Katie is a primary music specialist working in Lambeth, South London. Her passion for music education began during her studies at the Guildhall School of Music as a flautist, where she discovered Kodàly’s principles and pedagogy under the expert tutelage of David Vinden. During Katie’s undergraduate studies, she took the opportunity to complete her Erasmus study period at the Sibelius Academy, Helsinki, where she observed and qualified further in the Kodàly-based practice of Colourflute.

 On her return to London, she completed her Masters at the Guildhall School of Music in Orchestral Artistry (Flute) and taught flute at the Colourstrings Music School, South London as well as working for several music hubs in North-East London.

Katie then completed her PGCE primary training through the School Direct route, and swiftly navigated her way back to her true passion, primary music education. Katie particularly enjoys the curriculum design and planning element of her work and can be found supporting other local practitioners through Lambeth Music Hub. Katie was also part of the Oak National Academy Primary Music Team and is part of the ‘Every Copy Counts’ Teacher Studio. Outside of her professional practice, Katie enjoys making music in the chamber choir, Invicta Voices.

Dan is in charge of the A-Star Music brand. He works with colleagues developing the product range, promoting the A-Star name and managing our new website.

A musician at heart, he is a guitarist since the age of 7 and has played in numerous guises over the years. A lover of percussion also, he can happily turn his hand to play the Vengaboys on the hand-bells.
He trained as a Secondary School Teacher specialising in Music, undertaking a PGCE through the School Direct programme in the West Midlands. His teaching journey took him to the Netherlands, teaching Secondary Music at a British International School. These experiences ensure he understands the needs of classroom teachers and the challenges that can be faced.

 Since then Dan has worked as an Education Account Manager in Musical Instrument retail, forming strong relationships with Schools and Music Hubs across the UK and further afield assisting them in purchasing instruments and best maximising their budgets. Many of these purchasing A-Star products to fill up their teaching spaces.