Instrumental Teachers

VIOLINIST & EDUCATOR

Violinist Francina Moll Salord graduated at the Royal College of Music in London, where she obtained a Master in Performance with professor Radu Blidar and her Bachelor of Music with professor Natasha Boyarsky. Prior to her studies at the Royal College of Music, Francina was awarded a scholarship to study at The Purcell School of Music in London with Evgeny Grach. She began violin lessons at the age of six at her hometown in Ciutadella de Menorca and at the age of thirteen years old she studied at the Oriol Martorell Music Centre in Barcelona. Francina was kindly supported throughout her studies as well as at the early stages of her career in London by: Abbado European Young Musicians Trust, EMI Music Foundation, Talent Unlimited, Loan Fund for Musical Instruments, Albert Cooper Trust, Kathleen Trust, Help Musicians UK & the Instrument Scheme of the Royal College of Music. In 2015 Francina was given the Kenneth Loveland Gift Award (founded by Sir Simon Rattle) becoming the second violinist to be given this award since 2004.

At the age of thirteen Francina gave her first solo recital at Sa Nostra Centre, in Ciutadella de Menorca. Since then, she has performed at some of Europe's most prestigious venues such as the Cadogan Hall, St. George´s Hannover Square, Queen Elizabeth Hall, St Martin in the Fields and St. John’s Smith Square. An avid lover of chamber music Francina has performed recitals at St James’s Church within the London Trio Society Concert Series, violin and piano recitals at V&A Museum, St. James Piccadilly, St. David’s Hall in Cardiff and at the Wigmore Hall where she played works by composer James McMillan, who presided over the performance.

In the UK, Francina was a member of Southbanank Sinfonia, with which she gave orchestral and chamber music concerts throughout the UK and Italy. She has also played with the EMI Music Foundation Orchestra at the Somerset House in London, the Chipping Campden Festival and in Phantom of the Opera in the London West End. Francina regularly performs in concert halls such as the Auditori of Barcelona with the Barcelona Symphony and Catalonia National Orchestra. She also has collaborated with the Symphony Orchestra of Tenerife, the Symphony Orchestra of the Balearic Islands, the Catalan Chamber Orchestra and the GIO Orchestra.

Furthermore, Francina often closely works with composers, premiering and recording their work. Francina premiered a piece, which was dedicated to her, for solo violin- Sketch- by Austrian composer Thomas Wally, at the Soundings Academy of Contemporary Music in London. Francina also enjoys recording for film scores and has recorded at Abbey Road Studios for La Lune Folle film, in which she also played a role as Justine(available on Amazon Prime Video).

In April 2015 Francina was invited to play with the 24/04 Orchestra in Yerevan, Armenia, to remember the victims of the Armenian genocide, collaborating with soloists Sergey Khachatryan and Narek Hakhnazaryan. Francina’s musical and cultural experience in Yerevan brought Armenian music to her attention and since then she enjoys playing Armenian music to different audiences. Francina plays a Frederic Chaudiére violin, made in Montpellier in 1996.

PIANIST & EDUCATOR

Saul Churcher is a pianist who began his piano studies at the age of five in Melbourne, Australia. For the majority of his childhood he studied the piano with highly regarded pedagogues such as Nehama Patkin. From an early age, Saul gained experience performing in public as a solo pianist and was awarded Distinction in his piano exams. In 2013, he moved to Bristol, UK where he obtained his Bachelor of Music at the University of Bristol and was also awarded a Distinction upon completing it.

Saul continued his piano studies in Barcelona, Spain with the acclaimed Catalan pianist Cristina Casale. Following that, Saul studied a Degree in piano performance at the Conservatori del Liceu de Barcelona, with the highly regarded pianist and pedagogue Alba Ventura, whom herself received classes from the internationally renowned Spanish pianist Alicia de Larrocha.

During his studies, Saul’s international performing career grew and performed as a soloist and accompanist in Australia, the United Kingdom and Spain, in venues such as the Victoria Rooms (Bristol, UK), Clemente Pianos (Valencia, Spain), Sala Parés (Barcelona, Spain) and El Centre Moral i Cultural del Poblenou (Barcelona, Spain).

Saul’s students receive highly personalised lessons according to their needs and goals. His teaching method is based on providing a robust training in technique so that students gain a solid foundation. At the same time, Saul gives his students the necessary tools so that they obtain motivation and confidence, which will help them express themselves artistically. One of Saul’s key goals is for each student to feel comfortable at the piano and to be able to enjoy progressing further. Saul guides his students so that they can acknowledge what it means to be a well-rounded and intelligent musician who can express through music in a natural way.

GUITARIST & EDUCATOR

Jim began to play the guitar aged 9 in Colchester, Essex on a guitar once belonging to his mother. He began to take lessons with Martin Plackett with whom he completed grades 1-8 before moving to London to continue his musical studies.

