Gemma Tucker Music
About
I’m a woodwind teacher, specialising in flute but I also teach recorder and alto saxophone. Being an instrumental teacher means I am able to combine my love of music with my primary teaching experiences to work with young people in schools, as well as other individuals of any age. I have a dedicated home teaching space to teach and I also offer teaching via Zoom. I am a qualified primary school teacher with a BA (Hons) qualification and I taught in the primary classroom for 10 years where I led curriculum music for a time and supported the music lead with all musical activities and performances.
As a player and performer myself, I’m used to rehearsing in big bands, ensembles and community performance projects on the flute and saxophone in smaller events (such as parties, gigs, weddings) as well as larger theatre venues. My experience of playing, performing and teaching spans across over 25 years.
I see performing and playing with others crucial to the success and enjoyment of the process of learning an instrument. It’s key to sustaining the love of playing. With that in mind, I am in the process of setting up a flute choir at Wiltshire Rural Music where players of a range of experiences and ages can get together to play the flute in a supportive environment, with the aim of performing to others.
I also run a baby/toddler/preschooler music franchise business in the Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon area, called Moo Music.
What I / we help young people achieve
My focus in lessons is to offer praise and build the young learners' confidence in learning their instrument. It can be a challenging skill and this is their hobby which is to be enjoyed in a relaxed environment. It's also important that they have a sense of achievement and can see the progress themselves, through making own judgements of their learning. When beginner learners are ready, they are given the opportunity to work towards a graded exam if they choose to.
I encourage all my young players to join ensembles as this not only improves their playing skills but it offers them an opportunity to listen to others, improve their confidence, gain new experiences and enjoy playing alongside others. Making friends who have similar interests is also important and helps to support their general wellbeing.
Opportunities for children & young people
- To learn to play an instrument and / or develop skills on an instrument
- To play, perform music with others
- To learn things about oneself , other subjects or life-skills through musical activity
- To work with and support other young musicians
- To develop their wellbeing
Times
- Term Time
- After School
- Weekends
- School Holidays
Working with special needs
As a primary school teacher I worked with a number of children with special needs within the classroom environment.
Taught Instruments
- Woodwind
Ages Taught
- 4 and under
- 5-6
- 7-10
- 11-13
- 14-15
- 16+
Level Taught
- Beginners
- Intermediate
- Tasters
Qualifications, Grades & Certificates Taught
- Instrument grades
Musical Clusters Covered
- B-on-A / Corsham
- Calne & Melksham
- Trowbridge (CSL)
- Devizes
- Warminster
- Westbury
Endorsements
‘I’m a big fan of you, your playing and your approach and I know it resonates with people. You have a great temperament, are encouraging, firm and articulate so you guide learners well. You’re perfect to defuse all the confidence and ego hang ups that adults sometimes have! I hope we get to play together again sometime.’ James Avison
My Training & Development
BA (Hons) qualified in Primary Teaching
Prevent Strategy Training
Awareness of Child Abuse and Neglect
Grade 3, 4, 5 and 7 flute (ABRSM)
Excellence in Instrumental and Vocal Teaching (MES online course)
Leading my own flute choir is going to be a great opportunity to develop my coaching skills and working with musicians of a similar background/aims.