Music, and piano playing, has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I studied music to degree level, gaining a BA Hons in Music from York University.
My primary aim as a piano teacher is to develop a life-long love of music in each of my pupils. I aim to make all lessons fun and meaningful in a creative way, so that pupils feel motivated and inspired, and I introduce each student to a full range of different musical styles, including classical, jazz and pop music.
I take a holistic approach to teaching the piano, providing structured lessons and effective practice strategies that include a range of activities and approaches to enable pupils to develop as both pianists and well-rounded musicians. Lessons include learning and playing from notation and lead sheets, developing technical skills, playing by ear, improvising, composing and music theory, along with other practical musicianship skills including sight-reading and aural perception. I teach both children and adults and, as every student is different, all lessons are tailored to the needs and requirements of each individual pupil.
While examinations are a useful motivational tool and a progress indicator, they are not the primary focus of my teaching. However, I am happy to prepare and enter pupils for examinations if they wish to take them, and when they are ready. I use any appropriate exam board syllabus, including ABRSM and TCL.
Professional development is important to me to keep my teaching fresh and relevant. I gained the ABRSM Certificate of Music Educators and the CertPTC after completing the renowned European Piano Teachers Association (EPTA) UK Piano Teacher’s Course in 2016, and I keep myself up to date with regular attendance at teaching conferences, workshops and study days. I have a DipABRSM in Music performance.
I am a full member of EPTA-UK, The Curious Piano Teachers, Vibrant Music Teaching and Sound Sense.