Highly acclaimed saxophonist (Jools Holland's band & tutor at Birmingham Conservatoire) teaches from own music studio and online. All ages, levels & styles welcomed. 30 years teaching experience.

Learn more about Anna

• When did you first develop a passion for music and your favourite instrument?

  I have always been passionate about music - my earliest musical memory was asking my mum to play her Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons album when I was 2 years old. I loved the vocal harmonies and was fascinated by the doo-wop sound! I started piano lessons at the age of 4, and violin at 8. When I was 12, George Michael's 'Careless Whisper' and the music of Billy Joel, Supertramp and the great pop saxophone solos of the 1980s created my obsession with the saxophone. I just had to play one, it was all I could think about, so I pestered my parents until they were able to get me an old beaten-up tenor sax which I named 'Edna'!

• Is there a particular type of music or artist that you listen to on a loop without it driving you crazy?

  Michael Macdonald, Prince, D'Angelo, Joshua Redman, David Sanborn to name but a few.

• Explain to us the most difficult or riveting course you could personally give to a student of music.

  I love introducing my students to improvisation and watching them discover how they can use music theory to help them to play interesting and exciting improvised solos. Students often expect music theory and improvisation to be difficult but it's often just not explained clearly. The 'aha' moments that I get to witness are a joy!

• What do you think is the most complicated instrument to master and why?

  The violin - I have personal experience because I studied it up to Grade 8 and beyond and still only managed to make an 'OK' sound. It's supremely difficult to play in tune and with a nice tone. I have huge admiration for excellent string players!

• What are your keys to success?

  Living and breathing music, having an absolute passion for it, and being an extremely hard worker and perfectionist!

• Name three musicians you dream of meeting in your favourite bar in the early hours of the morning. Explain why.

  Prince - he was a musical genius with a wealth of creativity.
  Mozart - I'd love him to tell me about his life and musical experiences first-hand.
  Michael MacDonald - in the hope that he'd put on a private gig in that bar just for me! He has the most incredible voice on the planet.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to music or your days at music school.

  Before I gained a place to study the saxophone at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire I approached practicing and performing music as learning play the correct notes in the correct place with the correct rhythm and dynamics. This got me quite far (3 grade 8 ABRSM qualifications), but during one of my first saxophone lessons at the Conservatoire my teacher commented that whilst I was doing everything 'correctly', there was little to no expression in my playing. He called me a 'note squirter' and I was mortally offended! I had been so busy taking practical music exams and getting everything 'right' that I didn't even consider that music is the ultimate non-verbal communication and the goal is not just to do everything 'correctly' but to convey emotions and ideas through your playing. Now I never play something just 'correctly', I always feel the music when I play, whether I'm improvising or playing written music, and I try to communicate however it makes me feel to the listener. I am eternally grateful to my teacher for having pointed this out as one of the most common compliments I receive is that I play expressively and 'with feeling'.

• What are the little touches that make you a Superprof in music?

  I'm highly qualified, have enjoyed an extensive touring and recording career to date, I am a university educator and a private music tutor and I love to work with people with different learning styles, including neuro-divergent students.