Subjects

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Interview

Which subject(s) do you teach?
Violin, Viola, Piano, numerous styles of Folk Fiddle (I specialise in Cape Breton/Celtic styles), as well as Music Theory, Musicianship and Composition.

Tell me about your qualifications.
I have an Honours Bachelor of Music degree from Wilfrid Laurier University (Waterloo, Ontario, Canada), a Master of Music degree from the Birmingham Conservatoire, and a Diploma in Kodaly Pedagogy from the Kodaly Institute in Hungary. I also have Colourstrings teacher training, a method used for young children.
I obtained Grades 8 and 9 in both violin and piano from the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Examination Board in Toronto, Canada.

What kind of experience do you have?
Ten years of experience in one-to-one and small group instrumental music teaching, as well as many years performing with orchestras, chamber groups, and various folk, Latino, jazz and free improvisation bands. I also teach Kodaly musicianship at the Birmingham Conservatoire Junior Department and have taught for a music service.

How much do you charge?
The fee is £14 per half hour lesson. If requested, I provide a free consultation lesson or discussion.

Where do you teach?
I teach in my home in the Harborne/Edgbaston area in Birmingham.

When are you available?
I am available to teach various days and times during the week and on weekends.

Which ages and levels do you teach?
I teach all ages and levels, from child and adult beginners to intermediate/advanced level students. However, I generally do not take students under the age of 5.

Which qualifications do you prepare your students for?
I generally prepare my students for ABRSM examinations, although am happy to use other examination boards if preferred.

Do you have an up-to-date CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) disclosure certificate?
Yes, I do.

Do you belong to any professional organisations?
I am a member of the Musician's Union and the British Kodaly Academy.

Tell me about some of your current students.
I teach students of a range of ages and backgrounds, from very young beginners to soon-to-be-retired adult students. Some of my former students now study at the Junior Department of the Birmingham Conservatoire and hope to pursue musical careers.

Do you have a personal message for students?
As we live in a fast paced and chaotic world, calmness and inner peace are more difficult to find. The pursuit of music as a form of self expression can help to remove us from this business if at least temporarily. The study of music benefits adolescent beginners, adults, and senior citizens equally as much as the very young child.