About

Nominated for Outstanding Contribution to Music Education 2020 in the Wiltshire Music Education Awards.  I am a well qualified and highly regarded pianist and music teacher with many years experience. I trained as a secondary specialist music teacher at Newton Park College, now Bath Spa University and began a private piano teaching practice 35 years ago. I was appointed as a Piano Teacher at John Bentley School in 1991, where I still work as a Piano and Music Theory teacher. In my time at John Bentley I have also done some class teaching and regularly act as an accompanist for concerts and examinations (GCSE, A level and Instrumental Music Exams). I have been employed by Wiltshire Music Service since the mid 90s and my work for them has included instrumental tuition (piano and electronic keyboard), class music (key stages 1, 2 and 3) and group recorder lessons. I run an active Private Practice both at my studio in Calne and online, and have worked with students of all ages and abilities including those with special educational needs. I am involved with choir training in a local choir.

My relevant formal qualifications are Cert Ed, ALCM (Piano Performing), LGSM (Piano Teaching), Post Graduate Diploma in Music Teaching in Private Practice with Distinction (Reading University), Grade 8 Recorder (ABRSM), Grade 6 Clarinet (ABRSM) and Grade 5 Viola (ABRSM). Fellow of the Incorporated Society of Musicians.

I was involved in setting up a concert venue and exam centre (ABRSM) in Calne and act as an Honorary Local Representative for the ABRSM regularly arranging exam sessions and High Scorers’ Concerts.

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What I / we help young people achieve

My teaching was rated as outstanding in all areas at my last observation in February 2014. (Learning, Pupil Response, Pupil Progress and Teaching). Comments included, "You have excellent subject knowledge and you convey this to the pupils with ease and confidence." , "The students were engaged throughout the lesson.", and "You allow students to have independence with their learning."

My lessons are designed around the aspirations of each individual pupil but I encourage students to take internationally recognized music exams. My candidates have been successful in ABRSM and Trinity College London Music exams grades 1-8, many achieving merits and distinctions. Some of my students have learnt with me from beginner to grade 8 and have gone on to have careers in music. Students regularly perform in concerts.

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Opportunities for children & young people

• To learn to play an instrument and / or develop skills on an instrument
• To learn to sing
• 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

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Times

• Term Time
• After School
• Weekends

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Working with special needs

I have worked with students with dyslexia, dyspraxia, brain damage, ADHD and some on the Autistic Spectrum.  In October 2019 I attended a training session on teaching music to dyslexic students which was endorsed by the BDA.

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