Hover over a teacher’s name to reveal their role
Having started playing at 3 years old, Oli found his passion for drumming at a very young age. Largely self- taught, his first public performance was whilst he was in Primary School, and since then he has added guitar, bass, piano and voice to his growing list of instruments.
Oli began teaching music privately at 16 years old whilst working in a local music shop in Stoke which after a short time closed down. This gave Oli the nudge he needed to branch out on his own and start ODM. Oli soon acquired a private client base of over 50 students and even more through his peripatetic teaching in schools which he’s now done for over 15 years. Music has always been an enormous part of his life, and ODM is an extension of himself in sharing his love of music with people of all ages.
Specialising in funk as a style, Oli is an experienced performer and has played in all manner of bands for all kinds of purposes: jazz bands, funk bands, cover bands, function bands, weddings, corporate events, and also playing for gigs overseas. Oli’s major inspiration comes from The Killers and their drummer, Ronnie Vannucci Jr and enjoys inspiring his students with the same love and passion that Ronnie performs with.
ODM encompasses everything that Oli loves about music: excellent performance, accessibility for everyone, and growing a passion for music of all genres.
Steve has been a keen guitar player from a young age. He found a fascination in the instrument through an upbringing of Rock & Metal music. Once he got to grips with the basics, it was a case of taking his new found skills to the next level. Having played in various local bands for a number of years, it wasn’t until 2013 that he found solace in metal outfit ‘I Am Pariah’ who he presently plays and composes for.
After years of being self taught, Steve realised that developing his musicality would require guidance and knowledge from tutors that understood his future vision. He quickly acquired his Rockschool grades and achieved Grade 8 within the current syllabus. Alongside the Rockschool grades, he believed that learning ABRSM music theory would be beneficial to his playing, as well as being able to understand the language of music in a better context; and so, also completed his music theory up to grade 5. Taking these grades has helped round him, not only a guitar player, but a musician in general.
Steve is currently teaching in several high schools in and around Stoke-on-Trent, as well as privately for ODM, with students ranging from school age to retirement, Steve’s ethos is that anyone can play guitar if they put their mind to it. You are never too old to start, no matter what genre you are into, so don’t be afraid to give it a try – focus on your goals!
Joe started to learn the drums at Primary School when he was 8 years old and was immediately hooked. He learnt from two of the most renowned Staffordshire drummers at the time, Paul Murfin and Ken Adams. Both of whom had huge experience as working drummers and they both had huge influence on him. He was taught in all styles, various technical and motion concepts and how to read notation.
Using the skills he had gained from both teachers, Joe gained an unconditional offer to study Professional Musicianship BA (Hons) at the British Institute of Modern Music in Manchester, without any grades, after impressing at his audition. Here he studied hard under the great tutelage of many teachers – most fondly, Luke Flowers in his Jazz Module (The Cinematic Orchestra, Bill Laurence and Corrine Bailey Rae).
Joe has varying musical influences, but he takes most inspiration from the multi faceted language of Jazz drummers. He adores the greats such as Tony Williams and Elvin Jones. Even more so, he listens to modern players who blend jazz improvisation with other musical language such as Chris Dave, Mark Colenburg, Henry Cole and Richard Spaven.
Throughout his study and since graduating, Joe has performed in varying scenarios. His highlights include working in house band onboard a cruise ship, recording in a television studio at Media City in Salford, performing across the UK in various festivals (Edinburgh/Manchester/Congleton Jazz Fest, Solfest and Equinox Festival), and also got a four page feature in Prog Magazine with original project Trojan Horse. He continues to work in several original and function projects as often as he can to hone his craft and cannot wait to share what knowledge he has with ODM students.
An internationally acclaimed opera singer, Oleg Loza combines 13 years of experience as a teacher with 19 years of classical music training.
Oleg started his musical journey as a pianist at Moscow Muradeli Music School, then graduated from Gnesin College as a choir conductor and received a Master’s Degree in opera singing and voice teaching from Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatoire.
Oleg made his professional debut on the stage of the Vienna Chamber Opera which was followed by principal roles at Zurich Opera House, Het Compagnie theater in Amsterdam, Trieste Opera, Nancy Opera and others.
Oleg has a strong media presence in his home country. In 2018 he was the finalist in “Success”, a voice competition on the main TV channel. He was also on the judges panel in the Russian adaptation of “All Together Now!”
Oleg’s teaching expertise is recognised internationally. In 2015-2016 he gave masterclasses at Richard Wagner Conservatoire in Vienna, Austria. In 2019 Oleg was the head of the jury at the International Voice and Choir Competition “The City of Stars” in Moscow, Russia.
