Meet the Thirst Music team
We're proud of each and every one of our team! Here are their portfolios...Wayne Mahy
Director/Head of Drums
Wayne started playing drums at the age of 19 when a friend introduced him to the instrument. Over the next five years, he performed in various bands as well as playing in his church in Guernsey, Channel Islands.
In September 2004, Wayne moved to the UK to study drums and percussion full time at Tech Music School (formerly Drumtech) in Acton, London.
He gained the Diploma in Popular Music Performance, a qualification which is accredited by Thames Valley University. While in London, Wayne studied under some of the best session/freelance drummers in the UK, such as Francis Seriau (Founder of Drumtech), Mick Morena and Erik Stams (as seen teaching Aled Jones on the BBC programme Play it Again).
After graduating, Wayne moved to Southampton and started to teach drums on a part-time basis to students in the surrounding region. He also got involved in local Jazz/Funk band Manuka Honey, playing gigs in Southampton.
Wayne now lives in Guernsey and teaches drums professionally. In 2008, he set up DrumWorks providing drum lessons to over one hundred students per week. Since then, he has entered many students for exams all of whom have achieved success and have continued to become stronger musicians.
With a view to meeting demand for tuition in other popular musical instruments in Guernsey, in February 2013 Thirst Music School was born. In 2020, Wayne achieved the RSL Level 6 Professional Diploma (Creative Enterprise) and continually looks to improve his skills both as a musician and an educator.
Lisa Murfitt
Deputy Head, Keyboard/Piano/Vocal Tutor
Lisa’s initial musical background was that of a classically trained flautist through the Guernsey Music Centre. However, her love of harmony led her to seek out keyboard skills at home. In her teens, Lisa was heavily involved in church music groups which laid the foundations for her ability to sight sing and improvise vocal harmonies.
After gaining an A grade at both GCSE and A-Level Music, as well as attaining Grade 8 in Flute, Lisa went on to study Music and Related Arts at Chichester University. Here her experiences were widened greatly through Jazz, Rock and free Improvisation and Related Arts, as well as performances in the UK and Europe with the Chichester University Chamber Choir and free improvisation group Pivo Prosim.
Following her degree, Lisa went on to Study a PGCE in Secondary Music Education at Bath Spa University, and later completed her NQT year in Carisbrooke High school in the Isle of Wight, where she taught Key Stage 3, GCSE, AS- and A-level music.
Since 2002, Lisa has returned to Guernsey with her husband and has taught both privately and through Prelude Music School, Music Centre and Adult Education. She has also spent four years as the keyboard player and vocalist with the popular Guernsey function band The Bandits, also playing with Top Banana, Wild Card and Elysium.
Lisa is also a keen writer and acoustic performer and performs covers as well as her own songs at various local venues.
Lisa’s passion is to be part of the local music scene and, through teaching, to enable others to share in the pleasure of playing music and performing with other people.
Steve Le Poidevin
Head of Guitar
Steve has been playing both electric and acoustic guitar since he was eleven years old. With over ten years of teaching experience, he brings a real passion and energy to his lessons. Some of Steve’s previous students have continued their music studies in the UK either at university or at BIMM. Steve’s passion for the electric guitar in particular, has seen him play in local band The Boogie Men while more recently he has joined a function band enabling him to play anything from contemporary music to good old rock n’ roll!
Carly Tucknott
Head of Vocal Studies
After studying music to A-level at school, Carly successfully completed her ABRSM grade 8 exams in piano, voice and clarinet. During the following years, she has been a member of several local choirs, has established vocal quartet ‘Fourtissimo’, is lead singer in the function bands ‘Tailor Made‘ and ‘Underdog’ and more recently has formed acoustic trio ‘Carlzberg & The Champagne Flutes’ (along with fellow Thirst tutor Naomi Burton and familiar face on the local music scene, Charlie Holmes) all of which are regularly booked for events such as garden parties and weddings. Carly has competed in the Guernsey Eisteddford many times and enjoys busking and performing locally whenever the opportunity arises. Carly is experienced in many vocal styles from pop through to classical and especially loves musical theatre and has performed in many local amateur productions. Her particular specialism is the soprano voice and she believes that there’s no note too high to be reached! Carly is passionate about singing and is keen to pass on her enthusiasm, skills and experience to her students.
