Meet the Team

Music Lead - Jimmy Rotheram

Seeing children at Feversham flourishing musically, artistically and creatively fills me with joy, but at the same time, I feel sad that children in most other schools are not getting the same opportunities. I want to see musicality treated as a right - like numeracy and literacy - for every child, not the preserve of a fortunate or wealthy few. My Kodály and Dalcroze influenced work has attracted the attention of visitors from as far afield as Canada and New Zealand, as well as media from across the globe. In 2019 I was shortlisted for the Varkey Foundation's Global Teacher Prize. I sit on the advisory boards of the ABRSM, The Department for Education, Benedetti Foundation and Music Teacher magazine. I am the author of the Benedetti Foundation's "Teaching Primary Music" resources (https://www.benedettifoundation.org/primary-music) and my book of the same title, with Andrew Davidson, will be published in 2024 (https://www.waterstones.com/book/bloomsbury-curriculum-basics-teaching-primary-music/jimmy-rotheram/andrew-davidson/9781472942722). I have also co-authored the Cambridge International Schools primary music curriculum. “I wish he was my music teacher” - Adrian Chiles, BBC Radio 5 Live

Instrumental Tutors

Sam Dutton-Taylor - Guitar

Sam has been a professional musician and music teacher for over 12 years, performing around the UK and Europe with such notable highlights as Winning the European Jazz award and playing at Womad; all whilst working as a freelance composer and sound designer. He strives to make lessons fun but with a big focus on tactile skills that students can use to improve their expression with their instrument, rather than simply focussing on repertoire or scales.

Husnain Hanif - Nasheeds/Choral work

Hussnain Hanif is a Nasheed Exponent and a Television & Radio Broadcaster who has performed across the UK and internationally. Nasheed is a westernised form of mid’ha (praise) that originates from the Sufi tradition of Islam and comprises poetic songs of love, harmony and peace. It is a 1,400 year old tradition of individual devotion and cultural expression. As a multilingual, British born artist from a South Asian background Hussnain has had the opportunity to entertain different nationalities and interfaith communities. He presented 'Thursday Night Takeover' on BBC Radio Lancashire and continues to work for different BBC platforms. He co-founded the world's first ever Nasheed Choir and is currently launching The Nasheed Choir in Bradford. He believes that music can integrate us all and bring harmony, tolerance and love to mankind and heal the divisions that keep us apart.

Billy Lockwood - Drums

Billy Lockwoood has been a professional drummer from the age of 14, and he has many years of experience playing and teaching all aspects of drumming from absolute beginners to professionals. His experience ranges from local bands to playing with world class musicians as far afield as New York to Tokyo. Billy believes in child-centred learning. “The student should choose what they want to get from their lessons, and they I try to teach them with that aim in mind”

Kodály Qualified Class Teachers

Several members of our teaching staff have completed a Foundation Certificate with the British Kodály Academy, helping our curriculum to run smoothly across all phases.

Tracey Johnston

My life at Feversham began as an NQT in 2004 until 2015 when I chose to take on a supporting role. I was introduced to Kodaly when our school adopted the approach and have been an advocate ever since. I am privileged to have witnessed first hand the successes Kodaly has enabled children to achieve during their time at Feversham. Music is a great opportunity to nurture cultural awareness and empathy in children beyond their own. I believe that greater understanding and empathy of cultures and beliefs different to our own, results in more well rounded and empathetic citizens. I enjoy teaching music to our children and the enjoyment is mutual. Singing even the most simple rhymes and reciting rhythmic chants exposes children to rich language which is transferred to their oracy and literacy and so achieving greater depth and higher order thinking than they would have without. Personally, I play the piano and alto saxophone but wish that, as a child, I had the opportunity to experience the rich creative and musical curriculum offered here at Feversham.

Sally Grainger

Dance and Drama has always been a big part of my life. I started baby ballet when I was 2 years old and just never looked back. At dance school I was introduced to many dance styles, ballet, jazz, tap and gymnastics. The skills that I developed there were endless and the friends life long.

I attended a Performing Arts secondary in Leeds, where I was introduced to Contemporary Dance and Drama. This really influenced my passion, my future path and my desire to become a teacher.

After completing my degree in Contemporary Arts at Manchester Metropolitan University and my PGCE at De Montfort University, Bedford I began my teaching career in 2000 teaching Dance and Drama in secondary schools across Leeds.

In 2018 I was given the amazing opportunity to work at Feversham Primary Academy, Bradford as a Drama specialist, teaching drama across the school. It was here where I was introduced to the music method of Kodály by our music specialist Jimmy Rotherham.

I had no previous experience of teaching music or singing, but I instantly connected with this method of music teaching. Using the voice and the body to develop musical concepts linked closely to my previous dance training.

I currently teach music at Feversham Primary Academy to a range of year groups. I can really see first hand the benefits and enjoyment our children gain from learning these skills from such a young age. Jimmy is a great mentor and I am thankful that I have been given this opportunity.

Jessica Singleton

I graduated from the University of Carlisle in 2017 where I gained a first class degree in Dance and Musical Theatre. After University, I worked as a Princess and Character performer/dancer at Disneyland Paris before coming back to England to begin my career as a Primary School teacher. I’ve always had a keen interest in music and after being introduced to Kodaly at FPA, I decided to learn more about it by studying the Level 1 course in methodology, musicianship and conducting.