Subjects

Interview

Which subject(s) do you teach?
I teach Recorder from beginner to College level, Piano from beginner to Grade 5, Clarinet from Beginner to Grade 5, and Theory from Grade 1 to Grade 8.
I can also offer aural training in preparation for Grade examinations

Tell me about your qualifications.
BA hons Exeter,
Cert Ed, from Institute of Education
Certificate of performance in Early Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama

What kind of experience do you have?
I have taught Recorder and Piano in many primary schools, secondary schools, private schools and music schools, since I qualified in 1979 as well as privately throughout this time. I have experience in running recorder ensembles from beginner to advanced and I currently have a thriving private practice teaching Recorder, Piano, Clarinet and Theory, and voice. I regularly arrange for my private students to be able to perform to other students and friends and family, and this is always a good social occasion for parents for and for the young performers.

How much do you charge?
I charge £37 per hour, and most lessons are half this and therefore only £18.50, but the consultation lesson is offerred free. When I have to travel I charge an amount to cover my transport costs plus an element for time.

Where do you teach?
I do most of my private teaching at home in East Dulwich, but at present once week I also teach in West Dulwich. The two nearest stations are East Dulwich train and Peckham Rye train, and local buses include the 37, 484, 185, 176,40, 63, 363, 197 and 12.

When are you available?
I currently have spaces at the following times: Mondays from 10.30-12.30 , Wednesdays from 10.00 - 3.30, Thursdays 10- 2. and Saturdays 9-10 am and 11-12. I don't usually teach during school holidays but am usually able to make up missed lessons during these periods.

Which ages and levels do you teach?
I currently teach children from the age of 4.5 to 19 , and I also teach four adults from the age of 29 to 58. I have students at present preparing for Grades 1 to 8 in recorder and 0 - Grade 4 in piano, grade 2 theory and three beginner clarinettists, but my students can progress without the need to take grade exams should they so wish.
I don't usually start children at this early age unless they have a supportive and musical family background, which will have nurtured their aptitude. Normally I feel that the age of 6 is a reasonable minimum age for fine coordination to be sufficient to be able to manage a musical instrument, though while this is true for budding recorder and piano players, I would recommend waiting until the age of 9 or 10 for clarinet lessons.

Do you have a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) disclosure certificate?
Yes I have a CRB disclosure certificate.

Do you belong to any professional organisations?
I belong to ERTA which is the European Recorder Teachers Association.

Where and with whom did you train?
I trained at the Royal Academy of Music as a Junior Exhibitioner, studying flute with Norman Knight and Derek Honner and also piano , and after going to Exeter University where I read Music, I went to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where I studied Recorder with Philip Pickett on the Post Grad Early Music Course, and then to the Institute of Education where I gained a PGCE in Secondary music education. Later I studied Recorder with Peter Holtslag in London, and played in masterclasses given by Walter van Hauwe, Kees Boeke, Ricardo Kanji and Jeanette van Wingerden in London, Amsterdam,Lacoste en Provence, Den Hague and Trondheim.

Tell me about some of your current students.
At the moment I have several young piano beginners, plus one working towards Grade 2 and another towards Grade 4, and even more recorder players from beginner aged 5 to having either taken Grade 8 and now working on diploma repertoire, or working towards Grade 8. I have one ex recorder student doing singing with me, two adult clarinettist beginners, and a 9 year old clarinettist, and all are give the opportunity to perform in pleasant surroundings to parent and peers a couple of times a year, at a venue in Herne Hill.

Do you have a personal message for students?
Two things are important! One, you must practice regularly and with focus, and two, the enjoyment will be enormous! Music is a wonderful thing for the soul as well as for the brain! And once you have gained the necessary skills you can make new friends by playing music together.

Articles

How I Started!
Subject: Recorder
Topic: why I became a tutor
Created: 28/03/2009