About

Teacher with student musicians

We are looking for players for our trumpet and flute ensembles at Grade 5 and above standard – please contact us for details!

SCYM and our Tutors

 Saffron Centre for Young Musicians was established in 2015 and provides emerging musicians aged 4-18 in the East of England with a unique opportunity to play in an ensemble, participate in workshops and have individual tuition for instruments including woodwind, brass, strings, piano, guitars, percussion as well as singing. In addition to these practical lessons, students may opt for more academic subjects; composition, musical history, theory and aural perception.

SCYM offers an enriching and focussed musical education from primary education right through to year 13. We are committed to offering excellence in achievement as well as wider opportunities.

Ensembles on offer range from a full brass band, a symphony orchestra, choirs, jazz and wind ensembles and a variety of string ensembles. We also provide an Early Years music programme, including Kodaly method classes for children aged 4 and up. Each year SCYM students are offered places to read music at university or conservatoire, but not everyone specialises in music.

Working within a wide curriculum, every student has an opportunity to develop their individual musicianship across the broadest possible spectrum. The Centre operates every Saturday in term-time for 30 Saturdays over the academic year, and is suitable for any young musician who is already able to sing or play an instrument. Places are offered on the basis of potential, taking into account the candidates age, musical education and experiences to date. Those with sufficient potential can be accepted at any stage of their musical development, and there is no minimum standard.

The partnership that forms Saffron Centre for Young Musicians is formed of Saffron Hall, Greater Essex Music Hub and Saffron Walden County High School. This leads to many first class and unique opportunities for performance, masterclasses and workshops as well as holiday courses. SCYM’s tutors are experienced and committed music educators and we are proud to say that we are strong and friendly community. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Learn more about the philosophy behind SCYM in this article for Sound Sense written by our Head of Centre Kate Llewellyn in November 2025:

November 2025 – Sound Sense (Kate Llewellyn)

Staff Profiles

Head of Centre: Kate Llewellyn

PGDipGSMD, GRNCM, PPRNCM, MA (Music Education)

Kate was appointed Head of Saffron Centre for Young Musicians at its inception in 2015, and with her team has developed the Centre into a thriving and successful Saturday music school.

Kate is a graduate of Royal Northern College of Music (Howard Snell), and a postgraduate of Guildhall School (Ray Simmons and John Miller) She was also a junior exhibitioner at Junior Guildhall (Andrew Mitchell). In 2024 she earned a Masters degree in music education (The Teaching Musician) from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

As a trumpet player Kate played for the Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonie der Nationem, as well as with Royal and BBC Philharmonic Orchestras and Welsh National Opera. As an educator Kate has taught for several years locally at both primary and secondary level and is a dedicated to giving every young person the highest quality of teaching possible. She now mentors other music teachers in her role as District Lead Tutor for Chelmsford and Brentwood with Essex Music Service.

Centre Administrator: Helen Moss

Amy Morrow-Plant

Clarinet, saxophone and theory

Amy has taught at SCYM since 2015 and is a clarinettist, educator, and music leader. A graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where she also completed a PGCert in Performance Education, she regularly returns as a guest lecturer in clarinet teaching. Alongside performing at major London venues and collaborating with artists including Alfie Boe, Rod Stewart, and Joss Stone, Amy serves as Director of Music and Head of Instrumental Studies at Hockerill Anglo-European College and is actively involved in music education across the region.

Anna Mowat

Cello

Former Co-Principal Cello with Opera North, with principal and guest work including the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra (including Principal; USA tours with Sting), Northern Sinfonia and the European Union Youth Orchestra (including Principal). Regularly engaged by leading UK ensembles including the London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra and English National Opera, with work ranging from symphonic and operatic repertoire to contemporary projects, broadcast appearances and session work. A committed chamber musician and recitalist— member of the Alexander Piano Quartet (2000–present)—with performances at major festivals and venues including St John’s Smith Square, Barbican and Murten Festival (Switzerland). Alongside performance, she maintains a respected teaching practice, currently holding a long term position at Emanuel School, coaching individuals and ensembles to high-level exam results and prizes.

Ben Carnell

Piano

Biography to follow.

Ben Landymore

Music production

Ben Landymore is a music producer, composer, recording engineer, trombonist, DJ, and educator whose work spans electronic, classical, cinematic, and commercial music. An accomplished producer and sound engineer, he has worked on theatre productions, Arts Council projects, film soundtracks, and recordings with internationally recognised artists and ensembles. Alongside his production career, Ben is a classically trained trombonist who studied at the Royal College of Music Junior Department and has performed with orchestras, brass ensembles, jazz bands, and theatre productions, bringing a broad and creative musical perspective to his teaching and performance work.

