Born in London, Ann-Marie was adopted as a baby and grew up in Stevenage, where her musical journey began.
This is Ann-Marie's story.
At St Chris, every teacher has a story, but listening to Ann-Marie recount her journey to becoming our Director of Senior School Music was as exciting as it was diverse.
From the very beginning, her passion for music and education blossomed despite a lack of advocacy from others, leading to a life filled with remarkable experiences and a deep dedication to helping students find their voice—both musically and personally.
From Girl Band Dreams to the Classroom
Like all interviews, we started at the beginning.
Ann-Marie’s early career is nothing short of extraordinary and those that know her will know she has wonderful stories to tell.
During studying music at Brunel University, she joined the Central Band of the British Legion, performing in iconic venues such as Buckingham Palace and even marching at Wimbledon finals, a live televised event. Reflecting on the challenges of performing with the band, she laughed as she recalled asking the conductor, “Do I focus on my feet, or my performance?”. Ann-Marie has certainly always maintained a great sense of humour in times of challenge. For those curious, the answer was feet!
Ann-Marie’s musical talents didn’t stop there—she disclosed that she was actually part of a girl band signed to Warner Records, performing on stages across Europe. However, when faced with pressures to conform to a specific image, she took the brave decision to leave. Despite stepping away from the band, Ann-Marie’s vocals remained on tracks even after her departure.
The decision to leave the commercial music world led her back to her first love: teaching. “When we were in sixth form, we had to do community service, and I taught a Year 7 music class. I still keep in touch with some of those students,” she says. This experience sparked a career-long passion for education.
A Teacher with a Master’s in Music Business
Ann-Marie reflected on several aspects of her life where she'd known she wanted to teach. The first instance was at just ten-years-old. It was just a year later where she shared this passion with her English teacher who advised her "don't do it". Unsurprisingly, this remark stuck with Ann-Marie throughout her career. Growing up, Ann-Marie's school reports noted that she should "speak up more" and she was "very quiet", a 'straight-A', highly academic student. Throughout her career, many people would continue to doubt Ann-Marie's potential - but (spoiler alert) this would not stop her.
Soon enough, she undertook a PGCE, still unsure that teaching was the right move. During this time, she worked alongside her tutor: "They were the opposite of everything I had believed in as a teacher. They believed that no one should know your first name, the football team you supported, your favourite colour, or anything to do with your personal life. So, it's safe to say we butted heads quite a lot! It made me think: "If this is teaching, I don't know if this is me"." Soon after, she went to work at a school in Suffolk that was set to close just one year later with the advice from the Head to "just have fun". In contrast to her training experience, this allowed Ann-Marie to give students profound new experiences both academic and co-curricular.
After the fact, she completed a Master’s degree in Music Business, specializing in contract and copyright law, earning a distinction. Though she was offered a position in a prestigious law firm, Ann-Marie felt a strong pull back to teaching.
“I missed the kids. I missed making a difference,” she shares.
Her teaching journey eventually brought her to St Chris, where she has spent 13 years shaping the School’s music programme and inspiring students across all year groups.
Adapting to Every Age Group
Ann-Marie’s role as Director of Senior School Music is as varied as her career path. She divides her time between the Senior School and Junior School, teaching everything from nursery songs to A-level compositions. “I’ve once turned up to an A-level lesson with the wrong materials,” she laughs, “so we analysed Mozart’s variations on Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star instead!”
When asked about her favourite age group to teach, Ann-Marie tactfully says, “Each has its own magic. Early Years students are so enthusiastic; middle school students are malleable and eager; and older students develop opinions and passions that you can help guide.”
Courageous Students, Memorable Performances
When asked to describe St Chris students, Ann-Marie immediately says, “Courageous.” She admires their willingness to embrace challenges and explore their talents. “They trust us enough to give things a go, even if it goes wrong,” she says.
Over her years at St Chris, Ann-Marie has directed countless performances, each with its own significance. One particularly special moment came during her first St Chris show in 2014 when she was pregnant. “It was the first time that I was not fully involved due to my health. Watching from the wings, I couldn't have been prouder. It was also the show where the tradition of students having the freedom to put the name on the back of my show hoodie began".
A Legacy of Individuality and Care
Ann-Marie’s own life experiences—being adopted, finding her voice in music, and defying the limiting expectations that others had pre-determined for her—have shaped her compassionate and inclusive approach to teaching. Whether she’s introducing A level students to advanced theory or helping nursery children write songs about socks, she embodies the St Chris ethos of meeting every child as an individual.
Ann-Marie’s journey is a powerful reminder that music, like education, is about far more than notes and rhythms—it’s about helping each student find their confidence and their own unique voice.