Tim and Gill Hewitt-Jones and Sara Grint have now worked together for many years, and with their overlapping skills and local knowledge, have an encyclopedic knowledge of the possibilities for planning performance programmes. All three have taken a keen interest in musical education, and sincerely believe in helping young people to discover classical music from an early age.

Gill Hewitt-Jones, who studied at Durham and Cambridge, was inspired by the teaching methods of Sheila Nelson at the renowned Tower Hamlets Centre for Young Musicians String Teaching Scheme, has been Head of Strings at Dulwich Prep London for fifteen years, nurturing string players in their crucial early stages with lessons and string groups.

Tim Hewitt-Jones who studied at Cambridge and the Royal Academy of Music, played with the London Symphony Orchestra before joining the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House. Tim has been involved with various youth orchestras since first putting out music stands for his father aged eight. Since settling in Dulwich in the 1980s, Tim has taught the Cello in schools in the area alongside his professional playing work and has conducted the Senior Orchestra for more than 35 years! His favourite moments in the music profession include Shostakovitch's 5th Symphony with Colin Davis in Moscow, Mahler's 5th Symphony with Claudio Abbado in Vienna, and recording ‘Tristan & Isolde’ with Antonio Pappano and Placido Domingo at Abbey Road.

Sara Grint is the Musical Director at Merton Music Foundation, playing and teaching the oboe with a particular focus on woodwind instruction and ensemble leadership. DYO is lucky to benefit from Sara's encyclopaedic knowledge of Wind Band repertoire and her focus on making music enjoyable and inspiring. Sara's particular musical passion is West End shows, so when she's not conducting, she can be found performing on her oboe in theatres around London and the South East.

Nicky Baigent is a Clarinettist and Saxophonist, teaching in schools around Dulwich and at Trinity Laban Junior Department. She performs with North Sea Radio Orchestra and Lost Crowns as well as freelancing with orchestras in London.

Carefully recruited from the South London area, all our tutors currently perform with major international ensembles, examine, teach and mentor. 

• Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
• English National Ballet
• City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
  
• City of London Sinfonia
• Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
• BBC Symphony Orchestra
• Philharmonia Orchestra
• BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
• BBC Concert Orchestra
• West End Shows
• The Head of Strings, Dulwich Prep, London
• The Head of Brass, Dulwich College
• Head of Strings, Dulwich College
• Head of Woodwind, Merton Music Foundation
• Dulwich College
• Kingsdale School
• Alleyn’s School
• Junior Royal Academy of Music
• Trinity College of Music
• ABRSM Examiner
• MTB Examiner

In addition to these prodigious professional skills, all our tutors enjoy the friendly, fun and inclusive atmosphere at DYO!