Edward Campbell-Rowntree

Piano and Musicianship

A current PhD candidate in Musicology at the University of Cambridge, he researches seventeenth-century French harpsichord music and culture, supported by a Vice-Chancellor’s and Rosalie Crawford Girton Studentship. He previously studied at King’s College London, the University of Oxford, and the Royal Northern College of Music, specialising in piano performance and song accompaniment. An award-winning collaborative pianist and Leeds Lieder Young Artist, he has worked with leading musicians including Sir Stephen Hough and received support from organisations such as Help Musicians UK and the Headley Trust.

Felicity Hamilton

Voice and choirs

Felicity Hamilton is a lyric soprano, conductor, and singing teacher based in Essex. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and former member of the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain, she has performed widely in the UK and internationally, working with distinguished conductors including Sir Charles Mackerras and Sir Colin Davis. Alongside her performance career, Felicity is a highly respected vocal teacher at SCYM and other leading institutions, with many of her students progressing to conservatoires, national youth ensembles, and music scholarships at top universities.

Gavin Bowyer

Trumpet, Cornet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Tenor Horn, Euphonium

Gavin has been teaching at SCYM since 2023 and is an experienced brass teacher and performer. A graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, he has performed with leading brass bands including the GUS Band and served as Principal Cornet of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. Alongside teaching in schools across Cambridgeshire and Essex, Gavin performs regularly as lead trumpet with Prime Brass, principal trumpet with the Medlock Sinfonia, and as a freelance musician for ceremonial and ensemble engagements.

James Cairns

Flute , Concert Band, Brass & Wind Ensemble

James Cairns is an experienced flautist, conductor, educator, and Director of Music at HRS, with over ten years’ teaching experience. A scholarship student at the Royal Northern College of Music, he has performed with leading UK orchestras, worked with renowned conductors and musicians, and championed both new and community music projects. Holding a PGCE from the University of Cambridge and a Masters in Educational Leadership and Management, James is passionate about making music education accessible, inclusive, and inspiring for young people.

James Free

General musicianship, Saxophone, Guitar, Clarinet, Ukulele

James studied BA (Hons) Music in Anglia Polytechnic University, Cambridge and PTLLS teacher training also in Cambridge. Since the mid-1980’s,James has performed extensively for a wide variety of entertainment agencies, artists and ensembles at festivals, theatres, clubs, hotels, holiday resorts, corporate functions, military bases and cruise lines through out UK, Europe and United States. Artists include Tom Robinson and venues include Glastonbury Festival. With 20 years experience in teaching music, in the United States and with Essex Music Services, James specialises in saxophone, whole class music, concert preparation, clarinet, flute and guitar.

Leon Haxby

Composition, DJ, Bassoon, Chamber WInd Ensemble

Leon Haxby is a Cambridge-based composer, bassoonist, DJ, and teacher whose work spans contemporary classical music, film, commercial soundtracks, and electronic music. A graduate of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, he has won major composition awards and had his music performed internationally by leading ensembles and at renowned festivals and venues. Alongside composing for film, advertising, and concert performance, Leon is an active bassoonist and DJ, bringing a diverse and creative approach to his teaching and musical practice.

Lucy Haggerwood-Bullen

Violin and strings

Lucy has taught at SCYM since 2018 and is a violinist and teacher who holds an MA in Violin Performance from Trinity Laban. An active freelance performer, she has worked with ensembles including Sinfonia Smith Square, the London City Philharmonic, and the International Film Orchestra, alongside a strong commitment to community music and innovative performance projects. In addition to teaching at SCYM and The Leys School, Cambridge, Lucy was a Benedetti Foundation Ambassador and is passionate about making violin lessons fun, creative, and inspiring for young musicians.

Mark Fielding

Piano

Mark has been teaching piano and accompanying the SCYM choir since 2024. A graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he won prizes for both composition and chamber music, he has taught at Junior Guildhall and The Perse School, Cambridge. As a pianist, he has performed widely across Europe, the Americas, and Asia, broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM, and made several recordings. He is also a respected composer and arranger, with works published by Saxtet Publications and featured in ABRSM publications.

