My Approach to Teaching
Every pupil is different, so I tailor lessons to suit individual needs, interests and goals. Some pupils simply want to play for enjoyment, while others prefer a more structured approach, working towards graded exams.
My aim is to keep lessons relaxed, enjoyable and fun, helping pupils build confidence and progress at their own pace.
I also use Piano Maestro, a fun, interactive app that lets pupils play along with backing music from their very first few notes.
With a great choice of Pop, Disney and other favourites, it makes learning fun and motivating.
Pupils with an iPad also receive complimentary home access, included as part of their lessons.
For younger pupils, I like to include a variety of activities to keep lessons engaging. Piano Maestro can be a fun reward towards the end of a lesson after they have worked hard on their piano playing and musical skills.
For pupils who choose to work towards graded exams, I use the ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) examination board.
PIANO LESSONS TAILORED TO YOU
My Story
How My Musical Jouney Started
My love of music began at just three years old when my Nan bought me a little toy piano.
My parents soon realised I had a natural ear for music when they heard me playing the EastEnders theme tune by ear!
I began learning the recorder at primary school and loved spending time teaching myself new notes and tunes.
As I got older, I took every musical opportunity that came my way. While waiting for a place to become available for piano lessons, I began learning the clarinet, following in the footsteps of my Grandad, who had played clarinet in the Army.
I progressed quickly and was entered straight into Grade 3 for my very first clarinet exam, achieving just two marks below a distinction.
My school years were filled with music. I learnt to play the bassoon and treble recorder, played in orchestras and later took lessons on the trumpet, joining the school brass band as well as playing clarinet in the school orchestra.
I joined just about every music club going and could often be found spending my lunchtimes in the music room!
My curiosity for different instruments continued outside school too. I would borrow my friend's flute and tutor book and teach myself to play. In my twenties, I finally bought a flute of my own, had some lessons and went on to achieve my Grade 5 flute exam.
At around the age of 12, I finally had the opportunity I had been waiting for and began piano lessons. I was very fortunate to have an incredibly supportive and motivating piano teacher in Kenilworth, who encouraged my love of music and had a lasting influence on me. She also encouraged me to go into teaching. We remain very good friends to this day.
Music has therefore been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. My love of playing, learning and discovering music eventually developed into an equally strong passion for sharing that enjoyment with others through teaching.
In the Choir at High School
Learning the Trumpet
In the High School Orchestra
MY JOURNEY INTO TEACHING
In my early 20s, I began teaching a small number of piano pupils part-time alongside my career as a Local Government Officer. At that stage in my life, I hadn’t yet considered piano teaching as a full-time career.
Then when my eldest child started school, I decided it was the perfect time to make piano teaching my full-time career, giving me the flexibility to work around my young family.
I began teaching on a self employed basis at a local studio and gradually built my business up from there.
Since then, my teaching has grown considerably and I now teach over 50 pupils, both from my own private studio and at a private school, where I teach one day a week.
What started as a way to combine my love of music with family life has developed into a career that I genuinely love.