Felix Rice
Drum Tutor
Felix enjoyed playing musical instruments from an early age. Beginning with the violin during primary school, he then found a love for the percussive side of music and also began learning orchestral percussion. During secondary school, Felix continued to explore his interest in rhythmic instruments, transitioning to learn the drum kit along side general percussion. By the end of secondary school, Felix had gained a Grade 8 qualification in both percussion and the drum kit, awarded by the Trinity and Rockschool examination boards respectively.
Felix has gained experience playing in various wind bands, orchestras and jazz bands with the Guernsey Music Service. He has also enjoyed gigging as a member of jazz band ‘All That Jazz‘, with whom he played at various private events. The band also performed as finalists in the Specsavers ‘Reach for a Star’ competition in 2011.
After attending university for 3 years, Felix is now enjoying spreading his love and knowledge for the drum kit in order to help his students be the best drummers they can be.
Morgan Lambert
Guitar/Bass Tutor
Morgan started playing the guitar at the age of 13 and has enjoyed playing in several bands which has fuelled his passion for music. One of these bands, ‘Just Smile’, won the Thirst Music School Battle of the School Bands competition in 2020, performing songs from artists such as Ozzy Osbourne, Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix.
Morgan achieved a grade 8 in guitar while studying at Thirst. He is very passionate not only about helping people to learn to play the guitar and reach their full potential, but also about encouraging them to play with other musicians to elevate their skills further. Morgan enjoys playing many genres of music ranging from metal to pop and blues.
Deborah Lawson
Piano Tutor
Deborah studied for a DipHE at King Alfred’s College in Winchester and then went on to graduate with a BA Honours Degree from the City of London Polytechnic. Since then she has gained experience working in primary schools whilst studying for a PGCE.
Deborah also completed a level 4 PTLLS course 10 years ago qualifying her to teach in the lifelong learning sector. Having started playing the piano as a child, Deborah returned to learning in later life and passed her ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory exam with Distinction. Deborah has now achieved her ABRSM Grade 8 in Piano with Merit.
She is passionate about music, teaching, playing the piano and has been an active member of a local choir in recent years. Having also had experience of teaching privately, Deborah is really enjoying the more structured format of teaching at Thirst.
Joe Ingrouille
Guitar/Ukulele Tutor
Joe started playing guitar aged 11 and has been playing in local bands and recording music ever since. He has played at local venues including the Fermain Tavern and The Vault and at events such as Vale Earth Fair and Chaos. His band ‘Dead Steady’ won Thirst’s ‘Battle of the Bands’ competition in 2018. Having achieved an A grade in GCSE Music, which involved song-writing and performing, Joe is still invited back to St Sampson’s High School to play bass guitar in its orchestras and jazz band. Joe is passionate about the guitar and enjoys sharing his enthusiasm with others. He recognises the freedom of expression that playing a musical instrument offers and is keen to help others realise their musical potential. Joe’s musical influences include Red Hot Chili Peppers, Gary Moore, Thin Lizzy, Rush and Bob Dylan to name but a few.
Kiya Ashton
Vocal Tutor
Kiya started out fronting rock bands including The Violet Diversion with songs from Evanescence and Papa Roach. Her solo project has now developed into a bigger sound as she is joined by band The Folkadelics, exploring a variety of genres, sounds and techniques. Kiya takes her inspiration from the vocalists of Paramore, The Cranberries, Tori Amos, AFI, and even Korn. Her voice also featured on the soundtrack of local film Occupied with a special arrangement of Sarnia Cherie which she later performed at the 2022 Liberation Hangar Ball. With six years of song writing experience, Kiya has released two original EPs demonstrating the progression of her music, and has recently composed the soundtrack for local short film ‘At Death We Part’.