Oleg’s students have performed on major operatic and concert stages. His educational methods are based on simple explanations, a flexible approach to each individual and inspirational performance.
Kristina believes that learning piano should be an adventure; one filled with creativity, curiosity, and joy. With 30 years of teaching experience, she tailors every lesson to match each student’s personality, learning style, and interests.
Her approach blends rigorous foundational training, rooted in a specialist Russian music education, with plenty of playfulness and exploration. Whether students are learning their first notes or preparing for solo performance, Kristina focuses on nurturing confidence, creativity, and a genuine love for music.
Her goal is straightforward: to make every lesson inspiring and enjoyable. After all, when music feels magical, learning never feels like work.
Ethan began his musical journey at the age of 12, initially teaching himself for two years. Once he had mastered the basics, he was eager to take his playing to the next level through formal lessons. As his skills developed, Ethan began performing in school shows and was even the lead guitarist for his school’s carol concert at Victoria Hall.
With strong roots in rock and metal, Ethan grew up learning songs by Metallica and Black Sabbath. His passion for heavier genres led him to release two singles in this style. After receiving an unconditional offer from BIMM Institute in Birmingham, Ethan began teaching privately, helping others discover the power of music and all that it can offer.
With favourite bands including Trivium, Black Label Society, Bullet for My Valentine, and Avenged Sevenfold, it’s no surprise Ethan is a true metal machine. That said, he’s a versatile player who can comfortably perform across a wide range of genres, from blues and reggae to acoustic country ballads.
Ethan is now offering lessons at ODM Academy every Sunday.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, come and learn from one of our most passionate and dynamic new guitar teachers!
Ptolemy has been learning guitar since the age of 14 and has been playing and performing for over five years. Having grown up learning about all kinds of music from both his father and grandfather, his journey with guitar came naturally and quickly developed into a real passion.
That passion has since grown into a musical career far beyond learning at home. Ptolemy has performed in a variety of bands across genres including indie, pop, and ceilidh, playing at weddings, private events, and ticketed gigs. His live performance experience has helped develop both his confidence and versatility as a guitarist.
With experience learning and performing music in a range of settings, Ptolemy understands that the key to progression is enjoying the process. This is something he brings into every lesson he teaches.
Ptolemy tailors each lesson to the individual student’s goals, whether that’s working through graded exams, learning to read and understand sheet music, or simply playing the songs they love. His aim is to help students build confidence, develop their skills, and grow a genuine passion for music.
Alex later studied at Keele University, earning both a BA and an MA in Music Technology (2:1 and Distinction). During his time there, he trained under renowned Staffordshire drum kit educator Malcolm Garrett (Birmingham Jazz Conservatoire). He also founded a jazz/experimental project, Chameleon, with two university friends, performing original material and reimagined jazz and fusion standards.
Alongside his work as an audio-visual technician and drum teacher, Alex regularly performs with his own band, Millennial Sound, as well as with function and party bands through JukeJam and Alive Network.
With over 10 years of teaching experience, Alex tailors each lesson to the individual, whether that’s building solid grooves, preparing for graded exams, or learning the songs students have always wanted to play.
Lucinda is a multi-instrumentalist, performer and teacher from Staffordshire, specialising in Piano, Saxophone, Clarinet and Flute.
She recently graduated with a Master of Music degree from The Ohio State University in the USA, having previously studied Saxophone Performance at the prestigious Royal College of Music in London. Lucinda also attended Chetham’s School of Music and was a BBC Young Musician Woodwind Category Finalist.
An experienced and versatile performer, Lucinda has performed across a wide range of styles and settings, from classical solo recitals and concertos to jazz ensembles, saxophone quartets, musical theatre and function bands. During her studies in the USA, she also won The Ohio State University Concerto Competition and has performed concertos on both clarinet and saxophone.
Alongside her performance career, Lucinda has over 13 years of teaching experience and is passionate about providing inspiring, engaging tuition to students of all ages and abilities. She teaches Piano, Saxophone, Clarinet and Flute, and has successfully guided students through ABRSM examinations with a 100% pass rate.
Lucinda’s teaching goes beyond simply progressing through grades. She aims to develop well-rounded, confident musicians, helping each student establish clear personal and performance goals while developing the skills and understanding to enjoy music wherever their journey takes them.
Leah is a pianist, singer and Musical Director with a wealth of experience across performance, musical theatre and music education.
