Janey Bee

Janey Bee, has been working for Berkshire Maestros since March 2020 after looking for a change after 22 years of teaching in schools. Initially she joined as a teacher of voice, piano and flute, but has recently taken over as Schools Advisory Manager (whilst Wendy Harvey is on maternity leave). Janey started playing the recorder at the age of 7 and then progressed on to the flute at 9. After an audition at a Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, Janey was informed she needed to play more instruments, so took up piano and singing, then adding orchestral percussion to her skill set when she joined the local youth orchestra.Janey has a BA (Hons) in popular music studies, majoring in performing. One of the highlights of her studies was three months of studying a cappella and jazz singing at California State University, Northridge.

After gaining a PGCE in secondary music, Janey taught at schools in Yorkshire and Kent, becoming part of the senior leadership team. After ten years in secondary teaching, Janey was keen to expand her experience intending to become an OFSTED inspector. This led to a move to Hampshire, and leadership in the primary sector. After a few years, life then took a different turn with marriage and Janey becoming mum to two energetic boys. She then spent the next few years teaching in primary school but stepping back from her management work.

After her fabulous work with a choir of 120 children -which made it through to the finals of the school choir of the year at Birmingham Symphony Hall and a performance at the Royal Albert Hall- Janey realised that her heart was no longer in primary teaching and she needed to get back to solely focusing on music. This led her to apply to Berkshire Maestros and joining the wonderful voice team.When she isn’t teaching, Janey loves to dance and has enjoyed competing in ballroom and Latin dancing. She also loves to play board games with her ever competitive boys and going for long walks in her local area with any dog that she is able to borrow!