As an avid event organiser, Kiya worked on the Upload Festival during lockdown and continued to support local solo & acoustic acts through the Guernsey Gigs Unplugged Club and stages at Arts Sunday.
Kiya has gained a Grade 8 qualification in Vocals with distinction and also has a BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Music with distinction. She very much enjoys sharing her passion for the voice with her students!
Bethan Batiste
Piano/Saxophone/Clarinet Tutor
Bethan’s love of music began during her school years where she began learning the clarinet and eventually progressed to achieving her Grade 8 qualification in addition to gaining her GCSE and A-level grades in Music. She also studied the piano and saxophone during this time. On leaving school, Bethan took a course in woodwind repairs and completed her Level 3 qualification in Education and Training.
When Bethan is not teaching, she can be found playing in the Guernsey Jazz Orchestra and the Symphonic Wind Band.
Michael Davies
Drum / Music Production Tutor
Michael started drumming at the age of 7. After working his way up to achieving grade 8 with Distinction, he gained four years of teaching experience at Thirst during which time he also achieved a Distinction for the Level 4 Diploma in Performance. Michael then headed off to the University of Nottingham where he achieved a first class honours degree in Music and Music Technology specialising in performance and recording. Additionally, Michael has grades in music theory as well as extensive experience in numerous bands, ranging all the way from jazz to folk, to heavy metal. His bands won both the first 2016 Thirst Battle of the School Bands and the Nottingham Band Society 2023 Battle of the Bands. You can see a photo of him playing drums in the Thirst Battle of the School Bands on the wall in the reception of Thirst! Michael loves helping people learn, teaching them how to play to their full potential and has a 100% pass rate for his students who have taken graded exams. His passion for music has led him to pursue a career in teaching, performance, recording and mixing. Although drums are his main instrument, Michael also plays guitar, bass, piano and occasionally sings.
Jaeden Mordecai
Drum Tutor
Jaeden grew up surrounded by music, listening to a variety of genres from pop to rock to heavy metal. He started playing drums at the age of 11 when he first laid his eyes on the drum kit at high school and he began having lessons with Wayne. He went on to achieve a distinction at Grade 8 and fell in love with playing, learning and later, teaching.
Over the last few years, Jaeden has played in a variety of bands including The Guernsey Grammar School’s Show band (while studying A-Level Music). Currently he drums for Neon Fire, a Brit-Pop style band who play for local weddings, shows and in venues across the island.
Having completed his A-Levels, Jaeden now enjoys spreading the knowledge and enjoyment that drumming and music offer, helping his students find freedom and happiness in playing an instrument.
Adam Reece
Piano Tutor
Adam was part of the Manchester Dance Music scene in the 1990s and one track, The Deep, reached number one in the industry standard UK Buzz Charts and was the first white label to be released by 3 Beat Records.
In the late 1990s Adam moved to Galway in Ireland and formed the band Medicine Man. His CD Filling in time secured a publishing deal with Gaell Lynn and the band toured and performed throughout Ireland and Europe. In 2001 Adam began a career at sea that would span over twenty years playing the piano on some of the world’s most prestigious cruise lines, including Cunard, Royal Caribbean, Seabourne. Saga, P & O and Fred Olsen.
Whilst at sea, Adam studied for a Master’s degree and a PhD, and successfully defended his thesis at the University of Roehampton in 2015, looking at how music can enhance communication skills in children. He went on to teach music and practice music therapy at alternate educational establishments throughout Cornwall up until 2023 when he came to Guernsey to take up a post at ‘Les Voies School’ where he is part of the Education Outreach Team. Adam also teaches music at different schools around the island. In addition, he is still actively writing and composing new music for local singer, Emily Fern and regularly performs at live music venues around the island.
Lorraine Mahy
Administration Manager
Lorraine is usually working away behind the scenes to make sure that everything at Thirst runs smoothly. As well as organising timetables for all tutors, she deals with the finances, ordering of supplies, event planning, exam entries and anything else which may be required!