About

Qualifications

Grade 8 Cello (distinction) – ABRSM, 2005

BMus hons Music (2:1) – Goldsmiths University, 2013

PGCE Primary Education – Roehampton University, 2015

About Me

I’m a trained primary school teacher and a classically trained cellist, with a particular passion for bringing music to children from a diverse range of backgrounds. I strongly believe that every child should be entitled to good quality, wide ranging musical experiences from a young age, and that socioeconomic status, gender, ethnicity or disability should not be barriers to accessing this.

Classroom teaching

I have been working as an educator since graduating from university; first as a teaching assistant, then as a class teacher in Early Years and KS1, and now as a music teacher from Nursery up to Year 6. I deliver whole class music lessons, using Kodály inspired pedagogy to develop children as well-rounded musicians. This involves singing, rhythm work, pitch practice, listening, movement, composition and playing with tuned and untuned percussion. I deliver whole school singing assemblies, and have run a key stage 1 and key stage 2 choir.

Cello teaching

I teach both children and adult students, ranging from beginner level to post grade 8. I have successfully prepared and entered students for ABRSM exams, but also enjoy teaching students who just want to have fun and aren’t interested in grades.

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What I / we help young people achieve

I aim to help young people achieve a solid musical grounding and confidence, and to instill in them a love and enjoyment of music. I teach using a scheme of work which has been carefully designed to introduce and develop musical concepts consistently across the primary age range.

As a trained teacher I am very aware of the importance of ongoing assessment for learning, and how it should filter into future planning. I use a systematic teaching progression that allows me to constantly assess the effectiveness of my teaching, and to address any gaps in knowledge. As children progress they begin to be able to combine their knowledge to make group compositions, scores and performances. Not all assessment is based on solo performance, and I've been researching the Sounds of Intent assessment framework which acknowledges progress in a non linear way.

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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 work with and support other young musicians

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Also Works With

South Gloucestershire Music Service

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Times

• Term Time
• After School
• School Holidays

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