Our Teachers

Meet the teachers that make up our Academy

Bradley Russeau Drums

Bradley is an internationally touring session musician, composer and highly experienced private teacher who wants to give back to others the joy that music has brought him. starting from 'The Young Drummer of the Year' competition back in 2014 at the age of 16 onto one of the top signed UK chart boy bands playing shows & tours with Little Mix, James Arthur, Rixton & more. playing iconic venues and festivals from the Royal Albert Hall to Wembley OVO Arena, with more success in the studio as well as live shows Bradley Has recorded with various artist internationally in multiply legendary studios such as Abby Road Studios, British Grove, Air Studios & more. In addition to this, Bradley Has also had a large career as a music composer for Film & TV working on the BAFTA Award winning series "Killing Eve" & "cold feet" & the soundtracks for iconic games With recently working with CAPCOM creating the soundtrack for the new "Street Fighter 6" as well as multiple syncs on BBC, ITV, Netflix & more.

All throughout Bradley's Career, he has also had a large private education client base teaching Drums to all ages and to all levels from beginners to getting professionals ready to go out on the road for tours. he covers all aspects of drumming & just wants to give back to others the joy that music has brought him as he wants to see all his students grow & pave their way into success with music from just wanting a bit of fun to getting you to professional standard.

Bradley is a dedicated and experienced Drum Instructor with a passion for teaching students of all ages and skill levels. With years of professional drumming and teaching experience, Bradley has developed a unique approach to drum lessons that combines a deep understanding of music theory with practical, hands-on drumming techniques. Bradley specialises in preparing students for the Trinity College Guildhall of Music Theory exams while also offering customised lessons tailored to each student's individual goals and learning style making each lesson as enjoyable and beneficial as possible.

Mike Hopkins Woodwind

Freelance Theatre Musician/Orchestral/Big Band/Teacher/all saxes/oboe/cor anglais/clarinet/flute

Mike has been a full-time Musician since leaving school. He trained for 2 and a half years at The Music School, Bovington , Dorset. In this time he studied Advanced Music Theory/Oboe/Saxophone/Piano. After this period, Mike went on to study at The Royal Military School of Music (Kneller Hall). He received tuition on the Oboe and Saxophone and continued to study aspects of playing all styles of music/conducting/music theory. Mike received many Certificates/Prizes plus an Exceptional Proficiency Certificate for Oboe playing. He went on to attend s 6 month equitation course with The Household Cavalry (Knightsbridge). He served with The Band of The Life Guards as Principal Alto Sax/Principal Oboe (Orchestra) working all over the world and playing for The Queen on numerous occasions at Buckingham Palace. Mike was in the Mounted Band which involved many State Occasions. In this period, he worked extensively in London in Recording Studios including TV and many Radio broadcasts, carrying out hundreds of concerts/shows all over the UK.

On leaving The Household Cavalry, Mike joined Dorset Music Service and enjoyed another long career as a Peripatetic Woodwind Teacher in Schools all over Dorset. He conducted many Wind Bands/Jazz Groups/Sectional Rehearsals and ran The Bournemouth Youth Jazz Orchestra (Bournemouth Music Centre) for 9 Years and also worked with The Dorset Youth Jazz Orchestra. He also ran the Concert Band at Bournemouth Music Centre for a couple of years and conducted DYJO/BYJO at The Royal Albert Hall three times with DMS. Mike also worked in schools all over Dorset carrying out music workshops. He was involved in the Government Wider Opportunities (Music for All) Scheme which involved teaching whole classes (Year 4) and introducing them all to the Saxophone/Flute/Clarinet. After leaving DMS in 2012, Mike now work as a Freelance Musician/Teacher and play/teach All the different Saxes/Clarinet/Oboe/Flute/Theory. He plays Principal Oboe for St Aldhem's Orchestra. Mike also does a lot of ‘Pit’ work for Shows/ Pantos as and when required. Mike also run a Jazz Quartet, and a Sax Quartet and also works as a Solo Sax Player for various functions.

Maggie Nimmo Piano and Music Theory

Always passionate about music but also the desire to help others progress, Maggie began teaching at a young age. Initially as a young Dance tutor at her Ballet school and then onto teaching her own private Piano students from the age of 16. Having worked through all ABRSM grades and now working towards a performance Diploma, Maggie continues to grow her student base and enjoys helping her students to progress whilst enjoying their instrument and becoming more confident and secure in all they are working to acheive. Maggie has also worked with online agencies based in Slovakia and currently with a company in Hong Kong teaching English as a foreign Language. These students are as young as 5yrs old and Maggie is very patient and adaptable to each child she teaches both in English language and Piano Lessons.

