I began learning to play the piano at age 4, pestering my mum, a piano teacher, to tell me more about what she was teaching others. Mum is still teaching at the age of 81 and has helped countless pupils learn to play, understand and enjoy music. Having Mum as my teacher meant that practice was non-negotiable..... And we even survived my teenage years!
At school, I was also privileged to learn to play the flute, playing in the wind band and orchestra.
I achieved grade 8 in both instruments, but most importantly, I gained a deep love for music and for playing, either as a soloist or as part of an ensemble, including a jazz band at university. Additionally, I sat a piano duet exam with my mum, playing the same pieces she had with her teacher back in the 1960s! We were one of only a handful of people who ever sat these exams. We had such a laugh playing together and we still do,
Knowing I needed to save up for a car, I began teaching piano, flute and music theory at the age of 14. Whilst keeping lessons enjoyable, through attention to detail, I was able to help pupils achieve good results in the ABRSM exams. I was quickly able to gain a good reputation and expand my pupil base, teaching after school and at weekends. Nearly 40 years later, I continue to enjoy helping and nurturing others to learn to read and play music.
Although I trained and worked as a chartered surveyor, I continued to teach in my spare time as I enjoyed passing on my knowledge and skills. Also, it ensured I continued practising and playing for my own pleasure.
Since moving back to Beverley in the summer of 2024, I have chosen to increase my teaching time and take on additional pupils. I love seeing pupils' confidence grow along with encouraging them to explore new genres of music. Whether it is to take exams or play simply for pleasure, I try to explain the theory behind the music as I believe this helps build a better understanding and in turn more confidence in playing.
When I started out teaching, I never imagined how many adult pupils I would have, but my students are around 50:50 children and adults. Some of my older pupils have come back to playing having learnt as children, but others are absolute beginners. The younger students are a joy to teach as they soak up knowledge like a sponge.,
Personally, my music tastes are, to say the the lease, eclectic! My Radio 4 Desert Island Discs are currently, although subject to change, are:
(the disc I would rescue from the waves as it is not possible to live without this!)
My qualifications include MA (Cantab), MSc. I also have an up-to-date DBS and child safeguarding certificate. I teach the ABRSM syllabus.