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After starting music lessons at the age of 10 , Leigh won both the junior and senior
sections of " Young organist of the year 1984 " aged just 16 . The prize was a radio
contract to perform live on radio WM and lead to her travelling the country performing
as a concert artiste whilst also teaching both privately and at Dorridge Music centre
(Later to become Dorridge music school ) . After being given the opportunity to
take over the running of DMS , Leigh has taken the school from where it was then
(with 20 organ students ) to where it is now , in its 25th year with over 500 pupils
per week teaching a wide range of musical instruments.
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A Graduate of the Northern school of music in Manchester , Jean is an experienced
teacher who has been both Head of music and co-ordinator of the Expressive arts
faculty at Light Hall School in Shirley until joining Dorridge music school in January
2010. Jean teaches piano, keyboard and music theory as well as the Crotchet Club
(childrens music course ). Her former students include soloists who have successful
careers in the professional concert circuit and in commercial recording.
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Kirsty is an experienced performer and teacher , having had a leading role in the
long running musical Les Miserables in the West End , London. She starred as Cosette
in the production ( which recently celebrated 25 years ) coinsidentaly DMS is also
in its 25th year. Even after joining DMS , Kirsty continued studying at Coventry
University where she recently graduated with a 2:1 . Now Head of department and
also going into the local state schools as a representative of DMS Kirsty also teaches
keyboard and the childrens Crotchet Club Course.
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Andrew studied at the Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff ,graduating in
July 2002. He joined Dorridge music school in April 2003 as a teacher of piano,
keyboard and music theory. This coincided with a period of further study at the
Birmingham Conservatoire which he completed in July 2005. Since then Andrew has
continued to work at DMS , and in 2009 was appointed Head of the Piano Department.
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Sophie is in her final year studying flute at the Birmingham Conservatoire. She
began playing the flute aged 7 and worked her way through the Birmingham music service
orchestras until she gained a place at the conservatoire in 2007. She now hopes
to pursue a career in performance and tutoring.Sophie has taught flute for DMS for
the last 4 years.
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Our receptionists (from left to right)
Hannah White - Hannah has been a pupil at DMS for many years. She has learned electronic
organ reaching grade 7 aswell as being a grade 8 pianist.
Sylvia Hughes - joined the school around 10 yrs ago in an adult keyboard group.
Sylvia plays for pleasure but has progressed onto organ and is a pupil of Leighs
.
Emma Lowe- Emma plays piano with Peter as her teacher and is studying her grade
6 currently.
Laura Gardiner.- Laura started at DMS as a youngster and is now part of the " Elite
" show group who performed at the Symphony hall for DMS s anniversary concert in
March 2010. Laura is about to take grade 8 organ whilst studying music technology
at Stratford college.
All of our receptionists are students at DMS and know how the school operates very
well.
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