Nite Piano School

Ancuta Nite-Doyle, BMus, PGDip, MMus, Director and Founder

Romanian British pianist Ancuta Nite-Doyle is the founder of the Nite Piano School and as well as performing she absolutely loves teaching piano!

Ancuta was born in Piatra Neamt, North East Romania and has been based in Scotland UK since 2000 after winning a Silvestri Scholarship which allowed her to continue her studies at the Erskine Stewart's Melville Schools in Edinburgh. Ancuta later returned to Scotland and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where she studied with the distinguished pianists Fali Pavri and Aaron Shorr and she was offered a Stevenson Scholarship and an ABRSM international Scholarship. Ancuta graduated in 2009 with a First Class Honours Degree in Piano Performance followed by a Postgraduate Diploma and Masters Degree. During her time at the RCS Ancuta won many prizes including the Mozart Concerto Competition performing K271 the "Jeunehomme" Concerto and performed C. Saint-Saens 2nd Piano Concerto with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra as part of her final exam. In 2021 Ancuta released her first CD of solo piano music by Chopin & Liszt. “Post tenebras lux" reflects the times we are living in and the title translates as "Light after darkness".

Post Tenebras Lux (ancutanite.co.uk)

Ancuta is also a member of staff at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and at the University of St Andrews as well as being the Artistic Director of the Ardtornish Piano Retreat Concert Series which is scheduled in June every year at Ardtornish Estate, Lochaline. She has recently performed in Germany and Italy as well as in the U.K. in venues such as Edinburgh's Usher Hall, London's Purcell Room at the Southbank Centre and the New Auditorium at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

Ancuta has recently finalised a wonderful project for young pianists in China which consisted of 30 piano lessons for beginner pianists covering a whole year of piano lessons. As well as teaching and performing Ancuta very much enjoys adjudicating music events and recently she was invited to adjudicate the Yi Yue Classic Piano Competition in China.

Ancuta and her husband Quintin Doyle have been an ambassadors for Hospices of Hope (the leading palliative care charity in South Eastern Europe) since 2008 and have also joined their volunteering team in the hospice Casa Sperantei in Brasov. Their fundraising efforts have included numerous chamber music concerts , private recitals and various other performances in many venues as well as London's Globe Theatre, and these events have raised over £32.218 for the charity.

Ben Eames, Principal Piano Teacher

Ancuta Nite-Doyle, BMus, PGDip, MMus, Director and Founder

Ben Eames is a pianist and piano tutor based in Scotland.

He has performed as a soloist and ensemble player in a variety of venues in Scotland including The Queens Hall, Edinburgh; Falkirk Town Hall; Albert Halls, Stirling; Stockbridge Parish Church, Edinburgh and the Edinburgh Society of Musicians.

Ben has been teaching for several years now, working with complete beginners through to advanced students.

Ben studied a Masters of Music in piano performance at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance studying under Douglas Finch and previously attended the Ian Tomlin School of Music in Edinburgh Napier University with a 1st class Bachelor of Music with Honours studying under Simon Coverdale.

Ben regularly collaborates with musicians and artists on cross-disciplinary projects involving various art forms. As well as teaching and performing, Ben currently co-creates Scotland's Ear To The Ground podcast featuring interviews with Scottish and Scotland based composers

Alan Fleming Baird- Deputy Piano Teacher

After studying with the composer Sir John Tavener, Alan was offered a scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music as a join first-study pianist and composer. Then followed post-graduate study in composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (supported by the Mather Scholarship).

Alan holds a bachelor's degree, and a Masters (with distinction) and is currently working towards his PhD at Glasgow University in music and linguistics. Alan has been a church organist for the past 17 years and has given many concerts throughout the country either as pianist or as a conductor or choir director.

He has composed four operas, many large-scale orchestral works (including three concertos for piano, violin, and cello) and several large choral pieces. His orchestral music has been performed by some of the leading orchestras in the country including the: Philharmonia Orchestra, Scottish Philharmonic, Sinfonia of London, and the London Festival Orchestra.

Alan has received a Creative Scotland Award in 2021 for the recording of his chamber music with the Maxwell String Quartet and the pianist Toni James. Alan is also the founder and artistic director of the Tannahill Arts Festival in Paisley.