Between 2005 and 2008, he studied with Charles Ramírez whilst obtaining his BA in Music at Goldsmiths College, University of London. During this time Jim formed a guitar trio and also gave the UK premiere of a solo guitar piece by Faradzh Karaev, one of the leading composers of the post-soviet era.

Upon completing his degree Jim spent the next few years living abroad in Madrid and Israel. Seeking out Guy Meir, himself a former student of Charles Ramírez, he began to take regular lessons whilst living in Tel Aviv.

In 2013 Jim returned to London and began teaching the guitar privately as well as with the Harrow Music Service whilst taking lessons himself with Graham Anthony Devine. In 2014 he began a postgraduate diploma at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance with Graham Anthony Devine, head of the guitar department. Jim continued at Trinity where he obtained a Postgraduate Artist Diploma and performed in masterclasses with David Russell, Leo Brouwer, Ricardo Gallen, Carlo Marchione, Zoran Dukic, Franz Halasz and others. He has performed at the Royal Greenwich Guitar Festival with his chamber ensemble of guitar, flute and viola as well as performing solo at other venues throughout the UK.

Since 2018 Jim has been living in Barcelona where he completed his Masters in Classical Music Performance at the Liceu Conservatoire studying with the head of department, Guillem Pérez-Quer. In his second year he was chosen to participate in a project between the composition department and the Picasso Museum. Jim recorded a piece written by Catalan composer David Esterri for guitar and flute called "Coloms" (Pigeons) based on a painting of the same name.

Jim currently works on various musical projects, one of which is a guitar duo with a focus on new music for this ensemble. Jim regularly commissions new works by composers from England and Spain.

CELLO PLAYER & EDUCATOR

Ana Vranes is a graduate cellist from the Pula Music Academy, Croatia, where she obtained her Bachelor of Music and a Master in Music Education. Prior to that, she completed her Junior Diploma in Belgrade, where she was a member of the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and a praised student within the cello department. During her musical studies, Ana played with the Istria National Orchestra.

Before moving to Barcelona, Ana was based in London, where she played with various orchestras such as the Brent Orchestra, the Camden Orchestra and the Fulham Opera. She was also the leader of the cello section at the Collaborative Orchestra in London, a member of the Collaborative Cello Octet and the cellist of the Collaborative String Quartet. Ana also performed in musicals such as She loves me at the Landor Theatre, London.

While working in the UK, Ana taught students of all ages and abilities across different schools in London. Ana conducted and arranged many pieces for school orchestras and was the Head of Strings and the leader of the Chamber Orchestra at the Harris Academy in London. Ana believes it is important to implement the joy of playing at any stage of learning, whether playing solo or as part of a group. Furthermore, her motivation stems from the fact that learning music is extremely beneficial for children as it has a positive impact which goes beyond learning to play a musical instrument. Wider learning takes part and many skills are developed- such as listening, following instructions, collaboration, communication, alongside making fond memories and friendships for life.

Ana is a versatile musician who actively collaborates in a wide range of musical projects. From 2001-2004 she worked with composer Baskhim Shehu to bring to life the Histria Classical Music Festival in Croatia. What is more, Ana was an active member and arranger of the Pula Cello Octet for several years, performing across Croatia. Ana likes to play a wide range of musical styles as well as recording in the studio as a session musician. Ana enjoys teaching students from all over the world as well as performing with orchestras and varied chamber music formations.

ELECTRIC GUITARIST & EDUCATOR

Born in Barcelona, Jordi Costa started playing the guitar at a very young age. He studied at Escola de Música Segura and Escola Luthier d’Arts Musicals in Catalonia. Next, he kept learning from masters like Genís Barcons (blues and rumba), Pau Figueres (flamenco and fusion) and Joel Díaz (jazz). Jordi is an active live musician and often performs with bands The White Limos, Grace, Aisha and the Ray Band. He also collaborates with singers Aisha Fay, Marie Pratt, Laura Miquel, Nikka Mills and Jere Improperios. Jordi has appeared at several musical theatre shows like Carrie (Teatre Gaudí), Pornopop (Teatre Versus), Les Històries Naturals (Teatre Condal) and Ocaña reina de las ramblas (Teatre Condal and Neukölln Oper, Berlín). He usually performs around 100 shows every year.

SAXOPHONIST & EDUCATOR

Andrew Baker is British saxophonist, composer and producer based in Barcelona. He studied music as an undergrad at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow, where his professors were Tommy Smith and Julian Arguelles. Andrew completed a Master in Jazz Performance and Modern music at the Conservatori Superior de Música del Liceu in Barcelona, where he studied with American saxophonist Bill McHenry. He plays tenor and soprano saxophones, guitar and piano.

