About

I started teaching piano aged 18 whilst studying for my teaching diploma and taught music in the European school in Brussels before my career took a different path and I spent several years promoting concerts and managing classical musicians in Brussels and London.

In 2004 I returned to teaching, studying for a PGCE in secondary music at Bath Spa University in 2006, before joining the Wiltshire Music Service in 2007.

I have a BA Honours Degree in Music from Newcastle University and Grade 8 Piano and Grade 7 Clarinet. Teaching offered in piano, keyboard, music theory, first access recorders, curriculum music and whole school and class singing.

With a natural nurturing approach and a belief in the power of music as a continual thread throughout my life this has now led me to completing an MA in Music Therapy at the University of the West of England. As a fully qualified and HCPC registered music therapist I am combining this passion in working with young people and adults with challenges in mental health and anxiety.

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What I / we help young people achieve

I love all sorts of music and hope to instill in my pupils a love of music too. Instrumental lessons include improvising, composing and listening to music as well as learning foundation skills to enable pupils to sit exams in ABRSM, Trinity and Trinity Rock and Pop.

At school I was fortunate to have lots of opportunities to be involved in music and also in county music bands where I played clarinet and bass clarinet. I want as many children as possible to experience that same opportunity to learn and be involved in music making. It is a fantastic skill as well as building confidence, teaches about discipline whilst also being fun, challenging and rewarding. With a holistic approach to teaching I want every pupil whether 6 or 60 (the range of my current pupils) to be able to achieve more than they thought possible.

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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
• To develop their wellbeing

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Times

• Term Time
• After School

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Working with special needs

Working therapeutically with pupils in both special needs and mainstream education. Providing pupils with a musical space to express emotions, connect with themselves and others and to aid communication.

Experience with working both in the classroom and individually with children on the autistic spectrum, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and recovering from serious head injury.

In all cases music has the ability to transcend, connect, move and open doors.

Also trained with Alzheimer’s Society Singing for the Brain. With the British Lung Foundation in Singing for Lung Health. Trained in Level 1 Bonny Method of Guided Imagery in Music.

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