Teachers at Active in Music School based in Middlesex, London, Harrow, Hillingdon. Providing Guitar, Violin and Piano lessons.

Christopher Giles (Principal)

Christopher Giles (Joint Principal) completed his Masters degree in performance studies in London, having worked under the guidance of prominent performers such as Alexander Ivashkin and John Tilbury. He has given many recitals at various venues across the capital and, more recently, the West Midlands. He enjoys performing contemporary music in particular and past performances have included works by Henry Cowell, Toru Takemitsu and Arvo Part. He took first prize at the Blackheath Music Festival, London for his interpretation and performance of 'For Away', by Toru Takemitsu.

Christopher moved to Shrewsbury in 2003 to take up a position as Director of Music at a local school. During his five year tenure he oversaw countless musical projects including collaborations with the Drama department to stage musical productions such as ‘Oliver’ and ‘Oklahoma’ which typically ran for three consecutive evenings.

In 2005, together with his wife Maria Giles, Christopher founded ‘The Shropshire School of Classical Music’, which in due course was to become ‘Active in Music’. The music school has grown steadily over the years, the venue now being in London.

Maria Giles (Principal)

Maria Giles (Joint Principal) studied piano from the age of five and later trained as a pianist and musicologist at the Special Music School for gifted students (Kazan, Russia). In the following years she attended the Moscow State Conservatoire ‘P.I. Tchaikovsky’ where, after obtaining her Masters degree in History and Theory of Music, she studied on a three-year Postgraduate course in Musicology. She has taught solfeggio, theory and harmony in various music schools, accompanied at various ballet establishments and worked as a correspondent and editor at the Moscow classical music radio station ‘Orpheus’. She later received an offer to teach at the Central Special Music School, Moscow, where she successfully worked with many talented pupils from all over the world.

Bianca Lam (Piano)

Bianca is a New Zealand-born pianist, and grew up in Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau, where she first began learning piano at the age of five. She has recently completed her Master of Music at the School of Music at the University of Auckland, under the tutelage of concert pianist Katherine Austin and world-renowned pedagogue Dr. Rae de Lisle. Bianca completed her Advanced Certificate, ATCL and LTCL with Distinction under the guidance of Russian pianist Veronika Shilova. During her study under Shilova’s guidance, Bianca developed a passion for Russian piano music, the works of Russian composers, and the Russian music education system, all of which formed part of her research focus in her masters degree.  Bianca has had success in many piano competitions in her native country, such as the IRMTNZ and NSPAS New Zealand competitions, and has also participated in masterclasses with world class pianists and keyboardists such as Michael Tsalka, Stephen de Pledge, and Michael Houstoun in his Celebrate Bach with Michael Houstoun series. Her solo performance recitals include performances at the Auckland Piano Club and Music in Eden concert series in New Zealand. Bianca has also had success in the chamber music field, and is part of the Mezzona eight-hands piano group, which debuted in the Auckland Chamber Music Society competition in 2019. Having begun teaching at the end of 2015, Bianca enjoys working with a variety of different students — from a very young age, to advanced students looking to excel in their piano performance. She incorporates vital pedagogical concepts such as the importance of aural recognition, scaffolding and intrinsic motivation, within her lessons, taken from her study in music education and pedagogy with pedagogues Dr Graham McPhail and Dr Millie Locke during her education at the University of Auckland. Her lessons also have a strong technical focus built upon the teaching belief of technical foundation being a precursor to freedom of musical expression and freedom at the piano. Bianca’s students have all received great results and achievements from their ABRSM graded exams. Her teaching philosophy is very much oriented around enjoyment at the piano and helping students build a strong and healthy enjoyment of the piano in their music journey.

