In with the New

From January 2025 we offer two new locations, in Ackworth and Darrington. After 36 years, we’re leaving behind our Pontefract Town Centre location, which served us well in the past, in favour of quiet out of town locations which will serve us better in the future. We’ll continue to provide the best music education, but in a calmer, more comfortable setting, away from the noise and bustle of the town centre.

It’s a Full House – Distinctions All Round

The last few weeks have seen seven Northern Music Academy students take piano grade exams, ranging from Grade one to five, and yes, all seven were awarded distinctions. All of them study piano with one of our dynamic duo, the singular father/daughter team of Darrell Priestley and Jessica Laughton. Marks ranged from 87% to 96%.

Set your aspirations ever so high, and we will help you work to achieve them. While some may call this excellence, we prefer to think of it as business as usual.

November – ABRSM Piano

Grade 2 Jazz Piano – Freddie Laughton – Age 8 

Passed with Distinction

December – Trinity Piano

Grade 1 – Evan Geng – Age 9

Passed with  Distinction

Grade 2 – Alfie Chunnoo – Age 14

Passed with  Distinction

Grade 3 – Ferdinand Clarkson  – Age 12

Passed with  Distinction

Grade 5 – Ethan Xiao – Age 15

Passed with  Distinction

Grade 5 – Mia Xiao – Age 12

Passed with  Distinction

Grade 5 – Isabella Flint – Age 14

Passed with  Distinction

Special commendations to the following: Isabella Flint, age 14, for achieving full marks with all three pieces she performed at piano grade 5; Ethan Xiao, 15 yrs, and sister Mia, 12 yrs, for being our first brother and sister to both achieve distinction in grade five piano within minutes of each other; Freddie Laughton, for being our youngest ever recipient of a distinction in Grade 2 Jazz Piano having just turned 8 years of age; and to Ferdinand Clarkson’s mother Helena, for not letting a little thing like her car breaking down prevent her from getting her son out of school and to Leeds in time to achieve Distinction with 94% in his Grade 3 exam. So proud of you all.

Darrell Priestley, Eileen Priestley, Jessica Laughton.

Northern Music Academy

– 36 successful years and counting.

New Guitar Teacher

Northern Music Academy is pleased to welcome Saxon Gidney as the latest teacher for Guitar, Bass, Ukulele and Banjo. Saxon covers most styles of guitar, including acoustic, electric and classical too. Like other teachers who appear at the Academy each week, Saxon is degree qualified, graduating after three years of in depth study at Leeds Conservatoire, as so many of our teachers before him.

Piano Exam Results

Another fine set of exam results sees high achievement for students in our summer Piano entry with Trinity College, with many students lining up to take exams later in the year.

Summer ’24 – Trinity Piano Grades

Grade 4 – Isabella Flint – Age 14

Passed with Distinction

Grade 3 – Anna Hughes

Passed with merit