Roxana Nite

Alan Fleming Baird- Deputy Piano Teacher

Roxana graduated from the Music Conservatoire in Constanta (Romania) and she is based in Glasgow where she teaches singing, piano, music theory and is also a choir instructor. Roxana has a wealth of experience in both teaching and performing and since 2010 she has prepared students for ABRSM exams, various competitions , festivals, auditions and concerts. Roxana is highly experienced and is very familiar with the classical piano exam syllabus. Roxana's qualifications, experience and passion for music education ensure her piano lessons are catered according to students' specific learning styles, goals and aspirations.

Roxana is also the Founder, Artistic Director and Vocal Coach of COG Home | clyde-opera-group (clydeoperagroup.com) and she has participated in many recitals and opera performances across Europe and the UK.

Roxana is also a founding member of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Edinburgh and Honorary Cultural Counsellor for the Consulate General of Romania in Edinburgh. In 2022, the President of Romania Mr Klaus Iohannis awarded Roxana The Order of "Cultural Merit" in the rank of Knight, Category F- "Promotion of Culture". This very prestigious medal has been offered to Roxana in appreciation for the important contribution to the promotion of Romania's image, research and culture in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Roxana is very excited to be part of the Nite Piano School. Her wide experience and in-depth knowledge of technique and repertoire are in demand with the next generation of piano players and young musicians. Roxana is a great motivator and loves to empower people to achieve their dream. The result can be a wonderful and rewarding skill which may remain with the students for the rest of their life.

Julia Young

Esther Ersfeld - Deputy Piano Teacher

Julia is currently studying music at the University of Glasgow and has studied piano at the Nite Piano School since its opening in 2017 with Ancuta Nite-Doyle and Ben Eames.

A skilled and passionate musician, Julia has recently spent her time learning new methods and techniques of teaching the piano under the careful tutelage of Ancuta Nite-Doyle.

In her piano lessons Julia works hard to create a fun, friendly and relaxed learning environment for all her students, finding ways of making learning an exciting venture for everyone who wants to learn the piano.

Julia always had a passion to teach piano as she loves creating a good rapport with pupils and allows them to develop their skills whilst exploring their own interest in music.

As a soprano, Julia has been singing in choirs from an early age and enjoys regular performances with the Royal Scottish Symphony Orchestra Chorus, including a BBC Proms performance at the very prestigious Royal Albert Hall.

Her solo performances include her debut with The City of Glasgow Chorus, as well as planning her own annual vocal recitals in the Glasgow University concert hall.

Esther Ersfeld - Deputy Piano Teacher

Esther is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s of Music in piano performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where she studies with Graeme McNaught and Aaron Shorr.

Esther began her musical studies at the age of five, and has since received tuition in piano, organ, voice, violin, and viola. She is a keen chamber musician, and is passionate about collaborating with other musicians both within and outwith the Conservatoire.

In March of 2020, Esther performed in a masterclass led by Scottish pianist Steven Osborne which took place at the Music School of Douglas Academy, where she studied from the age of 12. She has also participated in masterclasses led by the Fitzwilliam String Quartet and Maxwell String Quartet as a member of the School’s string quartet.

Esther also previously attended the RCS Junior Conservatoire, where she was awarded first prize at the Gilbert Innes Prize for Piano in 2018. Esther is delighted to join the staff team at the Nite Piano School as she very much enjoys creating a supportive and friendly environment with her piano pupils, and finds it hugely rewarding to see them develop.

Karolina Kubalkova

Karolina is an Honours graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. During her studies, she received guidance from numerous internationally acclaimed performers and teachers such as Ian Fountain, Pavel Nersessian, Joanna Macgregor, Boris Berman, Dmitri Alexeev, Norma Fisher, Imogen Cooper, and Menahem Pressler.

Over the course of her emerging career, Karolina has made appearances in Germany, Croatia, Hungary, England, Scotland, Poland, Lithuania, Portugal, and The Netherlands, with tours in Canada, the United States, the Czech Republic, and most recently in the People’s Republic of China.

Educated at the Glenn Gould Royal Conservatory of Music in the Young Performers’ Academy (Toronto, Canada), she joined the rising crest of young talent in local competitions gaining the top honours in piano and violin before making the decision to focus on piano. She was afterwards accepted at the age of 16 to begin a Bachelors Degree at the Prague Academy of Music.

