Meet Our Music Tutors | Inspiring Teachers for Young Musicians in Poole

Alison Kay BEM, GTCL hons, PGdip (GSMD)

violin, viola, music theory & chamber teacher

Alison Kay is the founder and Artistic Director of the Poole Society for Young Musicians, a registered charity established in 2010 to support, inspire and create high-level performance and educational opportunities for young musicians. Through the Society, Alison curates the annual Broadstone Music Series of professional recitals and leads an extensive year-round programme of music education projects, courses, masterclasses and chamber music. This includes an essential platform to emerging young professional ensembles, soloists and the unique chance for young musicians to work alongside them. Central to the Society’s work are collaborative schemes with UK conservatoires, offering young musicians invaluable pathways into advanced study and professional training.

In recognition of her significant contribution to music and music education, Alison was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2025 for services to the Arts.

Alongside her leadership of the Society, Alison maintains an active freelance career as a performer and educator. She is in high demand as a violin, viola and chamber music teacher in Dorset, preparing students for graded examinations, conservatoire entry and professional auditions.

Alison grew up in Swansea and received a broad and enriching musical and performing education before continuing her studies in London. She graduated from Trinity College of Music, London, and completed her viola performance studies at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama under Jack Glickman. Towards the end of her studies, she was appointed Sub-Principal Viola of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, a position she held for twelve years. During this time, she worked with leading orchestras including the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Philharmonia, Stavanger in Norway, alongside a wide range of other freelance ensembles.

Away from her professional commitments, Alison enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters & recent grandchild, walking in the Dorset countryside, cooking, and socialising with friends, often accompanied by chamber music.

Jenny Barrett, LTCL GTCL(Hons) - Violin

Jenny is a Dorset-based violinist performing at weddings, celebrations, corporate events and concerts across the UK and abroad. Classically trained from the age of four, she studied at Trinity College of Music and has since performed with leading UK orchestras, including the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, and appeared at venues such as the Barbican Centre and St Martin-in-the-Fields.

Alongside performing, Jenny teaches, conducts ensembles and leads workshops, with a particular focus on nurturing young musicians in her local community. She enjoys the variety of freelance life, working with chamber groups and incorporating modern and popular music when appropriate.

Away from music, she enjoys campervan adventures with her family, yoga, good food and wine, and cuddling her bearded dragon.

Polly Bartlett, BMus (Hons) MPerf ATCL - Woodwind & piano

Polly Bartlett is principal oboe of the Shumen Symphony Orchestra and Chromatica Orchestra, and is currently on trial for principal oboe with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. A graduate of the Royal College of Music, she holds a Master of Performance with Distinction and performs regularly with leading UK and European orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Outside music, she is a keen football fan and enjoys following Chelsea and England.

David Waller - Percussion

David started his professional playing career as a drummer and percussionist at the age of 19, with "The Best of Musicals", a 60-date tour of theatres through Germany, Austria, Denmark, and Italy. He then worked as a theatre showband and ballroom drummer onboard Celebrity Cruises and Saga Cruises around the world. Since settling back in Poole, David has been a busy freelance musician and percussion teacher, holding teaching positions in the Private and Grammar sectors, such as Bournemouth School for Girls, Bryanston, Parkstone Grammar, Durlston Court, and Talbot Heath to name a few!

His frequent playing work includes musical theatre, professional pantomimes (QDOS, Crossroads, and UK Productions), working with Gareth Gates, Bobby Davro, and Cannon & Ball, function bands, jazz and swing groups, Big Bands, and various UK theatre tours.

Philip Lloyd GGSM(hons), ARCM(hons) - Piano & Horn

Philip is a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and is a musician, educator, performer, composer and conductor. He started his career as a self-employed peripatetic piano and brass teacher and performer but for the past 25 years he has been Director of Music at a range of independent senior schools. Philip is a passionate believer that music plays a vital role in the development of the individual and has spent his whole career enthusing and encouraging his students.

Simon Gilliver - PSYM Assistant Music Director, Flute, Piano Teacher & Symphonic Winds Director

A graduate of the University of Birmingham and Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Simon Gilliver moved to Bournemouth from London in 2020. He enjoys a dual career as a flautist and pianist.

As a pianist, he works primarily as an accompanist, with a wealth of experience playing for exams, diplomas, festivals and choirs, and in recitals has collaborated with an array of international artists.

On the flute, he won the Albert Cooper International Flute competition in 2006, and now does mostly freelance orchestral playing.

Simon has over 20 years teaching experience, and currently teaches both privately from his Bournemouth studio, and in schools. While in London, Simon taught for many years at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

As an accompanist, as well as playing regularly for exams, diplomas, competitions and auditions, Simon has partnered many leading UK artists in recital.

Simon is well known to young musicians locally, as the Assistant Director of Poole Society for Young Musicians and Director of PSYM Symphonic Winds.

