ABOUT TEACHERS ROCK®
Singing. Learning. Connecting. Inspiring.
Teachers Rock® is a vocal learning and singing organisation bringing teachers, young people and adult singers together through high-quality, inclusive musical experiences.
OUR MISSION
Teachers Rock® exists to inspire and empower people through singing, creating inclusive opportunities for musical development, connection and personal growth. We embrace cultural diversity and celebrate the many voices, experiences and musical influences that make our communities unique.
From teachers and education professionals to adult singers and young people, we create opportunities to develop confidence, creativity and musicianship through high-quality, contemporary singing experiences.
THE TEACHERS ROCK® APPROACH
INCLUSIVE
We welcome singers of different ages, abilities, backgrounds and experiences, embracing cultural diversity and celebrating the many voices that make up our community.
ASPIRATIONAL
We create high-quality musical experiences that challenge, inspire and encourage singers to develop their voices, musicianship and confidence.
CONNECTED
We bring people together through shared musical experiences, creating communities that cross generations, classrooms and traditional boundaries.
EMPOWERING
We use singing to build confidence, creativity and a sense of belonging, supporting people to discover their voice and realise their potential.
Our Story
Teachers Rock® began in 2012 as an innovative vocal CPD programme created by Debbie Kent to give education professionals the opportunity to experience contemporary choir singing alongside like-minded colleagues.
Through rock, gospel, soul, Motown and funk, Teachers Rock® created a new way for teachers and school staff to develop their voices, musicianship and confidence while discovering the power of contemporary ensemble singing.
Today, that vision has grown into a wider vocal learning platform connecting education professionals, adult singers and young people through choirs, performance opportunities, professional development and digital resources.
OUR EDUCATIONAL APPROACH
Supporting Teachers. Inspiring Young People.
Teachers Rock® continues to support those working in education through contemporary vocal CPD, practical resources and high-quality singing experiences.
We believe that when teachers experience the confidence, creativity and connection that singing can bring, they are better equipped to inspire singing within their own schools and communities.
Our work also creates opportunities for young people to see their teachers beyond the traditional classroom environment — sharing music, performing together and experiencing the positive relationships that collaborative singing can create.
Meet Our Founder & Musical Director
Debbie Kent
A trusted and well respected figure in Music Education, Debbie has over 20 years leadership experience in representing Music Education across the South West and an extensive track record of delivering successful high quality vocal programmes.
She has over 25 years experience working in the music industry as professional musician; vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and singer-songwriter.
WHAT WE DO
Our Programmes
🎤 Adult Choir
A welcoming singing community supporting adult singers through vocal development, musicianship, performance and ongoing CPD.
Meet the Team
Teachers Rock® is supported by a passionate team of educators, musicians, safeguarding professionals and creative specialists who bring their expertise to our programmes, performances and projects.
Kirsten Wordley
Assistant Director & Youth Choir Leader (East Devon)
Working alongside Founder and Musical Director Debbie Kent, Kirsten supports the development and delivery of Teachers Rock® programmes. She also leads the East Devon Youth Choir, supporting young singers to develop their voices, musicianship and confidence through inclusive ensemble singing,
John Bangham
Accompanist, Vocalist & Digital Resources Creator
John is a professional keyboard player, composer and vocalist who supports Teachers Rock® across rehearsals, performances and digital resources. He creates bespoke Teachers Rock® backing tracks and digital music resources supporting rehearsal, performance, vocal development and RSL Awards preparation.
Gary Mitchell
Guitarist, Vocalist, Audio Engineer & Music Producer
Gary supports Teachers Rock® across live performance and recording projects, combining his expertise as a guitarist with audio engineering, mixing and mastering. He helps bring the Teachers Rock® sound to life across performances and recordings.
Emelia McNeill
Youth Choir Leader (North Devon & Torridge)
Emelia leads the Teachers Rock® Youth Choir in North Devon & Torridge, creating an inclusive and inspiring environment where young singers can develop their voices, musicianship and confidence through ensemble singing.