Karolina began her early piano lessons with Marina Geringas which continue to inspire and motivate her artistic intention. Karolina has always had a deep interest in the powerful communication that music has with individuals diagnosed with Autism. She has worked on projects with the RAM’s outreach program & with the London Westminster Hospital to provide more consistent, properly funded, and individualized music programs for children with special needs and exceptionalities. For this reason, Karolina has begun a Masters of Science in Psychology at the University of Glasgow in 2021, in hopes of contributing to ongoing research in Music Therapy.

Mianoora Kosonen

Karolina Kubalkova

Mianoora Kosonen is a classical pianist, accompanist and piano teacher from southern Finland. A recent graduate from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (BMus piano performance , MA piano accompaniment), Mianoora currently works as a freelance accompanist, piano teacher and music educator in Glasgow. Mianoora is a founding member of the Oscen Ensemble and the Women In Chamber Music Collective, and a part of the Kosonen-Ranieri Duo. Mianoora also works as the music director at the Hillington Park parish church.

Mianoora started her musical studies at the age of 5 in Finland. In 2015 she started her professional piano studies at the Conservatoire of Helsinki and then went on to the University of Applied Sciences of Tampere, where she studied Piano pedagogy. In 2016 she moved to Scotland, and in 2020 gained her Bachelor’s degree in piano performance at the RCS, where she studied classical piano performance under Sinae Lee and Isobel Anderson, followed by an Accompaniment masters degree in 2021, studying under the tutelage of Scott Mitchell.

During her studies at the RCS Mianoora focused heavily on chamber music, having a special focus on vocal accompaniment. She has performed with singers and instrumentalists on many occasions at RCS festivals (piano festival, PLUG), and in masterclasses, competitions, and concerts. She now frequently performs around Glasgow and Scotland as a freelance pianist, accompanist and keyboard player as a part of varying groups and ensembles.

Mianoora is a enthusiastic chamber musician, recent performances include concerts with the Linlithgow Arts Guild at St Michael’s parish church, an ongoing chamber music concert series in venues around Glasgow with Women In Chamber Music collective, as well as various concerts with Oscen Ensemble for St Andrews fair, and recitals at the Hazelwood House, and the Wellington arts Festival 2022.

As a passionate piano teacher, Mianoora’s teaching focus is on developing healthy piano technique and mindset towards practicing, through using methods like the Alexander Technique, mindfulness techniques and improvisation. She has successfully prepared her piano pupils through ABRSM examinations with outcomes of merit and distinction. As a keen improviser Mianoora encourages this in her teaching, having experience in playing keyboards and organ in function bands, and also frequently exploring free improvisation with The Oscen Ensemble in some of their live performances.

Rachel Wood- Deputy Piano Teacher

Having graduated with a Bachelor of Music with Honours in Music Performance from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in July 2024, Rachel is a freelance musician, teacher, and multi-instrumentalist based in Glasgow, Scotland.

Rachel achieved her ABRSM Grade 8 piano in 2019 and has a DipABRSM Diploma in Instrumental Teaching.

Having taught for 6 years, she is keen to help young people find the joy in music. Away from the piano, Rachel teaches brass in schools and regularly coaches large ensemble groups.

As a French Horn player, Rachel was awarded the David James Brass Prize and the Mary D Adams Prize for chamber music with her Brass Quintet Fyne Brass. She has made appearances at the Celtic Connections festival in 2023 and 2024, with the latter being broadcast on BBC Scotland, and with the RSNO for their 2024 season finale.

Her performances have taken her to a variety of venues including the Usher Hall, Glasgow City Halls and Musiikkitalo in Finland.

Elena Ritter Cruz

Rachel Wood- Deputy Piano Teacher

Elena was born in Austria and started piano lessons at the age of 7. She was brought up in Spain and finished her schooling in Austria, making her fluent in Spanish and German.

Enriched by living in different countries with different cultures from a very early age, she has gained a global mindset and become a flexible, open-minded and empathic person.

Elena is an undergraduate student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where she has been studying with Aaron Shorr and is currently continuing her education with Saša Gerželj-Donaldson. She has given performances in Spain, Austria, Ireland and Scotland and has had the privilege of receiving guidance from acclaimed concert pianists such as Margaret Fingerhut, Murray McLachlan, Richard Ormrod, Benjamin Frith, Graeme McNaught, Sinae Lee, Fali Pavri and Petras Geniušas.