Kate Keats GTCL (hons) - Cello

Kate studied the cello at Trinity College of Music, London with Lowri Blake. After graduating Kate spent three years in South Africa working with the Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, Durban Baroque Orchestra and the Tekweni String Quartet.

Kate now plays with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, various chamber ensembles around the South and teaches the cello privately to diploma level. Kate plays a Colin Irving cello.

Robb Tooley - Brass teacher, Jurassic Brass & Symphonic Winds Director

Robb Tooley started playing the trombone aged 11 and was a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, and then the National Youth Orchestra. He studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, and from 1999-2001 he was a member of the European Union Youth Orchestra. With the EUYO he performed with conductors such as Bernard Haitink and Sir Colin Davis all over the continent and at the BBC Proms. In 2001 he was awarded the Guildhall Brass Prize.

He has performed with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, London Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, English National Opera and Philharmonia orchestras in the capital, as well as the BBC Scottish Symphony, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Scottish Opera and Royal Northern Sinfonia around the UK. As a chamber musician he has performed with London Brass and the Endymion Ensemble as well as the English Brass Ensemble. His work has taken him to places as far afield as China, India, Brazil and the USA.

Since 2009 he has been a member of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Robb is in demand as a coach on the UK main national Youth Music courses and so we are fortunate that Robb is director of our brilliant Senior Jurassic Brass ensemble for Young musicians .

Tammy Sullivan - MMus, BMus (Hons), DipABRSM - Woodwind teacher

After graduating from Cardiff University with a Music degree, Tamara was awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Studying under the tuition of Steven Hudson, Lucie Sprague and Patrick Flanaghan, Tamara completed her Masters in Oboe Performance in which she achieved a Distinction and won the Howarth of London Double Reed Prize. Tamara returned to Dorset where she works as a freelance musician, educator and workshop leader. She works with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, helping to deliver music workshops across the South West in education and creative health settings. Tamara teaches in schools across Dorset and Hampshire and continues to perform in various orchestras and groups, including Ensemble 360 with Music in the Round and recording Solo Oboe for BBC’s ‘His Dark Materials’.

Kevin Penfold - Brass teacher & Junior Jurassic Brass Director

Kevin is Director of our junior Jurassic Brass ensemble as well as a brass teacher at our Academy. He was born in Dorchester and started playing the trumpet aged 7 at Damers First School. He went on to study music at the University of Wales, Bangor. Kevin was principal trumpet for the University Orchestra for 4 years and performed the Hummel Trumpet Concerto with the orchestra. His interest in conducting began here and Kevin conducted many different ensembles whilst studying in Bangor. After completing a Bachelor of Music and Diploma in music he returned to Dorset and started teaching. For the last 15 years he has gone from peripatetic brass teacher to Music Area Leader for the Dorset Music Service. Kevin also conducted all of the Music Service’s county ensembles during his time there and initiated a number of groups including the DASP Middle Schools Brass Ensemble. Accompanying pupils on their ‘musical journey’ and seeing the impact music has on their all-round development has always been the source of huge satisfaction for Kevin and he has now returned to the roots of brass teaching so he can enjoy high quality musical training. Kevin plays regularly with a number of different local orchestras. As well as enjoying this, he believes performing enriches the quality of teaching. In his spare time Kevin enjoys long distance running, swimming and spending as much time as he can with his young family.

Polly Phillips - MUS (Hons) PGdip, LRAM - Mezzo Maestros Junior Orchestra Director & Woodwind teacher

Polly studied at the Royal College of Music before completing courses at the University for Performing Arts in Vienna and the Royal Academy of Music. Polly worked as a freelance bassoonist in London and touring as a concert soloist before returning to Dorset with her family to build her teaching portfolio, which includes being a Professor of Bassoon for the Royal Marines School of Music.

Matthew Jones, BMus(Hons) MMus - Violin & Viola

Matt Jones is a versatile musician and educator with extensive experience in performance, education and artistic collaboration. A proficient multi-instrumentalist with a focus on Viola/Violin, he holds Undergraduate and Masters degree’s in Music Performance and performs regularly with orchestras across the UK, including the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. As a dedicated teacher, Matt works with students of all ages and abilities, fostering technical confidence, individuality, and a deep appreciation of music. He is committed to making the arts accessible and creating safe, supportive environments where creativity and emotional expression can flourish.

Board of Trustees and committee:

Music Director - Alison Kay BEM

Chairman - Martin Casey

Treasurer - Nicky Nicholas

Safe Guarding and Risk Assessments - Natalie Covell and Dominic Farrell

Catering - Debra Adam

Helen Tate

Additional Committee -

Assistant Music Director - Simon Gilliver, Broadstone Music Series website - Jackie Richmond, Tammy Sullivan, Jennifer Curiel, Barbara Brown.

We are always keen to recruit more helpers for all of our activities in PSYM and also Broadstone Music Series. Please contact us if you would like to be involved or can offer any specific skill. We require a DBS certificate to enable working with U18.