Helen Heaton
About
I have been teaching piano, performing, accompanying and conducting in education and musical theatre in the Wilshire area for over 25 years. I have a B A Hons degree from Reading University and a B Ed degree in Secondary School Music teaching from Cardiff Institute of Higher Education (now Cardiff Metropolitan). I taught music at the John of Gaunt School, Trowbridge before leaving the classroom setting to start a family. I have also play the violin and flute and have played violin with North Wilts Orchestra. I now teach piano in several schools and privately.
As a performer and an accompanist I started as a rehearsal pianist in amateur theatre in my teens. I have continued with this to date. I am also a Musical Director and have worked on shows with TAOS Music theatre and CLOGS Musical Theatre. I was rehearsal pianist for Calne Choral Society for 13 years and I am currently also a cover pianist for The Pump Rooms, Bath. I also regularly accompany candidates in their instrumental exams and GCSE and A level recitals.
I try to encourage my pupils to play music in a variety of styles and I use a varied range of established tutor books. I am happy to prepare pupils for both practical and theory graded exams with ABRSM and Trinity College and I also support candidates with the performance element of their GCSE, A Level and BTECH qualifications. I have also assessed for the Duke of Edinburgh award skills section.
What I / we help young people achieve
Each pupil is an individual and so their musical journey should be unique to them. I see it as my role to give them an opportunity to be as good a musician as they can be whilst promoting the development of good pianistic technique. I try to give my pupils a thorough understanding of what they are doing at the keyboard and give them the playing and listening skills to be self learners.
At school and University I had lots of opportunity to be involved in music groups and shows as a piano/keyboard player and at a county level as a violinist. I also had the chance to tour America and Sweden so learning an Instrument can provide a wonderful opportunity to be involved in all types of music making. It’s fun, challenging, rewarding and confidence building and it’s all about the experience of achieving and working towards an end goal and meeting others performers and building friendships and relationships with others.
I encourage my pupils to perform to others be it to family, friends or in school assemblies and more formal concerts
Opportunities for children & young people
- To learn to play an instrument and / or develop skills on an instrument
- To create / write music and / or lyrics
- 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
Also Works With
TAOS Musical Theatre
CLOGS Musical Theatre
Clogettes Youth Theatre
Times
- Term Time
- After School
Working with special needs
I have worked with students with mild and moderate learning difficulties. I have always differentiated for my students and promoted inclusive learning.
Taught Instruments
- Piano / Keyboard
- Curriculum Music (Secondary)
- Music Theory
- Musical Director / Conductor
Ages Taught
- 5-6
- 7-10
- 11-13
- 14-15
- 16+
Level Taught
- Beginners
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Qualifications, Grades & Certificates Taught
- Instrument grades
- Duke of Edinburgh Award
Musical Clusters Covered
- Chippenham
- B-on-A / Corsham
Endorsements
‘Thank you for everything you have done over the last 7 years. He still enjoys playing as much as when he first began lessons with you so I am sure it will stay with him for life’ – Parent
‘We really appreciate all the effort and support . You have inspired him so much and he enjoys playing the piano because of you’ – Parent of year 6.
My Training & Development
I feel it’s important to regulate and assess what I’m teaching and how I’m teaching it. I read, research, attend meets with other music professional to share best practice. I also engage in CPD training with the ISM, ABRSM, Trinity College exam boards, for example via webinar, and through the schools I teach in.