After beginning piano at the age of seven and progressing through her grades, Leah studied Music at the University of Surrey, specialising in Piano Performance, Jazz Studies and Musical Theatre. She later completed a Master’s degree at the prestigious Guildford School of Acting, achieving a Distinction in Musical Theatre Creation.
Leah went on to work professionally in London, performing and musically directing a number of West End and professional productions, including Miss Atomic Bomb at The Other Palace and A Christmas Carol at the Lyceum Theatre. Her career has also taken her to Walt Disney World in Florida, as well as working with ABRSM creating music examination syllabuses.
Now based back home in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Leah combines her professional experience with her passion for music education, teaching Piano and Singing at ODM Academy and across our partner schools, alongside teaching Music at a local secondary school.
Leah is also Musical Director for Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company, with recent productions including Hadestown: Teen Edition, Spring Awakening and Sweeney Todd, and is a member of the award-winning Six Town Sound ladies’ chorus.
Leah brings professional experience, expert musical knowledge and plenty of enthusiasm to every lesson, helping students develop their skills, confidence and, most importantly, their enjoyment of music.
Caiden is a guitarist, performer and one of the newest members of the ODM teaching team, bringing a fresh and enthusiastic approach to guitar tuition.
His passion for guitar began at the age of 11, and since then he has developed his playing through both independent study and extensive experience performing as a solo musician and as part of a variety of bands.
Caiden has pursued music throughout school and is currently studying BTEC Music Performance at Newcastle-under-Lyme College, with ambitions to continue his musical education at university.
An active musician within the local music scene, Caiden has performed and composed across a variety of genres, including rock, metalcore, shoegaze and psychedelic rock. In June 2025, he released the EP EX_NIHLO with his former band, THR33 SIXT33N.
Caiden particularly enjoys sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for guitar with others. His friendly and adaptable approach allows lessons to be tailored to each student’s interests, ability and musical goals, whether they are picking up a guitar for the very first time or looking to develop their existing skills.
With a genuine passion for both playing and talking about music, Caiden aims to make lessons enjoyable, encouraging and relevant, helping students build confidence while developing into their own individual style of guitarist.
Bio Coming soon
Having started playing at 3 years old, Oli found his passion for drumming at a very young age. Largely self- taught, his first public performance was whilst he was in Primary School, and since then he has added guitar, bass, piano and voice to his growing list of instruments.
Oli began teaching music privately at 16 years old whilst working in a local music shop in Stoke which after a short time closed down. This gave Oli the nudge he needed to branch out on his own and start ODM. Oli soon acquired a private client base of over 50 students and even more through his peripatetic teaching in schools which he’s now done for over 15 years. Music has always been an enormous part of his life, and ODM is an extension of himself in sharing his love of music with people of all ages.
Specialising in funk as a style, Oli is an experienced performer and has played in all manner of bands for all kinds of purposes: jazz bands, funk bands, cover bands, function bands, weddings, corporate events, and also playing for gigs overseas. Oli’s major inspiration comes from The Killers and their drummer, Ronnie Vannucci Jr and enjoys inspiring his students with the same love and passion that Ronnie performs with.
ODM encompasses everything that Oli loves about music: excellent performance, accessibility for everyone, and growing a passion for music of all genres.
Steve has been a keen guitar player from a young age. He found a fascination in the instrument through an upbringing of Rock & Metal music. Once he got to grips with the basics, it was a case of taking his new found skills to the next level. Having played in various local bands for a number of years, it wasn’t until 2013 that he found solace in metal outfit ‘I Am Pariah’ who he presently plays and composes for.
After years of being self taught, Steve realised that developing his musicality would require guidance and knowledge from tutors that understood his future vision. He quickly acquired his Rockschool grades and achieved Grade 8 within the current syllabus. Alongside the Rockschool grades, he believed that learning ABRSM music theory would be beneficial to his playing, as well as being able to understand the language of music in a better context; and so, also completed his music theory up to grade 5. Taking these grades has helped round him, not only a guitar player, but a musician in general.
Steve is currently teaching in several high schools in and around Stoke-on-Trent, as well as privately for ODM, with students ranging from school age to retirement, Steve’s ethos is that anyone can play guitar if they put their mind to it. You are never too old to start, no matter what genre you are into, so don’t be afraid to give it a try – focus on your goals!
Joe started to learn the drums at Primary School when he was 8 years old and was immediately hooked. He learnt from two of the most renowned Staffordshire drummers at the time, Paul Murfin and Ken Adams. Both of whom had huge experience as working drummers and they both had huge influence on him. He was taught in all styles, various technical and motion concepts and how to read notation.