Ina Petkova (Piano)

Born in Bulgaria, Ina started playing piano at age of 7, taking private piano lessons. At the age of 14, she was accepted into the National Music School "Panayot Pipkov", majoring in piano performance.
After the music school, Ina pursued a teaching degree/career while continuing her education at the St. Cyril and St Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo. In 2007 she graduated with a Bachelor's degree in teaching music and piano.
After university, Ina was a pianist in a chamber ensemble, travelling and performing at different venues and events. From 2009, she came to London where she experienced teaching older beginners and adults.
Shortly after moving to Dubai (where she spend almost 10 years), Ina spent time teaching beginners, intermediate and advanced students with a special focus on younger beginners and their early development of correct technique. For the last two years in Dubai, she joined a well-established and highly rated institute where she had a class of almost 50 pupils.

Ina is very passionate about teaching, and learning from some of the most amazing piano teachers has inspired her to pass on her knowledge, skills and love for music.

Will Glenn (Guitar)

Will has been teaching at Active in Music since 2017, having moved to London to study classical guitar under Carlos Bonell at the Royal College of Music. Prior to moving, Will was a peripatetic guitar teacher at Norwich High School for Girls, as well as teaching private students across Norfolk. Having been a teacher since 2010, Will has had a great deal of experience in teaching both private students and in schools, and has taught from all major music exam boards (ABRSM, Trinity, and LCM) with a 100% pass rate for exam entries. In his lessons, Will’s priority is the student’s enjoyment of the instrument, and he combines this with a style of learning both technique and musicality that will most benefit each individual student.

Will has been performing since the age of 15 and has done so in venues such as Norwich Arts Centre, the Royal College of Music Recital Hall, Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall, and Norwich Maddermarket Theatre. Since making his debut at the Beccles Classical Music Festival, he has significantly expanded his repertoire to include compositions from all musical periods, from 1600 – 2000.

Will is also a keen advocate of chamber music, and much of his work focuses on his own guitar duo with Swedish guitarist Erika Clevejarn, which he formed in 2016. This chamber group explores music written for two guitars and their place in a contemporary musical world.

Bernardo Simões (Piano)

Bernardo Simões has a distinct career from what is expected from a “traditional” composer. He is a multidisciplinary artist and prosecute his artistic outputs over different fields of art. Being a pianist and composer from an early age, he began working in multiple fields of arts back in Rio de Janeiro. Having a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Marketing in ESPM he became a film director and worked at “Mitica Filmes” while at the same time performing Brazilian Popular Music, writing soundtracks, and composing for instrumental chamber music. Before that, Bernardo Simões studied composition with Wladimir Tourinho (professor at Villa-Lobos school of music) and classical piano with Marly Muniz (UFRJ). In this period, composed pieces such as a Brass Quintet performed by musicians of the OSB (Brazilian Symphony Orchestra), “Variations for piano” and a “Sonata Concertante” for Violin and Piano (performed by musicians of “Abstrai Ensemble”). Bernardo then went to the UK and studied for a bachelor’s degree in Composition at the Royal Academy of Music under the guidance of Rubens Askenar for 2 years and before, 2 years with Gary Carpenter, where he was awarded with the “Bache Prize” by RAM in 2019. Interesting to mention additions to his portfolio were a 10-instrument ensemble piece called “Blurred” that has already achieved multiple performances, and 2 orchestral pieces “Pareidolia” and “Into darkness”.

His multidisciplinary approach never ceased and in 2020 he worked with Fabricio Mattos in the 3 “Marés – Journeys into Brazilian Music” films. In this commission by the Brazilian Embassy UK project, Simões film directed, composed (two pieces “Revoada” and “Confluência”), edited, mixed, and conducted. Thanks to the success of the “Marés” films, his partnership with Fabricio Mattos flourished and together they created the New Stages Creations, a company that produces uniquely designed live concerts and filmed “creations” perusing new forms of presenting performing arts. Bernardo Simões’ compositions also never stopped being produced and they have continuously been premiered worldwide such as by the Riot Ensemble, Chroma Ensemble, by soprano Milana Sarukhanyan, the guitarist Mario Kurtjak, by the Tritium Trio among others.

