“One young client who has been coming for lessons who is SEND recently turned to me in lesson and said: ‘I love the way you teach me'”

Rhiannon Evans, Creative Infusions Music Education, BA English 2009 and MRes English, 2022

Rhiannon Evans started as a music tutor so that she could work around her own needs as a Postgraduate student. That has developed into a business that supports local Special Educational Needs and Disability Students and which, with the support of the University of Hull Music Department, is releasing a Christmas album this year.

Below, you can read about Rhiannon’s work with SEND children, how becoming first self-employed and then managing her own business has helped her to work flexibly with her own ongoing disability, and to foster a love of music in the next generation.

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Can you tell us a bit about your time at Hull?

I first attended the University of Hull in 2006 starting off studies with the Music & English department eventually gaining a 2:1 English Honours. I wanted to do a Master’s degree in Viking Mythology in 2009, but the recession hit and I had to move home to Wales.

In 2011 I became very ill and was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia/ M.E/Chronic Fatigue. From my sickbed I had a dream of returning to University to take my Master’s degree in Viking Mythology but I needed to find a way to fund my degree. The job had to be flexible to work with my ongoing disability. I needed to be self-employed to have this flexibility; cue music tutoring.  I would not have had my dream to continue in academia in Hull, if my journey the first time at University had not been so enjoyable.

What motivated you to set up Creative Infusions? What drives your approach to the business and the creative side of things?

Having a disability means I needed flexibility and control over my own working hours, hence becoming self-employed and now a limited company. I was always told I would make a good teacher and fell into the role of music tuition and creative arts tuition naturally thanks to years of extra-curricular activities as a youngster and a family who supported my music education from a young age.

People will always need music and the arts to create for the future, to cope with the present and explore that past. The creative side for most people is a chance of exploration and learning, which is exactly why I have developed CIME to be a Music Education business foremost.  Clients of all ages can learn for fun and to achieve. I take pleasure in seeing the person develop overtime.

How did you get involved with the Music Department at the University of Hull?

Early this year, I contacted the music department outlining some plans for CIME. One of those plans was a festive album, made up of a selection of songs composed by CIME clients. We met and discussed that a few of the Universities third year students may like to help out with the production of the album. CIME brought the songs and the university produced the album. We had a day in the studio, using the universities fantastic facilities and it wasn’t long until the album was finalised and came to fruition.  This exercise fitted nicely in to the university’s music, education and community module, which in a nutshell is also what CIME is about.

You work especially with SEND clients. Can you tell us about how music and how the approach you take can help those clients?

I’m delighted to say that CIME is getting a good name in the community for tutoring SEND clients of all ages. To me, the reward of observing how these clients learn and then adapting to how I can best teach them -often with drawings, bright colours, cue cards, patterns- really excites me as a teacher.

One young client who has been coming for lessons who is SEND recently turned to me in lesson and said: ‘I love the way you teach me’. They meant I was listening, planning, creating and sharing music skills with them mostly adapting with how their behaviour exhibits in each lesson.

You are releasing a Christmas Album. Can you tell us about the album – how did it come about, where can people find it, and what does it mean to you?

The CIME Festive Songs Album 2023 is a very special compilation of 12 songs written by CIME clients and community musicians. As a creative business, I teach clients how to write songs and this album is as eclectic as it comes! It showcases the range of abilities, diversities and skills that our clients have. Based in Hull, the album showcases the musical talents that are ripening in the city! Songs such as, ‘Hullians Winter Song’ give this album a local feel. 

To purchase the album within the UK, you can send £8.99+£2.99 via Paypal email address: rhiannon@cimemusicedu.co.uk  (last order date 16^th December), or from 27^th November you can stream the album on ITunes, AppleMusic, Spotify, Tidal, Deezer and Amazon. 

CIME has had a lot of fun making this album and hopes to make more in the future! A 2024 Christmas Carol album is already underway….

How can people find you and get involved in classes?

Creative Infusions Music Education Ltd will be at 189 Newland Avenue, Hull from 8^th January 2024! We will be offering Piano, Guitar, Clarient, Saxophone, Drum tuition for children and adults as well as CHIMES playgroups for the under 5’s and creative workshops. We also have a practice room and workshop space to hire.

For further details, please head to our website: www.cimemusicedu.co.uk

We look forward to welcoming our community to team CIME!