Using the skills he had gained from both teachers, Joe gained an unconditional offer to study Professional Musicianship BA (Hons) at the British Institute of Modern Music in Manchester, without any grades, after impressing at his audition. Here he studied hard under the great tutelage of many teachers – most fondly, Luke Flowers in his Jazz Module (The Cinematic Orchestra, Bill Laurence and Corrine Bailey Rae).
Joe has varying musical influences, but he takes most inspiration from the multi faceted language of Jazz drummers. He adores the greats such as Tony Williams and Elvin Jones. Even more so, he listens to modern players who blend jazz improvisation with other musical language such as Chris Dave, Mark Colenburg, Henry Cole and Richard Spaven.
Throughout his study and since graduating, Joe has performed in varying scenarios. His highlights include working in house band onboard a cruise ship, recording in a television studio at Media City in Salford, performing across the UK in various festivals (Edinburgh/Manchester/Congleton Jazz Fest, Solfest and Equinox Festival), and also got a four page feature in Prog Magazine with original project Trojan Horse. He continues to work in several original and function projects as often as he can to hone his craft and cannot wait to share what knowledge he has with ODM students.
An internationally acclaimed opera singer, Oleg Loza combines 13 years of experience as a teacher with 19 years of classical music training.
Oleg started his musical journey as a pianist at Moscow Muradeli Music School, then graduated from Gnesin College as a choir conductor and received a Master’s Degree in opera singing and voice teaching from Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatoire.
Oleg made his professional debut on the stage of the Vienna Chamber Opera which was followed by principal roles at Zurich Opera House, Het Compagnie theater in Amsterdam, Trieste Opera, Nancy Opera and others.
Oleg has a strong media presence in his home country. In 2018 he was the finalist in “Success”, a voice competition on the main TV channel. He was also on the judges panel in the Russian adaptation of “All Together Now!”
Oleg’s teaching expertise is recognised internationally. In 2015-2016 he gave masterclasses at Richard Wagner Conservatoire in Vienna, Austria. In 2019 Oleg was the head of the jury at the International Voice and Choir Competition “The City of Stars” in Moscow, Russia.
Oleg’s students have performed on major operatic and concert stages. His educational methods are based on simple explanations, a flexible approach to each individual and inspirational performance.
Kristina believes that learning piano should be an adventure; one filled with creativity, curiosity, and joy. With 30 years of teaching experience, she tailors every lesson to match each student’s personality, learning style, and interests.
Her approach blends rigorous foundational training, rooted in a specialist Russian music education, with plenty of playfulness and exploration. Whether students are learning their first notes or preparing for solo performance, Kristina focuses on nurturing confidence, creativity, and a genuine love for music.
Her goal is straightforward: to make every lesson inspiring and enjoyable. After all, when music feels magical, learning never feels like work.
Ethan began his musical journey at the age of 12, initially teaching himself for two years. Once he had mastered the basics, he was eager to take his playing to the next level through formal lessons. As his skills developed, Ethan began performing in school shows and was even the lead guitarist for his school’s carol concert at Victoria Hall.
With strong roots in rock and metal, Ethan grew up learning songs by Metallica and Black Sabbath. His passion for heavier genres led him to release two singles in this style. After receiving an unconditional offer from BIMM Institute in Birmingham, Ethan began teaching privately, helping others discover the power of music and all that it can offer.
With favourite bands including Trivium, Black Label Society, Bullet for My Valentine, and Avenged Sevenfold, it’s no surprise Ethan is a true metal machine. That said, he’s a versatile player who can comfortably perform across a wide range of genres, from blues and reggae to acoustic country ballads.
Ethan is now offering lessons at ODM Academy every Sunday.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, come and learn from one of our most passionate and dynamic new guitar teachers!
Ptolemy has been learning guitar since the age of 14 and has been playing and performing for over five years. Having grown up learning about all kinds of music from both his father and grandfather, his journey with guitar came naturally and quickly developed into a real passion.
That passion has since grown into a musical career far beyond learning at home. Ptolemy has performed in a variety of bands across genres including indie, pop, and ceilidh, playing at weddings, private events, and ticketed gigs. His live performance experience has helped develop both his confidence and versatility as a guitarist.
With experience learning and performing music in a range of settings, Ptolemy understands that the key to progression is enjoying the process. This is something he brings into every lesson he teaches.
