About Me
I am passionate about enabling children to experience music in an inspirational, fun and creative environment.
I want children to feel safe, happy to have a go, exploring ideas without fear of getting it wrong. I have a holistic approach and use plenty of movement, singing games, rhymes, props, puppets, body percussion, story-telling as well as making opportunities to express freely through drawing and joining together to sing as one, feeling the joy of creating music together that sounds and feels so different to what we can all do individually.
I believe that music can help children experience real joy, fulfilment and well-being.
T E S T I M O N I A L
“It is difficult to choose superlatives to describe Davina as so many spring to mind. It was my joy and privilege to witness Davina work her musical magic with children for many years. Sensitive, encouraging and inspirational, Davina’s impact was tangible. With every child engaged and valued, Davina gave opportunities for such enjoyable and varied music making.”
— Dawn Daly, former Head of Pre -Prep and Junior Department King’s College School
Teaching and professional experience
Davina Shore BEd (Hons) is a freelance music educator, based in Cambridge.
She has taught in state primary and independent preparatory schools for over thirty years. Until December 2019, she was Deputy Director of Music and Head of Pre Prep Music at King’s College School Cambridge.
Her creative, voice-led approach is strongly influenced by her training with the British Kodaly Academy (BKA) and as an advisory teacher with The Voices Foundation. In addition to inspiring children she has run in-service training workshops for teachers, including at Homerton College, Music Masters and Mistresses Association (MMA), and Abingdon Music Centre.
She is the author of Snap, Crackle and Pop and is currently working on a new book, The Singing Sheltie.
She has recently begun working with Cambridge Youth Opera (CYO) to develop an outreach programme into local state primary schools.
Davina’s latest book Snap, Crackle and Pop is available to buy at these retailers:
Trinity College: Take your bow
Davina Shore and Naomi Yandell ran a string ensemble for the youngest children at King’s College School. Thanks to Trinity College and Naomi Yandell for permission to share this footage from Trinity’s website. Here we see and hear the pupils playing a piece written by Naomi and published by Trinity.
Words from colleagues & parents
“Davina is kind, calm and incredibly talented - she brings out the very best in every child that is lucky enough to be taught by her! Davina's passion for music is beyond anything that I have ever seen. Her concerts and performances are perfect - every tiny detail considered and every special touch added. Children love Davina and love to make her proud - they are focused and happy in rehearsals and concerts. Working with her is a dream!”
– Lucy Cochrane-Brown, Teacher and Musician
“It is clear to see from Davina’s work as a teacher, that her love of music and the quality of her teaching has left generations of young musicians enthused and full of passion for music making. Her incredible skill and generous spirit leaves a lasting impact on those who work with her. I would highly recommend her to any organisation looking to benefit from the decades of experience she brings."
– James Turnbull, Royal College of Music
“I worked with Davina for many years. Together we put on many shows and concerts for children aged 7 - 9. I was constantly surprised by the results that she achieved with such young children- results way beyond the standard one would expect from such young children. Of course, these results were not achieved by chance, they were entirely down to her dedication and patience and her talent at bringing out the best in her pupils.”
– Colin Dely, Head of Juniors King’s College School
“Davina has the extraordinary gift of being able to inspire great joy in music. As a colleague for many years, I have had the privilege of observing her help children to thrive as they build their musical skills through her outstanding teaching and her dedication to the well-being of all in her care. Working alongside Davina teaching pupils overseas gave me a particular insight into her skills in communication and in capturing interest through her warm, inclusive style. Any activities organised by Davina promise to be uplifting, affirming, educational and fun; they are to be highly recommended!”
— Edwina Swann, Teacher
“To watch Davina work with children is to see her use music to nurture and draw out the best of a creative life. In her work she inspires a love of, and an engagement with music, that is not only fun and worthwhile in the moment, but causes the whole child to flourish beyond the musical realm.”
– Lucy Bunce, Musician, Teacher, Composer
“Davina Shore is like a Mary Poppins of Music. Her love and skill shines out in every interaction she has with every child she encounters. The shy ones find their voices and the wide-eyed thrill of performing; the bouncy ones find something new and exciting to keep them interested in every lesson; the children who have never really done music before find the confidence to give it a go and are amazed to find themselves playing, singing, and 'part of it all' along in a matter of minutes. Everything is done with such a sense of fun and kindness, underpinned with some serious teaching skills and musical knowledge.”
– Catherine Galloway, Parent King’s College School