Subjects

Interview

Which subject(s) do you teach?
I teach classical trumpet and cornet pupils.

I also teach up to Grade 5 theory of music, an exam a pupil is required to pass in order to progress onto the higher graded ABRSM exams.

Tell me about your qualifications.
I have passed Grade 8 trumpet with distinction, and also Grade 5 theory with distinction.
I have a full set of GCSE and A-Levels.
I have successfully passed three years at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and am now a final year student.

I also play the Piano to Grade 8 standard, and so can accompany my trumpet pupils who are working on lower grades in their lessons.

What kind of experience do you have?
I have tutored the trumpet section of The Epsom Children's Orchestra, and the trumpet section of the National Children's Orchestra's South Easterlies orchestra. In both cases, this involved me organising the players onto parts and sitting in on orchestral rehearsals to ensure that everyone could play their music and knew what they were doing. Currently, I am tutoring the trumpet section of the National Children's Orchestra's new Central London orchestra.

As well as teaching privately, I have taken part in various schools workshops playing in Brass Quintets, Brass Ten Pieces, and Brass Bands.

On a non-musical front, I have also been part of the social staff team on the National Children's Orchestra's summer courses.

How much do you charge?
I charge £25 per hour of tuition, and £15 for half an hour.

These prices include my travel expenses, though in some circumstances a small extra fee will be added to cover my return travel costs.

Where do you teach?
Unfortunately there is no suitable space in my house for music lessons to take place, so I am willing to travel to pupils' houses. I live in the Barbican area of London, but am able to travel anywhere within reasonable distance on the tube map.

Living in the Barbican, I am have easy access to the following areas where I would be happy to travel to: Aldgate, Whitechapel, Shoreditch, Stepney Green, Mile End, Old Street, Farringdon, Clerkenwell and Angel. Please do enquire nevertheless as I have previously travelled as far as Queen's Park to teach.

When are you available?
My timetable varies greatly from day-to-day and week-to-week, and so I am flexible with lesson times. It is always possible to find a time to suit you!

Which ages and levels do you teach?
I can teach all ages from Grades 1-8 on the Trumpet/Cornet.

Again, I can teach all ages from Grades 1-5 for music theory lessons.

Do you have an up-to-date CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) disclosure certificate?
I have passed the CRB check for the National Children's Orchestra, which was undertaken in 2011, but just don't posses the certificate. If parents would prefer to sit in on a lesson, then I have no problem with them doing so.

Describe your arrangements for online tutoring.
I have Skype on my computer which would work for online tutoring, however I prefer to see my pupils in person in order for lessons to be as productive and worthwhile as possible.

Where and with whom did you train?
I learnt with David Ward from the ages of 8-18. I was taught by Torbjörn Hultmark at the Royal College of Music's Junior Department during my sixth-form years.

I now study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, where I am taught by Paul Cosh, Paul Beniston, Anne McAneney and Steve Keavy.

I also studied at the Conservatoire National Supérieur Musique et Danse de Lyon, France, where I was in the trumpet class of Thierry Caens and Christian Léger.

Tell me about some of your current students.
I have taught pupils from a very young age right through to adulthood. My most recent achievement was teaching the trumpet to a group of complete beginners, and had them performing within a day!

Do you have a personal message for students?
I want playing the trumpet to be fun for all of my pupils! I believe that if you enjoy what you are doing, then the rest will be easy. Give it a go!

Articles

Book recommendation: The Inner Game of Music
Subject: Trumpet
Tags: advice (general), trumpet
Created: 20/04/2010