Xuan Li (Piano)

Born in China, Xuan Li's musical odyssey commenced at the age of six when she was introduced to the enchanting world of piano. In 2017, she embarked on her academic pursuit at the Wuhan Conservatory of Music, majoring in Music Education. Xuan Li pursued a Master's degree in Performing Arts Education at the University of West London in 2022. Her academic focus delves into advanced music methodologies such as Orff, Kodály, Suzuki, and Dalcroze, highlighting her dedication to embracing innovative and effective approaches in music education.

Piano serves as Xuan Li's primary instrument, a passion cultivated and polished over years of diligent practice and unwavering commitment. Yet, her musical repertoire extends beyond the ivory keys, encompassing singing, dancing, and guitar playing.

Xuan Li's professional journey is marked by invaluable experiences in primary schools and music institutions, both in China and London. Her role involved delivering tailored one-to-one piano lessons and conducting group music theory sessions for students ranging from six-year-olds to adults. These experiences have not only honed her teaching skills but also allowed her to adapt her methods to suit the diverse needs and aspirations of her students, solidifying her position as a dynamic and influential figure in the realm of music pedagogy.

Vera Yarkova (Piano)

Vera Yarkova was born in Russia. After finishing her studies at the Ural State Conservatoire, she undertook and completed a postgraduate course in Concert Mastership.

For the past 24 years, Vera has been the invited pianist for the Ural Philharmonic Orchestra, touring countries including Belgium, France and the Netherlands and playing in world famous venues. She has also taken part in concert programmes with many great performers such as Boris Berezovsky and Sergei Krylov. Vera has also lead a very active life as an accompanist and in ensemble playing.

Vera has won both Russian and international competitions in chamber music playing and has achieved a Personal Diploma from the Russian Federation Ministry of Culture.

Julia Khamzina (Piano and

group lessons)

Originally from Russia, Julia was educated at the Kazan State University (Music Department) where she studied piano, theory and history of music, singing and choir conducting techniques. She went on to complete a PhD in music education, while giving lectures on the history of music.
Having been teaching her whole life, Julia has almost 20 years’ experience working as a piano and theory tutor in England.  
Julia has an excellent understanding of the requirements of the ABRSM exam board and a creative approach to her music lessons, helping each of her students meet and exceed their goals.

Anna Sazonova (Violin)

Anna’s musical journey started at the age of 6 in Latvia. After graduating from music school, she continued her studies at Daugavpils University, obtaining a Bachelor degree in Music pedagogy and graduating in 2018. Anna also was a member of the ‘Daugavpils Sinfonietta’ orchestra which toured Latvia and Belarus in 2016 and 2017.

Anna continued performing in concertos throughout her studies and is a keen violin player as well as tutor.

Minako Oka (Piano)

Minako Oka was born in Japan, where she graduated from the Toho Gakuen College, Tokyo, with first class honours and has given solo recitals in her home country.

She came to London to continue her Postgraduate studies with Nina Sereda at Trinity College of Music where she was awarded a scholarship and won first prize in the Leonard Smith Duo Competition. She has since pursued her studies on chamber music and piano accompaniment as well as piano solo and has completed her Master’s degree at Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Eugene Asti.

Minako has participated in numerous projects and masterclasses by internationally acclaimed musicians. She has appeared in the Russian Music International Series at Goldsmiths University, at St Martin in the Fields, at Kings Place, at the National Portrait Gallery and in lunchtime recitals at Royal Opera House, among others.

Minako is a dedicated tutor and enjoys sharing musical ideas and imagination with her pupils. Her instruction helps pupils acquire a tension-free piano playing which allows them to develop their hearing, technique and expressiveness harmoniously and efficiently. 

