Alumni
Some of our former pupils have gone on to great things.
You can now join Newham Music Trust as an Alumni Member through our new memberhip scheme, offering benefits such as discounted entry to Academy concerts and performance opportunities. Please go to the 'Support Us' page for more information.
Find out more about some of our alumni, the time they spent learning with us and what they are doing now.
Are you a former student? If so, we'd love to hear from you. Why not drop us an email to let us know what you're up to now?
Rob May
Without the Newham Academy I wouldn’t be making a living from music, now. Growing up in Newham, the Academy not only gave me the chance to learn an instrument, but it helped channel and nurture my passion for music. In the early 1980’s I remember taking part in ‘Newham Goes to Town’, a fantastic venture that saw young musicians from across the borough perform at The Royal Albert Hall; to be inspired and encouraged to ‘aim high’ at such a young age, had a profound effect on me, as I’m sure it did on countless others, whether they pursued music as a career, or not. The Newham Academy is a real beacon in the borough, and something we can all be proud of. I look forward to enjoying the work of the new generation of music makers, who are learning and honing their craft under the brilliant guidance of the Academy staff.
Rob May - June 2011
07958 372021 rob@sittingduckmusicandmedia.com
Chris Augustine
I started learning the recorder, piano and trombone with the Newham Academy of Music when I was 7, 9 and 14 years old with Sharon Beaver, Judith Goodman and John Sibley and loved being involved in all the different ensembles that the Academy had to offer. I was choirmaster at my local church for six years and I have had a long association with the Newham Academy of Music. I started playing in the Academy's Youth Orchestra, Brass Band and Symphonic Band as a teenager and I carried on learning because I had a deep passion for music and it was something I thought I was good at. All of the teachers mentioned and not mentioned inspired me to continue playing and I was always given opportunities to perform and develop. I am now teaching piano and recorder for the Newham Academy of Music, conducting the Symphonic Wind Band, Academy Singers and Academy Choir - I was recently was so honoured to lead and conduct the Academy Singers on their tour to Gent, Brugge and Leuven, and it's so rewarding for me to pass on my skills, which I learnt as a student at the Academy, on to the current students. Over the last five years I have worked as a helper at the St. John Bosco Holiday Camp where children from less privileged families can attend the camp for a week and have fun by playing games, sports and putting on shows. I am now studying for a Masters in Music with a monetary award granted by The Leverhulme Trust at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and in the future I am hoping to be a professional trombonist.
Alice Pragnell
I started learning the violin with the Newham Academy of Music when I was six, with teacher Amanda Warren. There are lots of things I’ve loved about learning an instrument and I think the really amazing thing is that each time you practise, you see (well, hear, really) yourself get a little better. It’s a great feeling to be playing a piece of music one day and suddenly remember that initially, you thought that particular piece was impossible! The teaching at the Academy is brilliant and I feel I’ve been really lucky in that respect. You learn so much and the thing is, there’s always more to learn; for me, my teacher has been a real inspiration. I enjoyed playing the violin at the Academy so much that I also took up piano and singing; I now have grade 5 in both, as well as grade 8 violin and grade 5 theory. Since leaving college, I’m now actually working for the Academy as a wider opportunities assistant, teaching the violin in schools. The Academy have been really supportive in that way and I feel really lucky to be involved with them. After my gap year I’m going to study Classical Archaeology at Reading University and I’m definitely planning on joining the orchestra there!
Adrian Aylmer
I started learning the cello in year 4, when I was 8 years old, with longstanding tutor Nick Allen. He remained as my teacher right up until I left, at age 18, which I find quite remarkable to think about. The Newham Academy of Music has had a huge influence on me, to the extent that I cannot imagine my life without it - from the numerous ensembles and orchestras I have been a part of, and the opportunity to work with institutions such as the RPO and LSO, to the fantastic staff, students and volunteers who keep everything running."
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