| Subject | Age/level and price |
|---|---|
|
Primary Age - £15 - 30min
Secondary Age - £15 - 30min
Adult Learner - £15 - 30min
Beginners - price upon request
Advanced - price upon request
|
|
|
Primary Age - £15 - 30min
Secondary Age - £15 - 30min
Adult Learner - £15 - 30min
Beginners - price upon request
Advanced - price upon request
|
| Institution | Town | Speciality | Degree | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Kingston-Upon-Thames | Kingston-Upon-Thames | Music Education | Bachelor | 1989 |
I teach from my home in Vale Street, Amblecote, and also travel to my pupils to teach where time and distance permits (and where a suitable instrument is available for both tuition and practice between lessons). Currently I teach around twenty-five to thirty pupils per week, ranging in age from five to sixty-five. Lessons are usually on a regular weekly basis and range from 20 minutes (for very young beginners) up to an hour for more advanced students. Fees are tailored according to duration and location of lessons. Entrance to ABRSM graded exams is encouraged (but not obligatory), as is participation in local music festivals each year. I believe exams are a means to an end but should not be an end in themselves. Understanding and enjoyment of the music performed are paramount, as is developing technical proficiency on the instrument. Likewise, I place particular emphasis on the experience to be gained from performing music in front of an audience, rather than the purely competitive side of music festivals. I aim to teach to the highest standards, and many of my pupils obtain merits and distinctions in both their practical and theory grades, as well as regularly achieving 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in their respective festival classes. I aim to teach my students not only to become good pianists, but well rounded musicians. To this end, I place emphasis on developing good sight-reading skills and aural ability, as well as encouraging my pupils to adopt good practice habits from an early stage. Theory and history of music, including awareness and understanding of different musical styles and forms, is also something which I incorporate into my teaching, as is the compositional element - being a significant requirement of the GCSE and A level school music curriculum. Theory tuition is also offered separately. By developing the above skills on the piano, I fully believe in helping my students to become self-sufficient musicians who can then continue learning and enjoying music for themselves. In addition, I believe this will help them develop skills relevant to many other disciplines, activities, and everyday situations, including: gaining in self-confidence; the ability to communicate and interact well with others; improving manual dexterity; and improving brain function (in terms of cognitive ability, lateral thinking, spatial awareness, and motor co-ordination skills) - even for those who do not go on to study or perform music at higher levels. |
