Our Tutors
Meet some of our tutors below to give you a flavour of YAMM music teachers (some of them are shy and would rather meet you in person when you come along for a trial).
Jenni Brind - YAMM Musical Director
(she/her)
Violin, Woodwind, Ukulele
Jenni has taught at YAMM since 2002! As Musical Director she created an ensemble programme which enables all pupils to be involved and perform in our summer concert. As Musical Director she also mentors and supports the other tutors at YAMM.
Jenni has been involved with music from early infancy, coming from a very musical family. She has a Music degree and has studied music education and therapy. A qualified secondary school teacher, she currently teaches violin, woodwind and ukulele with Hertfordshire Music Service, as well as work with YAMM. Jenni is also working on her own range of music education resources: Mighty Musicians.
Find out more on Jenni's website.
Jasmine Habgood
(she/her)
Flute, Recorder, Ukulele, Voice
Jasmine is an experienced Music Tutor, Music Director and performer based in Cambridge.
She teaches Flute, Recorder, Ukulele and Voice at YAMM. With a First Class Degree in Popular Music and Recording BA (Hons) and an expansive background as a classical flautist,
Jasmine is keen to ensure her tutoring is catered to the tastes of her students, immersing them in different genres of music and encouraging composition and improvisation.
She places emphasis on the role of music for wellbeing, and seeks to provide a safe and encouraging place for her students to flourish.
Outside of YAMM she can be found leading her choir, musical directing theatre productions and singing her own original material.
Find out more on Jasmine's instagram account or Jasmine's website.
Sadie Clark
(she/her)
Guitar, Ukulele, Violin
Sadie has over ten years' experience teaching violin, guitar, and ukulele to children and adults of all ages.
She has two years' experience as a music therapist, takes part in music workshops in the UK and the USA, and was the founder and chair of Soiree Roots, a collective focused on inclusive community music-making.
Sadie performs, when possible, in folk clubs and pubs; but what she values most is music-making with her students and her own children.
Svitlana Stefanenko
(she/her)
Piano
Svitlana's background is rooted in music education: she is a trained music teacher and a professional pianist with experience working as a classical musical educator in primary schools.
Svitlana strongly believes that every person has the ability to learn a musical instrument, and that musicality can enrich your whole life, helping children (and adults) grow in confidence, creativity, and emotional expression. Svitlana enjoys teaching and the opportunity it brings to nourish people's love for music.
You can follow Svitlana on Facebook
Harry Pendred
(he/him)
Violin, Music theory
Harry has been teaching violin and piano in Cambridge for over ten years, at YAMM and in private lessons at his home studio.
Harry is experienced at preparing children for ABRSM exams, and is happy to help prepare for theory and play as an accompanist too. He builds lessons around student's goals, exploring pieces and studies to complement their journey.
Harry has experience teaching children of all ages from 6 to adult.
Jay Tuffnell
(he/him)
Piano
Jay is an accomplished pianist working towards a post-grade 8 diploma.
Jay has been teaching piano to primary-aged children for the past three years, and is experienced at working with complete beginners.
With experience volunteering for SEN providers, he is dedicated to delivering inclusive musical education experiences for children of all different abilities and needs, by fostering a love for music.
Yen-Chun Kuo
(she/her)
Piano
Yen-Chun has been teaching piano and singing to primary-aged children since 2024. She also teaches music and piano group classes for kindergarten-aged children at Cambridge Chinese Community Centre School.
Yen-Chun is passionate about supporting young learners to explore music in an engaging and encouraging environment, helping them develop confidence and enjoyment in music.
Mark Mason
(he/him)
Piano
Mark is an experienced piano teacher who studied Music at Cambridge University with an organ scholarship. In his late 20s Mark was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), which has impacted his ability to play piano but not to teach it.
He currently teaches at YAMM and St Faith’s school in Cambridge as .
In his own words:
“MS has gradually impaired my ability to play the piano, but not my ability to teach it. I am unable to play something to a student and ask them to mechanically copy it. I admit that sometimes it would be simpler in a lesson just to say, “Watch my hands and copy”. Sometimes I need to be inventive to find ways that students can understand how to play. This can bring advantages to the students such as learning independence, practicing discipline and creating a collaborative mind-set. It is essential to have a good relationship and connection between teacher and student. I achieve this both despite, and because of, my disability.
Because of my varied training and experience, I am able to teach a variety of skills at the piano. If you would like to figure out how to play some chords for rock songs, learn classical music and take grade exams, or improvise and create your own sounds, I can help!”