Meet the Thirst Music team
We're proud of each and everyone of our team! Here are their portfolios...Our keyboard and piano tutors
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.
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.
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.
Imogen Hayman
Piano/Vocal Tutor
From a very young age, Imogen enjoyed singing and experimenting with music and she began her musical journey by studying piano, guitar and music theory.
Throughout her childhood, Imogen participated in various school and church choirs, including the Castel Church Choir and the Sarnian Singers. She was also a dedicated and active participant in the Guernsey Eisteddfod for many years.
At 15, Imogen completed her work experience at Thirst and was subsequently offered a part-time position teaching piano. This continued until August 2021, when Imogen left the island to pursue her university studies.
Imogen achieved a Degree in Music Industry Practice from the Academy of Contemporary Music and later completed a Master’s in Creative Industry Futures. During her time in the UK, she had the privilege of studying under industry professionals, such as the renowned Tim Hawes (Ivor Novello award-winning songwriter). As well as being skilled in vocals, piano and music theory, Imogen is also accomplished in songwriting and music production. While at university, Imogen joined the local pop group Methodical Madness, which began by covering songs to raise money for charity. In 2023, the group shifted to creating original music and quickly rose through the charts, with their singles reaching number one in both Luxembourg and Iceland. To date, they have accumulated over 16 million streams and plan to continue releasing new music regularly.