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Personal Message

I am a 25 year old trumpet player currently living in Leytonstone. If you are hoping to start playing a brass instrument or are looking for a new teacher then I'd love to hear from you.

Interview

Which subject(s) do you teach?
As I am a trumpet player, I teach the instruments of the brass family: trumpet, cornet, tenor horn, french horn, baritone, euphonium, trombone and tuba. I am happy to help students prepare for jazz or classical grades if they wish but it is perfectly fine if they'd rather not.

I think it is important that the instrument is a way into learning all kinds of (interesting) things about music so I try to cover a really broad range of different ideas in lessons. I don't just stick to 'classical' music, I think it's great to explore lots of different things from the very beginning. Lessons can incorporate improvisation, playing by ear and music theory as well as playing technique. Lessons are tailored to the individual student's needs and interests.

Tell me about your qualifications.
Please feel free to take a look at my CV (below).

What kind of experience do you have?
I have spent a lot of time working with all sorts of students, aged from under 6 to over 50. These have included beginners (both young and old), students with playing problems, post grade 8 students looking for new challenges as well as older people who are looking for help learning music. As I mentioned above I can help students prepare for grades if they wish and my students are always successful in their exams. As well as privately I am currently employed as a part time brass tutor by the London Borough of Newham "Every Child a Musician" project, working in primary schools across the borough.

As a performer I have played a lot of different music in all sorts of groups including: orchestra, brass band, wind band, big band, small jazz groups, big and small brass groups, street bands and pop bands. I'm really keen on solo playing and I have in the past performed a lot in recital and as a concerto soloist. I am also currently the conductor of Bart's and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry Student Orchestra and Choir, University of the Arts London Orchestra and Imperial College School of Medicine Choir.

Alongside teaching and performing I also have a lot of experience leading workshops with children. Recently this has involved working in the Wigmore Hall's "Chamber Tots" workshop series for toddlers, brass workshops for Liverpool Saturday Morning Music School, and brass and woodwind workshops for schools in Dublin.

I also have experience organising concerts and events. My most recent project was Merseyside Festival of Brass 2010 which saw thirty brass players from Guildhall School of Music and Drama travel to Liverpool to work with hundreds of young musicians and present a concert after four days' rehearsal. Some footage of the rehearsals for this event can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv4xWg3ohhE.

How much do you charge?
My usual prices are as follows:

£30 per 60 minutes
£24 per 45 minutes
£18 per 30 minutes

I am happy to travel outside London to teach but I will usually add a small amount to my hourly rate to cover extra time and travel costs.

Where do you teach?
I normally travel to students' homes or places of work around my local area: Bow, Mile End, Stratford, Leyton, Hackey, City of London, Stepney, Whitechapel Bethnal Green, Docklands, West Ham, Walthamstow, Wanstead, Redbridge, Ilford, Barking, Plaistow or further afield.

I also have some students in North and North West London and I am happy to work with new students in Queen's Park, Brondesbury, Ladbroke Grove, Willesden, Tufnell Park, Kentish Town, Hampstead, Finsbury Park and Camden.

I also sometimes teach at my house in Leytonstone, East London, which is a five minute walk from Leytonstone station (Central line), Leyton Midland Rail (overground) and Leytonstone High Road (overground).

When are you available?
Weekends are usually best but I am quite happy to arrange weekday lessons if that is more convenient.

Which ages and levels do you teach?
I am happy to teach anyone of any age or level.

Which qualifications do you prepare your students for?
I usually prepare and enter students for the Trinity Guildhall exams; however I'm happy to enter students for ABRSM exams if they wish.

In recent years many of my students have achieved distinction in their exams.

Do you have an up-to-date CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) disclosure certificate?
I have a clear CRB certificate from 7th July 2011 registered by the London Borough of Newham.

Describe your arrangements for online tutoring.
I can teach over skype.

Where and with whom did you train?
I am currently a student at Guildhall School of Music and Drama where I study trumpet with Paul Beniston, Paul Cosh, Tom Rainer, Ray Allen and Nick Smart.

Tell me about some of your current students.
I currently have 15-20 regular students, the youngest of which is six and the eldest over 50. They have diverse musical interests and aspirations and they all love playing music.

Do you have a personal message for students?
I have been involved in music and playing the trumpet for eighteen years and it has been brilliant fun. Whether you just want to play a bit in your spare time or take it more seriously, I can show you how to get the most out of it and have the best experience.