Meet the team

Although his degree is in Art History, John Finnon has played and taught music his entire career, mainly with Gateshead Education Authority where he was Head of Strings until 2014. He now teaches privately and at Newcastle University, as well as with CMWS which he helped to found. 

Originally a cello and Double bass specialist, John’s love of early music, led him to the lute repertoire he specialises in with his guitar teaching, and also to the viol which he has enabled so many adults and young people to play.

Many students who have had instruments on long term loan from him will attest to his accomplishment as an instrument maker, a hobby originating he says, “because I could not afford all the instruments  I needed,”  but has more recently expanded,  leading  him to make copies of rare 16^th century instruments  from collections in London and Venice. 

Originally from Worcestershire, Neil moved to the North East in 2006 to study music at Newcastle University, specialising in composition, conducting and analysis. He spent time studying at the Gothenburg Academy of Music and Drama, Sweden, before returning to Newcastle to complete his masters with a full scholarship from the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Since graduating, he has taught at the Royal Grammar School and is currently Director of Music at Dame Allan's Schools.

Since finishing university six years ago, Anna Jackson has worked as a violin teacher and performer and also teaches classical guitar. As a teacher she places an emphasis on performance and violin technique in her lessons. She has built up a large teaching practice in both Gateshead and rural Northumberland where she lives. As a performer she plays as part of the Jazz quintet Fugue State, on violin and vocals, as well as performing the classical violin repertoire as both a soloist, and as part of a violin and guitar duo.