Meet our Tutors
Learn about music from professional musicians
Matthew Collins
Organ, Piano, Voice (bass-baritone), Violin
Matthew Collins graduated from the University of York with a Masters degree in Vocal Studies, and is an Associate of the Royal College of Organists (ARCO). He has participated in masterclasses with international concert pianists Leslie Howard, Pascal Rogé and Piers Lane and currently studies the organ with Keith Wright.
Matthew was appointed Director of Music at Howden Minster in 2009 and has many oratorio credits as musical director or accompanist. He is also co-owner of York Singing Academy where he has been the principal accompanist since 2006, alongside teaching music theory, assisting with the vocal tuition and playing for students’ exams and performances.
Matthew is a frequent piano and organ recitalist, however it is as a collaborative musician and freelance accompanist for choirs, solo singers and instrumentalists which brings him the most joy.
Matthew was appointed Director of Music at Howden Minster in 2009 and has many oratorio credits as musical director or accompanist. He is also co-owner of York Singing Academy where he has been the principal accompanist since 2006, alongside teaching music theory, assisting with the vocal tuition and playing for students’ exams and performances.
Matthew is a frequent piano and organ recitalist, however it is as a collaborative musician and freelance accompanist for choirs, solo singers and instrumentalists which brings him the most joy.
Matt Duduryn
Bass guitar, Piano
Matt taught his first lesson in 2015 whilst studying his Music degree at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge and has been teaching professionally since 2018.
He has since taught a variety of ages from 7 - 60s, beginner to advanced levels and has taught small groups and master classes. He has also taught students with learning difficulties including ADHD, dyslexia and autism and adapts his lessons to fit every student’s needs. He is an advocate for simplicity and strives to break down complicated subjects to their essential points.
Matt now lives in North East London where he divides up his time between performing around the U.K., teaching and composing.
He has since taught a variety of ages from 7 - 60s, beginner to advanced levels and has taught small groups and master classes. He has also taught students with learning difficulties including ADHD, dyslexia and autism and adapts his lessons to fit every student’s needs. He is an advocate for simplicity and strives to break down complicated subjects to their essential points.
Matt now lives in North East London where he divides up his time between performing around the U.K., teaching and composing.
Matt Smith
Trombone, Bass trombone, Euphonium, Trumpet, Tuba, Piano, Bass guitar, Ukulele
Matt is a freelance trombonist, brass and theory teacher, music arranger and copyist based in London and the Midlands. He graduated from the Royal College of Music, London, in 2017 with a first class degree in Music.
He has a lot of experience in a wide variety of genres, including playing in orchestras, musicals, big bands and function bands, as well as appearing in films and TV as a miming musician, including Rocketman (2019), Christopher Robin (2018) and Call The Midwife (2019).
Matt has been teaching trombone, trumpet, euphonium, piano and music theory to children and adults of all ages and standards since 2016.
In addition to playing and teaching, Matt is also an avid arranger, orchestrator and copyist. He has orchestrated various musical theatre songs for professional orchestras, as well as providing music engraving services for many composers and orchestrators.
Aside from music, Matt enjoys running, cycling and playing backgammon.
He has a lot of experience in a wide variety of genres, including playing in orchestras, musicals, big bands and function bands, as well as appearing in films and TV as a miming musician, including Rocketman (2019), Christopher Robin (2018) and Call The Midwife (2019).
Matt has been teaching trombone, trumpet, euphonium, piano and music theory to children and adults of all ages and standards since 2016.
In addition to playing and teaching, Matt is also an avid arranger, orchestrator and copyist. He has orchestrated various musical theatre songs for professional orchestras, as well as providing music engraving services for many composers and orchestrators.
Aside from music, Matt enjoys running, cycling and playing backgammon.
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Matt Tarling
Violin, Viola, Music tech
"Hi, I'm Matt and I'm really excited to be a tutor at the Starling Music Academy. I have maintained my teaching practice throughout lockdown by moving it online, and it has developed to the point where now I can't imagine not teaching online!
At the age of 10, I won a scholarship to attend The Purcell School of Music, where I received intensive training in musicology. I have worked as a professional violinist and fiddle player since 1994 and taught the violin since 2003. I have a great love for enabling people of all ages and walks of life to become better and more accomplished musicians. Being able to successfully understand and use music theory plays a very important part in this process."
Isla Newhouse
Violin, Piano
Isla started Violin & Piano Lessons at the age of 8 and was was inspired to learn by her Mother (who is a violinist), and her Grandmother (who was a pianist).
She studied Music at Edinburgh Napier University focusing on Violin performance, and in 4th year completed her dissertation based in the piano works of Eric Satie, one of her favourite composers. She graduated in 2016 and taught privately part time until 2020, when she made the move to teaching full time.
Interested in working with us?
As our student pool grows, so will our team.
If you would be interested in becoming a tutor, or perhaps working with us in a creative or administrative role, you can register for job vacancy updates by clicking the link below and completing the form.
We'd love to hear from you!
If you would be interested in becoming a tutor, or perhaps working with us in a creative or administrative role, you can register for job vacancy updates by clicking the link below and completing the form.
We'd love to hear from you!
Starling Music Academy Ltd.
Company No. 13130925
167-169 Great Portland Street, 5th Floor, London, W1W 5PF
Company No. 13130925
167-169 Great Portland Street, 5th Floor, London, W1W 5PF