Graduate of The Royal Northern College of Music
GRNCM diploma
Enhanced CRB
EPTA
References are available upon request

Subjects

Interview

Which subject(s) do you teach?
Piano, Accordion, Organ, Classical Theory/Composition

Tell me about your qualifications.
I undertook a four-year course at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester where I studied the Art of Teaching, Theory, Acoustics, History of Music and Piano Performance. I also achieved the highest marks in the UK in 1979 for Grade 8 Piano and won the Sheila Mossman Memorial Award.

What kind of experience do you have?
I teach both in schools and privately, and have experience teaching all ages and at all levels. I enter pupils for exams and encourage improvisation. My pupils are awarded prizes for achieving good results in lessons and in exams. One of my pupils won the EPTA Composers Competition with a Jazz composition. My pupils also participate in the EPTA concerts, which I help to organise, at Chetham's School of Music where they have the advantage of being able to perform on a Grand Piano. I also organise informal concerts in various venues including the Bowdon Rooms and Didsbury URC Church.

How much do you charge?
My current rate is £10 for a 20-minute lesson, £15 for a half-an-hour lesson, £20 for a 45-minute lesson, and £30 for an hour lesson.

Where do you teach?
I teach at home although I would consider travelling to a student's home for an extra charge to cover my expenses. I live in Hale Barns, which is near to Altrincham and Bowdon in Cheshire.

When are you available?
I am currently available on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9.00am to 3.30pm (including School holidays). I also have a vacancy for a private pupil on Saturday from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. During the School holidays I can be more flexible, although during term-time I am teaching at schools and privately.

Which ages and levels do you teach?
I teach beginners from the age of 6-years-old to adult. I am qualified to teach at all levels and can teach up to and including diploma level.

Which qualifications do you prepare your students for?
I enter pupils for ABRSM exams and Trinity Guildhall exams. I also enter pupils for Theory of Music exams.

Do you have an up-to-date CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) disclosure certificate?
I have been checked at all the schools where I currently teach and I am willing to provide evidence, should that be necessary.

Describe your arrangements for online tutoring.
N/A.

Do you belong to any professional organisations?
I belong to EPTA (European Piano Teachers Association).

Where and with whom did you train?
I studied piano and cello at St. Mary's Music School in Edinburgh and at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

Tell me about some of your current students.
I have a grade 2 piano pupil who has recently achieved a Distinction for her grade 2 piano exam with 136 marks. I also have a grade 5 Theory pupil who has also achieved a Distinction in his grade 5 Theory exam. Many of my pupils are rehearsing duets and trios and preparing for performances.

Do you have a personal message for students?
I encourage "Improvisation" and Composing which, for some pupils is the highlight of the lesson. Pupils who prefer a systematic approach are encouraged to read, although I make this "fun" for younger pupils. I use many strategies which are effective, including encouraging pupils to sing and hear intervals. Again, I make this fun for pupils at all ages. Pupils are encouraged to notate their compositions, which helps them with their understanding of theory and helps with reading of the notes. All pupils are encouraged to perform and are prepared for exams on request.

Articles

Books for Learning the Piano
Subject: Piano
Tags: book recommendations, learn to play the piano
Created: 01/05/2011