Alison Mullen & Dawn Sweeney
Makaton Specialists
Dawn and Alison support Teachers Rock® in integrating Makaton into our singing and performance work, helping to create accessible and inclusive opportunities for children and young people to participate, communicate and perform.
Tony Picillo
Safeguarding Lead &
First Aider
Tony supports Teachers Rock® events and programmes as our Safeguarding Lead and First Aider, helping to ensure our activities are safe, welcoming and appropriately supported for children, young people and adults.
Julia Bushell
Lead Compliance Coordinator
Julia leads on compliance and administration for Teachers Rock®, helping to coordinate essential documentation, permissions and practical processes across our programmes, performances and projects. She supports the smooth and effective delivery of Teachers Rock® Academy, Youth and School based activities, working closely with the wider team.
Sharon Balman
Deputy Compliance Coordinator
Sharon supports the compliance and administration function at Teachers Rock®, working alongside Julia to coordinate documentation, permissions and practical arrangements across Teachers Rock® programmes and projects. She provides additional administrative support to help ensure activities are organised and appropriately supported.
Roisin Butters
Social Media and Digital Creator
Roisin supports Teachers Rock® with social media and digital communications, helping to share our programmes, projects, performances and stories with our wider community.
Ange Wilson Duffy & Caroline Willams
Conference & Marketing Team
Ange and Caroline support Teachers Rock® with conference activity, marketing and promotional opportunities, helping to raise the profile of our programmes, projects and events. They bring their expertise and creativity to connecting Teachers Rock® with wider professional and community audiences.
What Our Community Says
🎓 Inspiring Teachers
"The CPD experience is rooted in experimental learning so the impact is very high. All learning can be translated into classroom practice."
"As a de-stressor for me, it makes me more effective as a school leader."
🌟 Empowering Young People
"Last year some of my Year 6 girls set up their own choir and chose their repertoire from Debbie’s materials and then entered a festival locally without me knowing!"
🤝 Celebrating Inclusivity
"One of my Year 6 boys told me that Choir is the best club to belong to because you get the best things to sing."
"The impact of Teachers Rock® has been huge in my school and has now fed across our federation. The children absolutely love singing and can’t wait to sing anywhere and everywhere. Yesterday, for example we had 3 choirs of different ages all performing on a Saturday at a local carol service (70 children)"
💛 Supporting Wellbeing
"For me personally, it is what keeps me going in my life. Every session is amazing, inspirational and the friends I have made have become life-long."
"Vital in maintaining my own mental and emotional health and reducing stress levels, both due to the effect of exhilarating singing and informal networking."
"Teachers Rock® should be available to everyone on prescription as it is better than any drugs and is a real morale booster."
⭐ Excellence In Performance
"I recently saw Teachers Rock® at RHS Rosemoor. What a tremendous evening's entertainment! Total energy, enthusiasm and wholehearted enjoyment on display, high quality singing, plus expert arrangements and choreography. Dare I say it, in Ofsted terms....'OUTSTANDING!"
Our patron
Rev Bazil Meade MBE
A mentor, supporter and champion of the Teachers Rock® journey
A Long-Standing Musical Partnership
Bazil has been a mentor and source of inspiration to Teachers Rock® Founder and Musical Director Debbie Kent for more than 12 years. His guidance, encouragement and musical expertise have played an important role in Debbie's journey as a vocal educator and in the continued development of Teachers Rock®.
Opening Doors to Opportunity
Through this long-standing relationship, Bazil has opened the door to exceptional musical and performance opportunities for Teachers Rock® singers, from the True Worship Summit in London and experiences with leading gospel artists, to intimate live performances and BBC recording opportunities with the London Community Gospel Choir (LCGC).
Most recently, in September 2025, Teachers Rock® singers were invited to join LCGC as part of their outreach gospel workshops aboard MSC World America in the Caribbean.
Most recently, in September 2025, Teachers Rock® singers were invited to join LCGC as part of their outreach gospel workshops aboard MSC World America in the Caribbean.