Sacha Bistany (Guitar)

Sacha Bistany is an Irish classical and jazz guitarist based in London. He is a graduate of the Royal College of Music (RCM), in which he received a Bachelors in Performance with First Class Honours. Sacha currently teaches and performs a wide variety of music in various concert settings throughout the city. Upon first picking up a guitar at age seven, Sacha studied at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in his youth under Marion Hyland and Peter Katona, receiving five scholarships throughout his time there. Sacha has had the opportunity to play with a number of Irish guitar ensembles including the ‘GuitaRIAM’ ensemble and the Irish National Youth Guitar Orchestra, conducted by David Brophy. He has also competed in many music competitions including Ireland’s national competition, The ‘Feis Ceol’– winning was a great achievement. At RCM, he studied under professors Gary Ryan and Christopher Stell. During recent years, Sacha has participated in a number of masterclasses with well-renowned guitarists including Xuefei Yang, Laura Snowden, Carlos Bonell, Tariq Harb, Sean Shibe, Gabriel Bianco, Dale Cavanagh and the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet– all of which have helped broaden his scope as a player. He recently received the Homan Potterton Bursary for String Instruments from Irish Heritage, a charity that supports Irish artists. The final audition culminated in a performance at the Wigmore Hall. Sacha has been teaching guitar students of all ages for the past five years on a freelance basis. He values inspiring fun and curiosity and a strong sense of discipline within his students, and always strives to create a safe space for them to be creative, free of judgment. He has retained most of his students throughout the years, many of whom have achieved great success in their music exams. Aside from classical music, Sacha has a great love for all things, jazz, funk and pop. He frequently collaborates with the RCM Big Band led by Mark Armstrong and a number of jazz and function band groups, playing electric guitar and electric bass.

Maria Celeste Retter (Piano)

María Celeste Retter is a passionate piano teacher with over 14 years of experience in music education, specializing in the training of children and adolescents. She graduated as a Music Teacher with a specialization in Piano from the Conservatory Provincial de Santa Cruz in Río Gallegos, Argentina, where she also obtained her Technical High School Diploma in Music. Additionally, she pursued studies in Music Composition at the Universidad Nacional de las Artes and other studies in Sound and Recording music from TAMABA, Tertiary Institute in Buenos Aires.

Throughout her career, María has worked at the Conservatory Provincial de Santa Cruz and has provided piano lessons independently, both in-person and online, which has allowed her to teach students from various parts of the world in both English and Spanish. She currently resides in the United Kingdom, where she serves as a Spanish and music teacher for preschool children at Bilingual Beats. Maria joined the team at Active in Music in September 2024.

María also specializes in teaching preschool-aged children, creating a fun and accessible learning environment. Her inclusive approach has enabled her to connect with students ranging from 3 years old to adults aged 70, adapting her classes to meet the needs and abilities of each student.

With a strong educational background and a continuous dedication to teaching, María Celeste Retter continues to inspire her students to explore the wonderful world of music.

Lucas O'Callaghan (Piano)

Irish/Georgian pianist Lucas Kinkladze O'Callaghan recently graduated from the TU Dublin Bachelor of Music performance degree with First Class Honours. He grew up in a musical home with both his mother and grandmother being professional pianists and began to play the piano at four years old under the guidance of his mother. Upon entering the TU Dublin Conservatory, he began studying with Pádhraic Ó Chuinneagáin and has during this time participated in masterclasses with several world renowned artists such as Barry Douglas, Eteri Andjaparidze, and John O'Connor, among others. Lucas has performed in both Dublin and Tbilisi, has had success at multiple music competitions in Ireland receiving first place prizes on numerous occasions, and was selected to record the solo piano music for the TU Dublin advertisement which was aired January 2020 across Irish national television stations. He has just recently moved to London and now studies privately with pianist Sam Armstrong. Lucas also has a very keen interest in jazz and improvised music as well as composition, having composed music for numerous short films and for a recent multimedia photography exhibition at ‘Safehouse’ in Peckham. Lucas began teaching piano at 16 years old in his mother's music school. Since then he has developed a deep passion for music pedagogy with an ever evolving approach to teaching. Lucas's students have consistently achieved very high marks in their Royal Irish Academy of Music exams with some even going on to study music education at University.