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Dr Heidi Castle - Piano Lessons in Lyneham, Wilts, nr Wootton Bassett, Calne, Chippenham, Swindon

Dr Heidi Castle Gold Member

Lyneham, Wiltshire (SN15) View on map
Last Logged In: 09 Apr 2012
Sex: Female

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BA(hons) Music
MSc & PhD Applied Psychology
Up to Date CRB
Musician's Union

Subjects

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Piano £30.00/hr

Music Theory Exams £30.00/hr

Personal Message: I adopt a calm and relaxed approach, making learning as bite-size as needed so it is never baffling.
Which subject(s) do you teach?: Piano and Music Theory
Tell me about your qualifications.: I got grade eight piano when I was in my mid teens and took performance to a much higher level during my BA(hons) in music.

Alongside my love of music I had a passion for psychology (with an interest in learning, memory, attention and sensory information processing). After an MSc in Cognitive Psychology, I did a PhD in Applied Psychology and specialized in haptics (tactile and kinesthetic learning and memory). I am certain, this influences my approach to teaching the piano and my confidence that anyone can learn how to play. Its not rocket science and its never too late!

Other instruments I play include violin, guitar, flute, sax and harp.
What kind of experience do you have?: I come from an extended family of musicians and music teachers going back several generations and I began teaching and leading choral and instrumental groups in my mid teens. During my last twenty years I have always taught the piano (albeit on a more casual basis whilst I was a psychologist). For the last six years I have been a full-time mum and concentrated on my piano teaching. I also volunteer as a part-time teaching assistant at the local primary school.
How much do you charge?: 30 minutes - £15
60 minutes - £30

I offer an initial 20 minute £10 introductory lesson.

[Weekend rates are slightly higher]
Where do you teach?: I teach from home but would consider travel [travel times paid for at the usual rate].
I live in Lyneham village, in Wiltshire. The closest towns are Wootton Bassett, Calne, Chippenham and Swindon.
When are you available?: I work weekdays and week evenings but would consider weekends
Which ages and levels do you teach?: All ages and abilities. Usually, a child needs to be school age or above (due to concentration span, hand size, basic grasp of alphabet and numbers etc) but younger children will be considered.
Which qualifications do you prepare your students for?: Grades are optional.
Do you have an up-to-date CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) disclosure certificate?: Yes
Do you belong to any professional organisations?: Musician's Union
Do you have a personal message for students?: To play the piano is wonderful food for the soul and knowledge of music theory is the life-long key to being able to turn your hand to any instrument. Stimulating the brain whilst encouraging the ability to focus, there are proven intellectual benefits to learning to play an instrument.

However, (with or without exams), I like to make learning uncomplicated, making each step as bit-size as needed. It's not rocket science and it shouldn't feel baffling; I believe everyone can be taught these skills and it's never too late.

For parents: After each lesson, I will go through with you what we did during the lesson and what to focus on at home. Parents are welcome to sit in if a child is nervous during their first lesson. I adopt a calm and patient approach.

My Articles

Making music theory fun!

For making music theory fun (especially for kids) I thoroughly recommend the Made Easy series of theory work books by Lina Ng. Very young children (4 yrs on) particularly enjoy the 'Theory Made Easy For Little Children' level 1 and 2 (full of stickers and simple exercises), going on to 'My First Theory Book'.