Master of Arts (Royal Academy of Music)
LRAM teaching qualification

Subjects

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Personal Message

Welcome to my page - I hope you find what you need! I believe learning is a very individual experience, so I make every effort to recognise students' strong points and adapt my teaching to help them most effectively.

Interview

Which subject(s) do you teach?
I teach all brass instruments from complete beginner to advanced, except for French Horn, which I teach from beginner to grade 5.

Tell me about your qualifications.
I have a Master of Arts in performance music from the Royal Academy of Music, a LRAM teaching diploma from the Royal Academy of Music, a Bachelor of Music in performance from the New Zealand School of Music, and a Bachelor of Engineering (!) from Canterbury University (NZ).

What kind of experience do you have?
I spent 2004-2008 as a trombonist and brass teacher in Wellington, New Zealand (where I am originally from). I taught around 20 hours a week, both privately and as a Peripatetic for the New Zealand Ministry of Education, from complete beginner to music college level, ages 6-18 as well as some adult students. During this time I was Principal Trombone for the Vector Wellington Orchestra, Principal Trombone for the Central Band of the RNZAF, and regularly played with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and many other varied ensembles.

I moved to the UK in 2008 to complete my Masters at the Royal Academy of Music (and my LRAM teaching diploma), and have played with many ensembles, including the BBC Philharmonia, and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and done school education work with the Aurora Orchestra and the Southbank Sinfonia.

How much do you charge?
I charge £15 for half an hour lesson, and £25 for an hour, both including travel.

Where do you teach?
I teach all brass instruments anywhere in London. I am based in Croydon, but I am happy to travel.

When are you available?
As I am working as a freelance musician, I can be very flexible in my availability.

Which ages and levels do you teach?
I teach any age, at any level.

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

Describe your arrangements for online tutoring.
I tutor online via skype and email.

Where and with whom did you train?
I studied at the Royal Academy of Music under Ian Bousfield (Principal Trombone of the Vienna Philharmonic), Dudley Bright (Principal Trombone of the London Symphony Orchestra), Denis Wick (retired Principal Trombone of the London Symphony Orchestra), Jim Maynard (Sub-Principal Trombone of the London Symphony Orchestra).

Do you have a personal message for students?
Practising a little and often is better and easier than trying to do a few long practices. Try to get in to a routine where you can set aside some time at the same time every day and stick with it!