Subjects

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Interview

Which subject(s) do you teach?
I teach the Violin. Theory lessons are also available for violin pupils.

Tell me about your qualifications.
MA (Cantab) - degree from Cambridge University. (1993)
LRAM - teaching diploma from the Royal Academy of Music. (1997)
Postgraduate performing diploma, also from the RAM. (1998)

What kind of experience do you have?
I have several years' experience teaching children and adults of all ages and standards.
My approach is to customise my teaching to suit the individual's needs rather than to follow a particular school of violin playing (eg. Suzuki), or to rigidly follow a published violin method. For the early stages I use pieces from Paul de Keyser's "Violin Playtime" and "The Young Violinist's Repertoire" series along with various studies (Mary Cohen, Niel Mackay, Sevcik etc.), and exercises both of my own devising and taken from the "masters" (Ivan Galamian, Carl Flesch etc.)
I am happy to put pupils through the Associated Board exam scheme, and have a 100% pass rate. Whilst exams are a useful incentive, I feel strongly that learning to play the instrument is the first priority. If you simply work through the exam syllabuses, you can miss out on some great repertoire and opportunities to learn techniques outside of exam pieces.
I have a great love of playing the violin and I do a lot of performing, freelancing with some of the country's best orchestras, which I think helps me to pass on my enthusiasm to my pupils. (Details of my performing career can be found by following the link to the MAS website.)
Teaching privately rather than for a school means that pupils can have longer lessons, and also more lessons over the course of a year as I can carry on through the school holidays. (This is a particular advantage in the summer.) There is also more opportunity for parents to be involved. Young children benefit from supervision / help with their practise, so it is useful if a parent can sit in on a few lessons.
If you have any questions please get in touch.

How much do you charge?
I charge £32 per hour, (£24 for 45 mins and £16 for half an hour.)
I can travel to your house at a charge of 40p per mile.

Where do you teach?
I mostly teach in my house in Worcester Park in Surrey. I live a ten minute walk from Worcester Park station, or for those coming by car, there is free parking outside my house.
If you prefer me to come to your house, I will travel to local areas - New Malden, Sutton, Raynes Park, Surbiton, Chessington etc.

When are you available?
I am a concert violinist, so my hours are variable. I am flexible, and would discuss times with a prospective pupil to make sure we could fit in regular lessons. I am happy to continue lessons during the school holidays, particularly in the summer.

Which ages and levels do you teach?
I teach all ages from 5 years upwards. I teach all levels from absolute beginners (including adult beginners) to advanced levels, and can take you through the Associated Board exams up to and including Grade 8. If you want to learn for fun without taking exams that's fine. I'm also happy to teach refresher lessons to adults who are returning to the violin, on a short or longer term basis.

Do you have a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) disclosure certificate?
No. This is because I have always taught privately, and never for an institution. The CRB check can only be carried out by an organisation, so it is currently not possible for an individual to obtain a disclosure certificate for themselves. Parents of pupils may sit in on their lessons if they feel uncomfortable about leaving their children with a stranger.

Where and with whom did you train?
I studied violin with Howard Davis and Jean Harvey at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

Tell me about some of your current students.
My current students range from young beginners to the leader of an amateur orchestra who comes for a few lessons when she needs a confidence boost before playing a solo, or wants help with difficult repertoire.