in London and the south east, performing in a wide variety of festivals, clubs and pubs. I have greatly enjoyed leading music groups with adults as part of my job as a mental health worker, and have seen first-hand how therapeutic music can be. More recently I have been leading a ‘rock club’ at my children’s school, which has been alot of fun.

Having seen my two daughters thrive under the Musicland system, I am extremely familiar with and supportive of the Musicland system of teaching and am very honoured to be joining the team! My style of teaching will be focusing on learning the guitar for fun rather than grades, but I will be incorporating the Musicland system of using rhythm names and solfege. I tend to teach my students via their favourite songs and pieces of music, which has ranged from Katie Melua to AC/DC! I am happy to teach chords, strumming, tab, sight reading and soloing for a variety of different styles, ranging from pop and folk to rock and blues. I can teach electric or acoustic guitar or bass.

Besides guitar, I also play piano, ukulele, mandolin, harmonica and lap steel guitar and used to be a church organist :o)

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Jo Chew – Violin

Enculturation and socialisation make a huge impact on children’s musical development; therefore I am delighted to be part of Musicland’s musically nurturing environment. I have been playing violin for 24 years and teaching for 12 years. Before moving to Abingdon, I taught at Gloucestershire Academy of Music for 7 years with Caroline Lumsden learning her wonderful Musicland system and delivering this with her to ensembles, individual pupils and in over 20 schools.

I have performed in many iconic venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and the Royal Festival Hall. I graduated with a degree in music from Bath Spa University and led the orchestra there. I have a passion for teaching and find great reward in helping others reach their full potential.

Passionate about the highest standard of teaching, I regularly undergo professional development. I recently graduated from a Masters in instrumental teaching from Birmingham City University. I have experience teaching pupils with a range of specific learning needs including: ADHD, global delay, dyslexia, hyper mobility, dyspraxia, sensory processing and autism. It is a privilege to teach and nurture young talented musicians to play the violin to a standard that they can be very proud of, from beginners as young as 4 right up to post grade 8 diploma level.

Testimonies:

“Amazing!”   Mary, Summertown.

“I can’t thank you enough for nurturing his enthusiasm for music and the excellent tuition.  So much better than I had at his age! He loves it and looks forward to it every week, and his sense of pitch and rhythm is coming along nicely.” Emma, Headington

“By far the best baby music class I have experienced.”  Sarah, Witney

“Wonderful interaction, very welcoming, warm atmosphere” Michelle.

“Really lovely-Ed had a great time” Peter, Wheatley.

“Outstanding! She loved it!” Julia, North Oxford.