World-class tutors. Real results.

Who are the music teachers at Ritz?

Meet specialist music teachers in Richmond, serving Twickenham, Kew, Kingston and West London. Piano, guitar, drums, violin, singing and more.

• Conservatoire-trained — Every Ritz teacher holds formal conservatoire qualifications from leading music colleges in the UK and internationally.
• Active professional musicians — Our teachers maintain active performance careers — bringing first-hand professional insight into every lesson.
• Specialist by instrument — Piano, guitar (acoustic, electric, classical, bass), drums, violin, cello, singing, saxophone, clarinet, flute, trumpet and more.
• Trumpet tuition — Gary L also teaches the trumpet.
• DBS checked — All teachers working with children and young people are fully DBS checked and professionally insured.
• Junior Programme specialists — Dedicated children's music teachers experienced in teaching students of all ages.
• Matched to you — Our studio manager matches you with the most suitable teacher based on your instrument, level, goals and schedule.

Michael S is one of London’s most respected vocal coaches, a signed recording artist, and the co-founder of Ritz Music Studio — a leading music education hub in Richmond, London. With over 25 years of professional experience, Michael has built a reputation for delivering world-class music education that blends classical foundations with contemporary performance, songwriting, and music production.

As a performer, Michael’s career has taken him across the world, performing to audiences of up to 100,000 in the UK, Europe, and South Africa. During his time in South Africa, he also worked alongside Nelson Mandela in support of the Unite Against Hunger charity, combining his passion for music with meaningful humanitarian work.

Michael has coached and collaborated with some of the most recognisable names in the music industry, including Harry Styles, One Direction, Duran Duran, James Arthur, Blue, and Westlife. He has also worked with chart-topping artists such as The Wanted, McFly, The Black Eyed Peas, Kylie Minogue, Christina Aguilera, and Ozzy Osbourne. In addition, he has coached finalists on The X Factor, The Voice, and Britain’s Got Talent, and worked with major record labels including Universal Music Group, Polydor Records, and Virgin Records.

What sets Michael apart is that his expertise comes directly from a career at the highest level — performing and recording professionally on international stages and in world-class studios. He draws on this experience to guide students through every stage of their musical development, including vocal technique, breath control, pitch, tone, range, agility, vocal health, stage presence, confidence, stylistic versatility, audition preparation, and professional performance skills.

Michael co-founded Ritz Music Studio to create a supportive, high-quality environment where both students and teachers can thrive. The studio has since grown into a recognised creative hub, offering tuition, rehearsal space, mentorship, instruments, and performance opportunities — while building clear, real-world pathways into the music and creative industries. His teaching and recruitment philosophy focuses on transferable skills such as songwriting, performance, production, and industry awareness, preparing students not just to learn music, but to use it confidently and professionally.

At the heart of Michael’s work is a commitment to ethical, inclusive, and modern music education. Ritz Music Studio champions accessible tuition, fair and sustainable working conditions for educators, freelance flexibility, and a forward-thinking approach to teaching that embraces all genres and contemporary creative practice. It represents a new model for music education — and one of the first of its kind in its approach to teacher independence, studio access, and student progression.