Musician & Multi-Instrumentalist
A multi-instrumentalist with a heart in woodwind — clarinet, saxophone, flute and beyond. Heading to the University of York in autumn 2026 to explore where music, people, and wellbeing meet.
Portrait by a friend, 2025
About
I started playing piano at three years old, and music has been at the centre of everything since. Over the years that early love grew into something much wider — clarinet, saxophone, singing, bass guitar, and a deep fascination with what music does to people.
It was a day spent with Our Dementia Choir, as part of a placement with Nottinghamshire's Inspire Music, that gave me real clarity on the direction I want to go. Watching music reach people in ways that words can't — that stayed with me. It's shaped everything from the modules I'm excited to study at York, to the work I do now as a teaching assistant.
I'm a sixth-former at The Minster School, Southwell, heading to the University of York in autumn 2026 to study Music — with an interest in music psychology, ethnomusicology, and the ways music intersects with health and wellbeing.
"After speaking to members of Our Dementia Choir, it fundamentally changed my perspective on the impact of music — I've always wanted a career related to music, teaching, and helping others, but not until having those conversations did I truly realise how important this was."
Personal Statement, 2025Instruments
Rooted in woodwind — clarinet, baritone sax, tenor sax, flute — and extending across piano, voice, and bass guitar. Taya brings genuine versatility to every ensemble she joins, with a particular gift for coaxing warmth and grace from the bigger, brasher horns.
Grade 6 Merit (ABRSM). Pit band across four school musicals. Performed in Minster masterclass with Jess Gillam.
Grade 6 Merit (ABRSM). School piano competition winner twice. Playing since age three.
Learnt Tenor Sax and Baritone Sax to Grade 6+ standard for Shrek the Musical. Community and ensemble performance.
Sings tenor and alto in choral works. Annual Handel's Messiah performer at Southwell Minster.
Arranged and performed in a skiffle band for One Man Two Guvnors — entirely student-led.
Strong theoretical foundation underpinning all performance and compositional work.
Experience
Inspire Culture — Nottingham Music Hub, Newark on Trent
Supporting professional instrumental tutors delivering music education to children and young people across Nottinghamshire. Spent a formative day with Our Dementia Choir — observing first-hand the impact of music on mental health and memory. Consistently praised by Inspire staff for warmth, reliability, and a natural way with learners.
Lowe's Wong Junior School, Southwell
Supported classroom teachers with primary-age pupils across small-group activities, reading support, and classroom routines. Confirmed a genuine enjoyment of working with children and an interest in a teaching-related career.
Reach Learning, Southwell
Regular community volunteering including horticultural and kitchen maintenance tasks. Achieved five-star feedback from the site manager.
The Minster School, Southwell
Leads three school ensembles — a training orchestra, a jazz band, and a concert band. As Performing Arts Leader, organises ticket sales and coordinates competitions for junior students. Pit musician across four school musicals, including learning three new instruments to performance standard for Shrek the Musical.
Education
The Minster School, Southwell · 2024–2026
Analytical depth across three creative disciplines — musicology and score analysis, critical interpretation, and directing in drama.
The Minster School, Southwell
Strong across sciences and humanities alongside the arts. Full suite including Drama (7), Spanish (7), RE (7), and Further Maths (6).
Target: Summer 2026
Primary instrument. Performed in Minster masterclass with saxophonist Jess Gillam. Extensive ensemble and pit band experience.
Target: Autumn 2026
Playing since age three. Won the school piano competition twice.
ABRSM, 2021
Strong theoretical foundation supporting A-level musicology and score analysis.
Commencing Autumn 2026
Looking forward to modules in music psychology and ethnomusicology — exploring how music connects with health, wellbeing, and community.
Get in touch
Whether you're looking for a committed young musician, a teaching assistant with a natural warmth for learners, or simply want to say hello — I'd love to hear from you.
tjbrownbill@icloud.com