In addition to RCS, Elena received offers from four other prestigious institutions, including the Royal College of Music in London, the Royal Northern College of Music, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Elena is delighted to be part of the Nite Piano School, where she can create an encouraging and welcoming environment for her piano students. She is passionate about teaching, her primary goal is to instil a genuine love for music while helping students reach their full potential.

Mireia Pastor Pico- Deputy Piano Teacher

Born in 2003 in Muro, Mallorca, Mireia Pastor Pico began studying piano at the age of six, and went on to study at the Escuela de Música Miquel Tortell.

Since her father is a professional musician, she was very much brought up amidst musical surroundings. At her early age she already attended piano lessons and solfege.

In September 2015 she continued her studies at the Conservatorio de Palma de Mallorca where she studied for 4 years obtaining the title of ‘4rto de professional’, with a broad understanding of harmony, theory, and music history. During that time studying with Arantxa Carrion Caballero she performed as a soloist in St. Regis Mardevall Mallorca Resort, ACA foundation and Music School Musicalens.

At the age of 16 Mireia gained a full scholarship to study at Scotland’s National Specialist Music School ‘St Mary’s Music School’ in Edinburgh, where she studied under the guidance of the well distinguished German-French pianist Elena Fischer-Dieskau.

In 2017, Pastor was chosen to be part of the Young Rotary Orchestra of Mallorca under the baton of both José María Moreno and Bernat Quetglas. Since then she has had the opportunity to perform with them in many places around her homeland such as ; Teatro Principal de Palma de Mallorca, Auditorio de Manacor, Agora Portals, Club Nautic Port d’Andratx and Claustro de Santo Domingo.

Her older brother, Alberto Pastor Pico is also a pianist and they were invited by the Rotary Club to perform at their annual Christmas Concert in December 2018. A review published in ‘ Diario de Mallorca’ stated “ the audience that filled the hole of the foundation, came out delighted by the beauty of the works and the interpretive strength of the siblings“

This last year 2022 she was part of one of the British Youth Music productions: ‘Cabaret Havana’ a project created by Nicola Baldwin. A variety of Latin Music was performed at The Mack Mountview, directed by Barnaby Southgate and Eliane Correa.

Recently, Pastor has professionally recorded portfolio pieces at Calma Estudis Spain and has had the opportunity to participate in a masterclass with the well-known pianist Dani Driver. She has also received 4th price in Wpta Spain International Competition, Prize at best Barroc Interpretation, and Honorable mention in Vienna New’s Year International Competition. She is currently a student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland under the guidance of world class pianist Sinae Lee.

Elena Smirnova- Deputy Piano Teacher

Mireia Pastor Pico- Deputy Piano Teacher

Elena Smirnova was born in Siauliai, Lithuania in 1994 and began developing an interest in music and other art forms at a young age. She started playing the piano at the age of six and a year later she started the junior department of the Conservatoire of the city of Siauliai. Whilst studying there under Professor Olga Popova, Elena performed in many concerts and competitions, including those on a national level.

Elena moved to Scotland in 2005 and began studying at St Mary's Music School in Edinburgh in 2006. Elena studied piano with Richard Beauchamp, organ with Simon Nieminsky and Duncan Ferguson, and voice with Margaret Aronson. During her time at St Mary’s Elena has played in piano masterclasses with Steven Osborne, Noriko Ogawa, Katherine Page, Ian Jones, Yonty Solomon, Roy Howat and Idil Biret.

In 2012 Elena moved to London to do a Bachelor degree at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and studied with Peter Bithell, Rolf Hind and Laura Roberts.

In 2019 Elena finished her Master’s Degree at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance under the tutelage of Mikhail Kazakevich. During her time there, Elena has enjoyed performing in the Debussy and Brahms festivals organised by Trinity Laban, playing Stravinky’s Firebird and Janacek’s Cunning Little Vixen Suite in the Trinity Laban Symphony Orchestra and having masterclasses with Pascal Roge, Niklas Pokki and Peter Donohue

Diana Hrituleac

Ugnius Pauliukonis - Deputy Piano Teacher

With a musical journey spanning 16 years, Diana Hrituleac stands as a dedicated and accomplished classical pianist, bringing forth a wealth of experience and love for the piano. Born with an innate connection to the instrument, Diana has honed their skills to become a distinguished performer and educator. Diana was born and trained in Romania, where she studied at the Octav Bancila School of Music in Iasi. In 2019, she moved to Glasgow and started her studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, having Sasa Gerzelj Donaldson as her piano teacher. In July 2023, she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree with Honours in Piano Performance.

