Subjects

Interview

Which subject(s) do you teach?
I teach the Trombone.

Tell me about your qualifications.
BA(Hons) in Music
I have been working as a full time performer since 1995. I have specialised in Funk, African Music, Latin Music and Jazz, but also play in a folk band and my degree is in classical music so I have a classical training.

What kind of experience do you have?
I have performed all over the world in festivals such as Glastonbury, Womad, The Montreaux Jazz Festival,Rosskilde, La Linea Festival and The Olin Kun Festival in Mexico, to name a few. I have played in such venues as Ronnie Scott's, The Festival Hall, The Barbican, The Jazz Cafe, Joe Zawinul's Birdland (Vienna), The Sage, Shepherd's Bush Empire and The Forum.
The Folk Group I play with 'Bellowhead' is band in residence at the Southbank Centre and won Best Live Act for the BBC Radio 2 Folk awards in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011 as well as Best Group in 2007. In 2011 we won Songlines Magazine Band of the Year.
I have recorded numerous albums not only as a player but as a composer, arranger and producer.
I have also been teaching Brass at a school in Hertfordshire since 1995, plus running Jazz Groups and Orchestra projects there.

How much do you charge?
I charge £25 per hour if you come to me, £30 if I come to you.

Where do you teach?
I teach at home or at students' homes, depending on what seems most convenient.

When are you available?
My schedule is fairly flexible around when I'm performing.

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

Do you have an up-to-date CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) disclosure certificate?
I have been checked for the school I currently work in.

Do you belong to any professional organisations?
The Musicians Union.

Where and with whom did you train?
Cardiff University. My trombone teacher was Brian Raby, then principal trombone for Welsh National Opera.

Do you have a personal message for students?
My approach to teaching is that I want students to progress quickly but that I also want them to enjoy playing. This means that I will endeavour to cater for the interests of each individual student whilst giving them different approaches to think about.

Articles

Listen to a Lot of Music
Subject: Jazz Trombone
Tags: advice (general), jazz trombone
Created: 05/06/2008