Teaching

Based in Bowdon, Altrincham, I currently teach around 45 pupils weekly to play the piano. I strive each week to give every student the attention and opportunities they deserve. I teach pupils from the age of 3 upwards from complete beginner to Grade 8/Diploma standard and beyond. I am qualified as not only a professional concert pianist but also specifically in the specialty of piano teaching via both a two year piano pedagogy specialty from the RNCM and an instrumental teaching diploma from the ABRSM. Whilst at the RNCM I was trained by world renowned professors and concert pianists throughout my studies and I currently have around 15 years of teaching and performing experience.

I have previously worked in various schools and studios in the North West as both a piano teacher and accompanist. These include the Belvedere Preparatory School in Liverpool, Forest Preparatory School in Timperley and Rimmer's Music in Bury. I will happily travel to your home locally for your piano lessons (this includes Hale, Bowdon and Hale Barns, for a small additional charge). I also teach at my home in Bowdon, these lessons will take place on an upright Yamaha piano and I have the facility also to occasionally let my students who are preparing for an exam or recital to have some lesson time on a Kawai grand piano. Availability for lessons at my home are very limited as I mostly travel to others for their lessons - so please bear this in mind when requesting where you would prefer the lesson to take place. If you wish to have the lessons at your home you must have a suitable piano/digital piano, it must be at a minimum, a full size (88 key) weighted digital piano with touch sensitive keys and a sustain pedal.

Lots of my students, on top of their grade exams, festivals and other performances, use their skills to complete the performance elements of both GCSE and A Level Music, where I can also help them prepare enough theory/aural knowledge and understanding to help the composition and listening exam elements feel easier at exam time. I have regularly gone into many schools in Manchester to accompany my students in the ensemble element of their GCSE performance. I also encourage my students in senior school to use their lessons to help complete their Duke of Edinburgh Awards (DofE), of which I regularly write up Assessor's Reports for Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. I can also comfortably teach Music Theory up to Grade 8 level and can do this both in person or online at the same rates as my piano lessons, see below. I do not offer regular fortnightly lessons although you can book a short course for a set fee or ad hoc lessons if you are available outside of my peak teaching hours.

My Qualifications

• DipABRSM with Distinction in Instrumental Teaching - Piano
• ISM Registered Private Teacher Status
• LRSM in Piano Performance
• Bmus(Hons) in Piano Performance - Royal Northern College of Music
• Grade 8 ABRSM in Music Theory
• NSPCC Certificate in Child Protection Awareness in Music Education
• Full enhanced DBS Certificate
• Full MISM member from the ISM

Past pupil success

• Recent success at the Alderley Edge Festival where two pupils won the Grade 3 award amidst very strong competition and two others scored very highly with an 85% and 86% in their categories.
• I have had many successes with my pupils winning trophies and medals at internal music festivals at schools including Stockport Grammar and Manchester High for Girls.
• Two of my pupils has been accepted to study at the Junior RNCM as of September 2018 & 2019 - congratulations!

Lots of my pupils, both children and adults, work towards ABRSM grade exams of which all my pupils entered to date have enjoyed great success. Often, however, adult learners specifically take up the piano with their own personal goals and enjoyment in mind. I am happy to teach towards anyone's requirement, be it a short intensive course or a pace that suits you, the only requirement is that you love music and you are prepared to put in the practice!

My facilities

I hold a wide range of material for teaching. I have a variety of music scores at all levels and all pupils will need a notebook so I can write up their weekly practice (I do provide these).

Teaching Rates

In addition to these prices I also charge a small travel fee for local students. Please enquire for details of my term schedules, travel fees and cancellation policy.