Michael Iskas

Violin, Viola, Chamber Music, Ensembles

Michael has taught at SCYM since 2022 and is an experienced violin, viola, and chamber music teacher working across Essex and with Pro Corda. Alongside teaching, he performs with leading orchestras including the CBSO, BSO, OPO, and English National Ballet, and is co-founder of the award-winning Diphonon Duo, which combines concert performances with extensive community music work. He studied in Greece, Vienna, the Royal Academy of Music, and Trinity Laban, and is passionate about making music accessible to all.

Nicola New

Piano, Theory, French Horn, Kodály, Create and Explore

Whilst at the Royal College of Music, Nicky was awarded an Exhibition scholarship alongside horn and ensemble prizes. Since graduating, she has worked as a freelance performer, teacher, accompanist, and adjudicator for festivals and competitions. Recent engagements include work with The Bristol Ensemble, The International Film Orchestra and tour dates with The Christmas Orchestra. Nicky directs The Music Man Project workshops for children and adults with learning disabilities in Cambridgeshire, Essex and Hertfordshire, runs developmental music sessions for children with complex needs in the community, runs accessible music sessions for the Dreamdrops NHS children’s charity, is the horn player for Prime Brass, and is the Director of Music at All Saints’ Church, Writtle (within the Chelmsford diocese).

Ollie Wyatt

Trumpet, Jazz Band

Biography to follow.

Siu Chui Li

Piano

Siu Chui Li is a highly sought-after collaborative pianist who has performed extensively across Europe, South Korea, and the British Isles, appearing at major festivals including the West Cork Chamber Music Festival, Chichester Festival, Isle of Man Festival, and Festival du Menton. In England, she has performed at leading venues such as Wigmore Hall, the Royal Opera House, the Royal Festival Hall, Blackheath Concert Halls, and De Montfort Hall, Leicester. She has collaborated with distinguished musicians including flautist Susan Milan, violinist Elizabeth Cooney, and the acclaimed Doric String Quartet. A graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal College of Music, Siu Chui also teaches at The Perse School, Cambridge.

Suzanne Reeves

Musicianship, Violin, Recorder

Suzanne has been teaching at SCYM since January 2024 and brings a wealth of international experience in music education. After studying at the Royal Academy of Music Junior Department and the Guildhall School of Music, she performed and taught in France, including serving as Head of Music at the International School of Paris. Her career has also taken her to the Dominican Republic and Taiwan, where she spent 15 years teaching violin and Orff-Schulwerk at Taipei American School. Since returning to the UK, she has taught music and violin across Essex and Hertfordshire. Suzanne is passionate about helping pupils of all ages achieve their potential while maintaining the joy and creativity of music-making. She holds a BSc Mus (Hons), MEd, LGSM, PGCE and Level III Orff-Schulwerk Certificate.

Tuğçe Bolulu

Drums, Percussion

Biography to follow.

Safeguarding

All parties are responsible in maintaining the safety of young people. Should any concerns arise they should be reported immediately to the Centre staff either in person, or via the following email addresses:

Saffron Centre for Young Musicians

Essex Music Service

All staff at SCYM are DBS checked (enhanced) and undergo safeguarding training biannually, inline with government guidance. We also follow Safer Recruitment guidelines when appointing staff. We take very seriously the welfare of our students on a Saturday and follow Greater Essex Music Hub’s Safeguarding Policy and Procedures. Please see ‘Policies’ for this in detail, as well as the Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024 guidance.

All Pastoral staff are trained in first aid, and if there are any individual medical needs we should know about to provide care for any attending young person, please inform us of this at the point of enrolment.

Safeguarding and Conduct Policy

SCYM Term Dates & Timetable 2025–26
Autumn Term 2026 Spring Term 2027 Spring Term 2027
Week 1 19 September 9 January 17 April
Week 2 26 September 16 January 24 April
Week 3 3 October 23 January 1 May
Week 4 10 October 30 January 8 May
Week 5 17 October 6 February 15 May
Week 6 7 November 13 February 22 May
Week 7 14 November 27 February 12 June
Week 8 21 November 6 March 19 June
Week 9 28 November 13 March 26 June
Week 10 5 December 20 March 3 July
Half-Term 24 & 31 October 20 February 29 May, 5 June

Make-up Weeks

12 December 2026 and 10 July 2027 are make-up weeks should they be required by SCYM or SCYM tutors.

Ensemble Timetable

To view the Ensemble Timetable, please click here.