Our Staff
We are very lucky at Funky Monkey to have a diverse and talented group of musicians bringing our classes to life. Read more about them here!
Ali Edwards, Director, Founder & Teacher
I launched Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes in 2003, as I had always been inspired to educate children not only in the art and discipline of learning an instrument, but also how to read and write their own music. The electronic keyboard seemed the perfect choice being an inexpensive, accessible instrument, with the added bonus of headphones to aid concentration within a group session.
My own musical career all began with a Casio keyboard, which in turn inspired me to take up the piano age 7, followed by the oboe age 11. After gaining Grade 8 on both instruments, I then auditioned successfully onto the specialist music course at Peter Symonds College, Winchester, and then again to Birmingham Conservatoire where I completed a BMus (Hons) and MMus (Dist) in music performance.
As I moved back to London, it was my private teaching practice that built rapidly and it was this that motivated me to write my own set of books to encourage children to enjoy learning an instrument in a group environment. Now, the business takes up all my working time, alongside having a busy family of my own! I also run weekly piano lessons for children and grown ups and fun 'crash courses' for beginner adults, which often involves a lot of laughter, patience from both sides and occasionally a spot of 'dutch courage' for those extra nervous pupils!
VICTORIA - IPSWICH/STREATHAM
Joined 2003
Victoria is principally a flautist and second study pianist and has a CV bursting with experience in various workshops and mime and music based activities throughout the UK.
She has an extremely busy schedule teaching in various schools during the day and is the longest serving member of the Funky Monkey team to date, having joined us right back in 2003! Her classes are consistently lively, engaging, always enjoyable and she has an excellent rapport with both pupils and parents (and incredible patience, I might add) She has seen endless pupils through our scheme and gleaned fantastic exam results through our Trinity Syllabus year upon year. She has now moved from London to Ipswich and is helping launch our classes here as well as returning to London to teach.
ANTONIO - CLAPHAM/HERNE HILL
Joined 2021
Antonio is a classically trained pianist, keyboardist and music producer with over 10 years of experience in music. His passion and love for music have led him to work with recording studios, brands and talented creatives across Europe. As a teacher, Antonio now has more than 4 years of experience in working with pupils of mixed ages and skills, including keyboard/piano lessons, music workshops and piano accompaniment for vocal classes.
Antonio completed two degrees. Including a BA degree in Music Production & Performance at the University Of East London and an MMus in Composing for Screen at Kingston University. He is fluent in English and Italian and has many cousins, so working with kids is a breeze!
DAN - BALHAM/TOOTING BEC
Joined 2018
Dan has been playing music for most of his life and will proudly tell you that keyboards are his main instrument! He passed his Grade 8 Piano with distinction in 2010, then went on to study at Goldsmiths College and graduated with a degree in Popular Music in 2014.
As a teacher, Dan teaches students of all abilities both at home and in schools. He has a wide age range of students - from 4 to 65! His passion for teaching music came from receiving great tuition when he was growing up, and now works hard to ensure his students understand and enjoy their lessons, connect with their instrument and get the most out of music.
As a performer, Dan plays keyboards in many different bands and projects. He enjoys playing all styles of music, including rock, jazz, blues, pop and theatre music and is currently working on a new single with his Glam-Pop band Showboy!
NAOMI - SEVENOAKS
Joined 2011
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I have been playing the piano since I was 4 years old, coming from a musical family, playing duets with my mum was something we loved to do! I worked through the ABRSM piano classical grades. I’m a mum of 3 children, so life is busy and fun, and alongside family life I have a wealth of experience working with children of all age groups and abilities, within school environments and one to one tutoring. I have worked for Ali at FMKC for over 13 years now and have introduced music to so many students, which is valuable and rewarding. I’m enthusiastic and fun, and feel this is key to engaging students and helping them reach their full potential.