He is an enthusiastic and skilled professional with many years of experience as an educator. Andrew teaches students of all ages and with varied levels of ability. He has taught throughout Europe and South America and enjoys working with students who come from a wide range of cultures.

Andrew believes that learning is a lifelong journey for everyone. As a teacher striving to encourage and foster his students, he seeks to nurture balanced individuals by providing them with the necessary tools to become strong and independent learners. He considers that students embracing creative experiences and discovering new knowledge are more likely to become competent professionals and motivated human beings. Andrew is deeply passionate about academic excellence and personal development. Through music, he has witnessed how his students boost their intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual growth. For Andrew, music is the richest area of learning which can cultivate artistic, academic and personal values.

DRUMS PLAYER & EDUCATOR

Diogo Santos is a skilled teacher and session drummer from Portugal with over seventeen years of experience in education as well as a performer. Specialized in jazz, funk, fusion, rock and Brazilian music, Diogo has travelled to many countries to perform and tour with artists/bands from Spain, Portugal and Germany such as Osmosis (Portugal), LAU, DWARKA, Kaufman Duo, Paranormales, Tremenda Trementina, Tears in Rain, Tú No Existes (Spain), Piranha Pigeons, Conner Joyce Band (Germany) and Pulsaer (Norway).

Some of Diogo’s most acclaimed recordings are Stop to Reach and Ideometry from Tears in Rain . Piranha Pigeons was well-received by audiences, as well as being recorded by the famous producer Tommy Newton. Diogo also records for international music websites such as Airgigs and Sound better. In Catalonia, he has recorded at La Atlantida Studio and La Masia Estudio (Barcelona). Diogo is often at the recording studio and enjoys recording with artists from all over the world.

He studied with world-famous drummers Steve Gadd, Gergo Borlai, Micheal Lauren, Ernst Bier and Marc Miralta. He learned with all of them that a great musician is always at the service of the music he/she is playing/performing, no matter the music genre.

Diogo has more than ten years of teaching experience with students from all levels, ages and abilities. He enjoys teaching because in his opinion: “music is one of the best things humankind ever created, so everybody should be able to enjoy and experience playing an instrument.” Diogo motivates his students to improve and gain confidence through dynamic, fun and creative lessons!

SINGER & EDUCATOR

Elisabeth Gillming, a French mezzosoprano, completed a masters in musicology at the University of Oxford, United Kingdom. She then graduated in Singing Performance at the Conservatory of Geneva and Lugano with Luisa Castellani, with whom she specialized in contemporary music. Elisabeth performed under the direction of Kaspar Zehnder, Beat Furrer, Giorgio Bernasconi and Michel Plasson, amongst others.

She also created her baroque ensemble, Les Arabesques, with whom she sung over Europe. In the baroque world, she collaborated with Stefano Molardi, Diego Fasolis, Gabriel Garrido and Leonardo Garcia Alarcon.

Elisabeth also performed in many opera houses in Europe. She sung for a few years in the chorus of Geneva’s Opera House. At present, Elisabeth is a member of Barcelona’s Opera House Chorus, at the Gran Teatre del Liceu.

FLUTE PLAYER & EDUCATOR

Lisa Gambacciani teaches flute, chamber music, singing and piano. She has many years of teaching experience with students of all ages. Lisa has been a specialist music teacher in prestigious music academies, secondary schools and conservatoires in Catalonia, as well as in local and international schools.

She was born in Florence, Italy. At an early age she started learning the flute at the Conservatory in Florence, where she received the diploma of traverse flute. In 2007 she graduated with the highest qualifications at the Music High Conservatory of Livorno, Pisa. In 2005, Lisa completed a Degree in Foreign Languages (English, German and French) at the University of Florence as well as a Master in Music Teaching. Lisa was awarded the "Advanced Certificate" by the Royal Boarding School of Music of London. She has a postgraduate degree from the Liceu Conservatory of Barcelona and received further teacher training at the Univesity Autonoma of Barcelona.

Lisa has specialised in Chamber Music groups and is a founder member of Trio Veneziano in collaboration with Monica Finco, professor at the Venice Conservatoire. Lisa also created Duo Resonare Fibris, in collaboration with the French pianist Lucie Croce, with whom she tours different cities of Italy and Europe.

Lisa was chosen by Several Records and Blanjie Records Entertainment to broadcast her CD online: “Concerto in Budapest” and “La Flûte Impressionniste”. Lisa is the owner of a cultural enterprise “L.G. Classical Music Consultant” which focuses on artist management and creating cultural events focused on classical music.

Lisa believes that music benefits children in so many ways. She enjoys watching her pupils development as musicians and sensitive individuals who have discovered the world of music through her lessons.