About me

I started learning the piano from an early age, by performing at the Maidenhead and Slough Music Festivals. At the age of thirteen I won a top music scholarship to Downside School, near Bath. While there I continued performing in music competitions in solo classical piano, jazz ensemble and saxophone (which I took up as my second instrument). I completed my graded exams at the age of fifteen, achieving a Merit with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM).

I began teaching piano in 1999, as well as continuing with music studies (gaining a CT ABRSM and a DipABRSM) believing that it is important to stay dynamic and flexible with new teaching ideas.

About the teacher and teaching

Piano Playing (formerly Harmonics Pianoforte) was established in 1965.
The teaching philosophy at Piano Playing emphasises enjoyment, progress and individual learning styles. All beginners are guided through their initial learning stages by a book written in the 1970s by the founder. It has been very successful in helping pupils at the early stages of learning and is still in use today. It can also be purchased for £8 (including P&P).

The traditions still continue whilst I dedicate time to refining and expanding my teaching techniques through further training. Such ideas include:

• Helping to understand the student’s likes and dislikes through
  recordings and concerts;
• Offering ideas on how to practise at home;
• Recording your playing (this often helps to distance oneself from the music thus enabling one to hear their progress);
• Keeping a musical diary;
• Rewards for musical achievement;
• The use of demonstration and technical exercises necessary for the translation of written music to performance;
• Discussion and research to further refine interpretation of a piece of music;
• Encouragement of music collaboration (duets, instrumental
  accompaniment, singing).

Lessons are one-to-one and last from 30-45 minutes on a weekly basis in blocks of six lessons. Parents are encouraged to be present during teaching in order to gain first hand knowledge of progress and how they can help shape and support their child’s practice sessions at home.