Olena Kolomiiets Piano and Music Theory

Olena is a highly qualified teacher with an impressive work portfolio. Her many teaching placements include the position of Primary music teacher at British International School, Ukraine, Music teacher at Haida International Educational Company, China where Olena Opened the Ballet school for young learners, controlled the marketing and advertisement campaigns, prepared competitions, lesson plans and trained the other teachers and Chinese TAs on the subject materials. Olena also worked as an Accompanist at Kharkiv National University of Arts, Ukraine and taught, mentored, and coached students in preparing for their music exams, with a proven track record of success rate. Olena was also employed as a Piano teacher and accompanist at Kharkiv ballet and music school Ukraine. Olena teaches all levels of Piano and has also run group Music Theory classes. She is devoted to helping her students to achieve whilst encouraging their love of playing their instrument.

Bex Hayward

Bex Hayward has been involved in music from a very young age, starting with piano and violin at the age of 6 and progressing to grade 7 in both instruments before leaving primary school.

An involvement with various Youth Choirs and Orchestras, including performing at The Royal Albert Hall and at invitation only Youth Orchestra residential camps at Snape Maltings, helped to progress her abilities with classical music and on stage

In her teenage years she taught herself guitar and played/sang in various acoustic and rock groups in the Bournemouth area. She also enjoys folk and country music so has a wide range of musical interests and believes that music should be fun and is a great life skill to bring people together!

Jean Nimmo

Piano ,Violin and Guitar

Piano, Flute, Music Theory and Accompanist

Jean is an experienced and patient teacher with over 30 years of varied experience in this industry. She began teaching private students at the age of 17, and soon went on to accompaniment work for soloist's exams as well as rehearsals and later, singing workshops. Performing in bands playing keyboards and working as a live pianist for a New Forest Ballet school, Jean has a wide range of experience that she uses to help her own students to achieve their music goals beyond exams. In recent years, Jean has worked as a peripatetic Instrument teacher in many schools, from Infants, helping new beginners, right up to College students, helping them to prepare for Music College Auditions.

Hayley Angel

Piano, Guitar, Drums, Ukulele Recorder, Music Theory

Hayley is an accomplished drummer and studied Popular music and Jazz at Chichester college. She has performed in bands over the years and has written and performed solo acoustic guitar sets in venues across Hampshire. She was once featured performing her own material on BBC Radio Solent.

Hayley has been teaching for over 10 years and has varied experience in group and individual teaching and has taught all age groups. Currently teaching in infant and Junior schools as a peripatetic, Hayley has gathered a wealth of experience and has had great results in encouraging and supporting younger learners to really learn their instrument and build their confidence in themselves and their own abilities musically. Hayley has a lot of success in helping students who are neurodiverse to learn how to really harness their joy of playing and how to practically study while enjoying their instrument. Hayley currently teaches at least 5 instruments and is consistently adding to her own musical accomplishments and experience.

Teachers for JN Music Academy hold a full enhanced DBS and belong to the Government update service. They also have Public Liability Insurance

Katie Jones

Vocal Tuition

Katie has worked in various different areas of the industry, has signed to agents and labels globally and has produced work with many accredited professionals through singing, songwriting & acting.

Katie was one half of the vocal house duo ‘Monroe’ who made a stamp in the commercial and dance charts, reaching number 1 in the UK as well as Europe.‘Monroe’ also signed to Tommy Boy Records in New York.

Alongside being an artist Katie is well respected on the function entertainment circuit, fronting many bands & acoustic projects. Gigging around the UK/Europe has been something she began at the age of 14. The longest residency being 7 months in Beijing.

Katie has worked for various different producers/writers as a session vocalist/songwriter. Providing top lines, melodies and lyrics for established artists/labels such as Sony, Universal and the land of KPOP

Studio work is a huge passion of hers and being an actress meant finding the joy in working in the voice over sector, she has provided character voices for tv shows and games as well as commercials and radio jingles.

Katie has been teaching for over 15 years. That includes 1-1 lessons, leading workshops, teaching the music curriculum and covering all three disciplines of the performing arts. Katie has also been asked to judge professional vocal competitions.

In 2020-2024 she launched a brand named ‘Kabelle’ which meant her working as a synthpop artist. This was followed by working on a cruise from Miami and around The Caribbean for 7 months.

Currently: Katie has now settled in Southampton, has her own home studio where she lends her vocals out to various projects and teaches online, while also working as the Youth Theatre Coordinator at Mayflower Theatre and Mayflower Studios