Ptolemy tailors each lesson to the individual student’s goals, whether that’s working through graded exams, learning to read and understand sheet music, or simply playing the songs they love. His aim is to help students build confidence, develop their skills, and grow a genuine passion for music.
Alex later studied at Keele University, earning both a BA and an MA in Music Technology (2:1 and Distinction). During his time there, he trained under renowned Staffordshire drum kit educator Malcolm Garrett (Birmingham Jazz Conservatoire). He also founded a jazz/experimental project, Chameleon, with two university friends, performing original material and reimagined jazz and fusion standards.
Alongside his work as an audio-visual technician and drum teacher, Alex regularly performs with his own band, Millennial Sound, as well as with function and party bands through JukeJam and Alive Network.
With over 10 years of teaching experience, Alex tailors each lesson to the individual, whether that’s building solid grooves, preparing for graded exams, or learning the songs students have always wanted to play.
Lucinda is a multi-instrumentalist, performer and teacher from Staffordshire, specialising in Piano, Saxophone, Clarinet and Flute.
She recently graduated with a Master of Music degree from The Ohio State University in the USA, having previously studied Saxophone Performance at the prestigious Royal College of Music in London. Lucinda also attended Chetham’s School of Music and was a BBC Young Musician Woodwind Category Finalist.
An experienced and versatile performer, Lucinda has performed across a wide range of styles and settings, from classical solo recitals and concertos to jazz ensembles, saxophone quartets, musical theatre and function bands. During her studies in the USA, she also won The Ohio State University Concerto Competition and has performed concertos on both clarinet and saxophone.
Alongside her performance career, Lucinda has over 13 years of teaching experience and is passionate about providing inspiring, engaging tuition to students of all ages and abilities. She teaches Piano, Saxophone, Clarinet and Flute, and has successfully guided students through ABRSM examinations with a 100% pass rate.
Lucinda’s teaching goes beyond simply progressing through grades. She aims to develop well-rounded, confident musicians, helping each student establish clear personal and performance goals while developing the skills and understanding to enjoy music wherever their journey takes them.
Leah is a pianist, singer and Musical Director with a wealth of experience across performance, musical theatre and music education.
After beginning piano at the age of seven and progressing through her grades, Leah studied Music at the University of Surrey, specialising in Piano Performance, Jazz Studies and Musical Theatre. She later completed a Master’s degree at the prestigious Guildford School of Acting, achieving a Distinction in Musical Theatre Creation.
Leah went on to work professionally in London, performing and musically directing a number of West End and professional productions, including Miss Atomic Bomb at The Other Palace and A Christmas Carol at the Lyceum Theatre. Her career has also taken her to Walt Disney World in Florida, as well as working with ABRSM creating music examination syllabuses.
Now based back home in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Leah combines her professional experience with her passion for music education, teaching Piano and Singing at ODM Academy and across our partner schools, alongside teaching Music at a local secondary school.
Leah is also Musical Director for Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company, with recent productions including Hadestown: Teen Edition, Spring Awakening and Sweeney Todd, and is a member of the award-winning Six Town Sound ladies’ chorus.
Leah brings professional experience, expert musical knowledge and plenty of enthusiasm to every lesson, helping students develop their skills, confidence and, most importantly, their enjoyment of music.
Caiden is a guitarist, performer and one of the newest members of the ODM teaching team, bringing a fresh and enthusiastic approach to guitar tuition.
His passion for guitar began at the age of 11, and since then he has developed his playing through both independent study and extensive experience performing as a solo musician and as part of a variety of bands.
Caiden has pursued music throughout school and is currently studying BTEC Music Performance at Newcastle-under-Lyme College, with ambitions to continue his musical education at university.
An active musician within the local music scene, Caiden has performed and composed across a variety of genres, including rock, metalcore, shoegaze and psychedelic rock. In June 2025, he released the EP EX_NIHLO with his former band, THR33 SIXT33N.
Caiden particularly enjoys sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for guitar with others. His friendly and adaptable approach allows lessons to be tailored to each student’s interests, ability and musical goals, whether they are picking up a guitar for the very first time or looking to develop their existing skills.
With a genuine passion for both playing and talking about music, Caiden aims to make lessons enjoyable, encouraging and relevant, helping students build confidence while developing into their own individual style of guitarist.
Bio coming soon
Email us at office@odmhq.co.uk
Call us on 01782 903261
4-6 Hill Street, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 1NL
Email us at
office@odmhq.co.uk
Call us on
01782 903261
4-6 Hill Street,
Stoke-on-Trent,
Staffordshire,
ST4 1NL
