Meet the Staff
Sue Bird
Sue Bird has an incredible reputation for teaching across the global Suzuki community. Her ability to draw out the very best from every student means that she is always in demand to deliver her skills from her home in South Wales to destinations much further afield. Her passion for music and her strive for perfection means that she has recruited some truly outstanding musicians to work alongside her at Gregynog.
Sue Bird has an incredible reputation for teaching across the global Suzuki community. Her ability to draw out the very best from every student means that she is always in demand to deliver her skills from her home in South Wales to destinations much further afield. Her passion for music and her strive for perfection means that she has recruited some truly outstanding musicians to work alongside her at Gregynog.
Caroline Gowers
Caroline has been a Suzuki piano teacher for many years and has a thriving practice in South London. In 1986 she spent three months in Japan, at Dr Suzuki’s Talent Education Institute in Matsumoto. Two years after her return she became a teacher trainer and she has been involved with teacher training, and examining, ever since. Over the years she has taught in workshops in many European and Scandinavian countries and also in North America. She believes passionately in the particular importance of good teaching of the beginning stages.
Caroline has been a Suzuki piano teacher for many years and has a thriving practice in South London. In 1986 she spent three months in Japan, at Dr Suzuki’s Talent Education Institute in Matsumoto. Two years after her return she became a teacher trainer and she has been involved with teacher training, and examining, ever since. Over the years she has taught in workshops in many European and Scandinavian countries and also in North America. She believes passionately in the particular importance of good teaching of the beginning stages.
Jenny Macmillan
We are thrilled to be joined by Jenny on our course once again this year. She brings with her a wealth of experience teaching children in her studio and on workshops Europe-wide, and also training teachers on her popular Cambridge Suzuki Training course. Jenny has written many articles about the Suzuki approach and also a book Successful Practising: A handbook for pupils, parents and music teachers which has become a standard guide for many music teachers, students and Suzuki parents.
We are thrilled to be joined by Jenny on our course once again this year. She brings with her a wealth of experience teaching children in her studio and on workshops Europe-wide, and also training teachers on her popular Cambridge Suzuki Training course. Jenny has written many articles about the Suzuki approach and also a book Successful Practising: A handbook for pupils, parents and music teachers which has become a standard guide for many music teachers, students and Suzuki parents.
Beate Toyka
German born pianist Beate Toyka is a graduate of Cologne Conservatoire and the Royal Academy of Music, where she studied with Hamish Milne. Now living in Derbyshire, Beate is in demand as a performer, accompanist, teacher and adjudicator all over Europe and further afield. She has formed the ‘Derby Piano Quartet’, an ensemble with four pianists on two pianos. It is this expertise that she will bring to this years' workshop as she will be leading our ensemble classes.
German born pianist Beate Toyka is a graduate of Cologne Conservatoire and the Royal Academy of Music, where she studied with Hamish Milne. Now living in Derbyshire, Beate is in demand as a performer, accompanist, teacher and adjudicator all over Europe and further afield. She has formed the ‘Derby Piano Quartet’, an ensemble with four pianists on two pianos. It is this expertise that she will bring to this years' workshop as she will be leading our ensemble classes.
Neil Birse
Aberdeen born Neil Birse is a classically trained jazz pianist currently based in London. He recently graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and is now involved in various projects in London and abroad. He is passionate about performance and education, and has led group workshops in schools and workshops throughout the UK. Neil also loves the outdoors. He is looking forward to sharing his jazz expertise with everyone and returning to Wales in order to be back with us in Gregynog!
Aberdeen born Neil Birse is a classically trained jazz pianist currently based in London. He recently graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and is now involved in various projects in London and abroad. He is passionate about performance and education, and has led group workshops in schools and workshops throughout the UK. Neil also loves the outdoors. He is looking forward to sharing his jazz expertise with everyone and returning to Wales in order to be back with us in Gregynog!