
Catherine Shrubshall
Educationalist
With over 40 years of experience, Catherine Shrubshall is an accomplished instrumental tutor and music educator, offering private lessons in London and Essex. Specializing in saxophone, clarinet, and ensemble coaching, Catherine has taught at prestigious institutions like the Centre for Young Musicians (CYM) and Camden Junior Music School, inspiring students of all ages. Her teaching philosophy focuses on a blend of technical mastery and creative improvisation, helping her students build confidence as performers. Catherine is also a co-founder of several music education companies, leading innovative projects across the UK.
Instrumental tutor
Private teaching practice in London and Essex since 1983
London’s Centre for Young Musicians (CYM) – instrumental tutor and ensemble leader
Camden Junior Music School – recorder and ensemble tutor
Centre for Young Musicians (CYM) – saxophone tutor and ensemble leader
Peripatetic teaching for many boroughs of London and the home counties incl: Haringey, Tower Hamlets, Richmond, Enfield, Essex, Hertfordshire Private teaching practice in Camden Junior Music School – recorder specialist and ensemble tutor
Private teaching practice in London and Essex since 1983
“Catherine is a very special teacher. My son started learning saxophone with her when he was 9 years old and from the start he fell in love with the instrument and with her lessons. Almost 10 years on, my son is a confident and competent saxophonist, and has also started teaching, with Catherine’s help. Catherine always makes learning fun, but is also rigorous and demanding. She also gets her pupils improvising right from the start, which – as a classically-trained musician who always wanted to be able to improvise – I was very envious of! I have encountered many music teachers over the years and I can say without hesitation that Catherine is one of the very best. I cannot recommend her highly enough!”
Dr Laudan Nooshin - Senior Lecturer in Ethnomusicology, City University, London
Music Education Company Co-Founder and Co-Director
Barrier Breakers – registered charity
As you Like It – Music Management and Music Education Agency
Live Music Horizons –Youth and adult music courses
“Catherine is a stunning musician – seeing and hearing her play saxophone is one of life’s great pleasures! She communicates joy, pain and excitement in the way only music can. Catherine is also blessed with the ability to share her skill with people of all ages and backgrounds through her teaching – she inspires and motivates us all. Catherine is a brilliant project manager and events’ organiser, creative and well organised, she adds a sparkle to whatever she decides to do.”
Carrie Supple – Founder of “Journey to Justice” www.journeytojustice.org.uk
Music Education Project leader
Leading student street bands for education projects (incl: City Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall)
Developing work for “Glyndebourne Opera” outreach projects (incl: Prudential Awards Ceremony at the Olivier Theatre)
Collaborating with East London Schools and the “Academy of St Martin in the Fields”
Tutor for Open Access Holiday Courses for London’s “Centre for Young Musicians”
Associate Musician for “English National Ballet” – Dance for Parkinson’s programme https://www.ballet.org.uk/project/dance-for-parkinsons/
Ensemble Coach
Tutoring youth ensembles
Overseeing student recording projects
Running improvisation workshops
Facilitating sessions performance preparation
Adjudicator for “Bishops Stortford College” Music Competitions www.bishopsstortfordcollege.org/college-life/music/
CPD Teacher Training Coordinator
CPD Training for Kent Music Services and CYM – implementing improvisation in to instrumental teaching practice in schools
Music School Director
Director of Music for “Young Music Makers” music school in North London www.youngmusicmakers.co.uk
Music Education Company Co-Founder and Co-Director
Barrier Breakers – registered charity incl: ACE funded projects
As you Like It –Music Education Agency
Live Music Horizons –Youth and adult holiday music courses