Throughout her academic pursuit, Diana had the opportunity to receive mentorship from renowned pianists and teachers such as Steven Osborne, Fali Pavri, and Nicholas Ashton. These interactions enriched her musical perspective, contributing to a diverse and nuanced approach to her craft.

The repertoire explored by Diana throughout the years reflects a broad musical spectrum, ranging from the timeless compositions of Bach and Mozart to the dynamic and challenging works of Bartok, Prokofiev, Martinu, Enescu, and beyond. In addition to solo playing, Diana has experience in chamber music and accompaniment. Such collaborative endeavors have allowed her to synergize with fellow musicians, creating harmonious and captivating musical performances.

Beyond the stage, Diana is deeply committed to music education. Her teaching philosophy revolves around fostering a friendly and supportive learning environment, prioritizing the individual needs of each pupil. Through this approach, Diana seeks to inspire and guide aspiring musicians on their own musical journeys.

Looking ahead, Diana is excited to bring their knowledge and love for music to the Nite Piano School team. Joining a community of inspiring individuals, she aims to contribute to the school's commitment to creating positive experiences for each pupil, helping them gain confidence in their skills

Ugnius Pauliukonis - Deputy Piano Teacher

Pianist Ugnius Pauliukonis took my breath away during the RNCM Gold Medal Weekend. The Magic descended as soon as his hands touched the keys… -Edward Seckerson, British Journalist and Music Critic

Glasgow based pianist Ugnius is enjoying a wide range of career performing and teaching. After finishing his Studies in Lithuania, Ugnius moved to the United Kingdom to study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

Ugnius has won numerous awards, including the RNCM Gold Medal, and the Silver Medal Award by the Worshipful Musicians Company UK for excellence in performance. Amongst many other successes Ugnius has been a winner of Phillip & Dorothy Green Young Artist award for 2018-2020, which supports artists by providing numerous performance opportunities around the UK. Ugnius’ musical career covers a wide range of areas.

A passionate Chamber Musician, Ugnius is a founding member and a Chief executive of a flexy form chamber music group ‘SONO ensemble’ based in Manchester. He frequently performs with various orchestras too, including the BBC Philharmonic, Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, Kaunas State Symphony Orchestra.

As a soloist and chamber musician, Ugnius has performed recitals at the Bridgewater Hall, Wigmore Hall London, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Lithuanian National Philharmonic amongst other venues. He worked with musicians such as Stephen Hough, Lang Lang, Matti Raekallio, Nelson Goerner, Jean Efflam Bavouzet, Eduardo Delgado and many other world famous Pianists and Musicians.

Ugnius is a passionate music educator too. He teaches in Glasgow and runs his highly successful Youtube Channel, exploring key aspects of piano playing, sharing piano tips, techniques and many other things related to Music and Piano Performance. Amongst his passions, reading and traveling takes a lot of space, but he is also very interested in social sciences such as politics and economics.

Grainne Rooney - Deputy Piano Teacher

Gráinne Rooney - Deputy Teacher

Gráinne began tutoring in 2006 when she reached grade 8 level, and went on to graduate with honours from the Ian Tomlin School of Music at Edinburgh Napier University in 2011.

Gráinne was then awarded a studentship to study MSc in ‘Music in the Community’ at Edinburgh University under Prof Nigel Osborne MBE and Dr Katie Overy. This Master of Science degree covered study of music psychology, musical teaching theories, and a variety of community, social, and cultural music teaching placements.

Following her studies Gráinne spent 8 months teaching music for a primary and high school in Mumbai, India, where she provided training to teachers, started a music class for children with additional support needs, and wrote a framework music syllabus for the schools.

Since returning from her work in India in 2013 Gráinne has specialised in tutoring piano where barriers to learning are present. She has worked with children and adults with neurodiversities, learning disabilities, brain injuries, MS, and where there is a language barrier. Gráinne also has experience using Figurenotes notation system, which is specially designed as either an alternative or stepping stone for students whose learning difficulty causes significant struggle with traditional notation. Gráinne uses her knowledge of child and learning development to keep lessons enjoyable and engaging for each individual learning style.

Grainne Rooney - Deputy Piano Teacher

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