I am a professional musician, freelancing on the clarinet with orchestras such as the Welsh National Opera, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, and Concert Orchestra de Cymru, and playing with the Bute Clarinet Quartet in venues around the UK. I studied the clarinet at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama for 6 years under Robert Plane (Principal Clarinet of BBC National Orchestra of Wales) and Timothy Lines (former Principal Clarinet of London Symphony Orchestra). At music college, I was a winner of the Concerto Trials and was awarded the John McIntyre Memorial Prize for Contribution to Orchestral Playing. I also won the North London Festival ‘Most Outstanding Reed Player’ prize in 2009.
I learnt piano from the age of eight, reaching my Grade 8, and have over 5 years’ experience accompanying grade exams. I also studied recorder from the age of five, gaining a Performer’s Certificate and performing in venues across Kent, and played tenor saxophone for several years in a Big Band.
Tutoring Experience:
Since I first started my Postgraduate course at music college in 2010 I have pursued a passion of spreading classical music to others through teaching. I have 8 years’ experience teaching clarinet, piano, saxophone, recorder and theory to all ages, from 5 to 75. At college I also studied teaching modules for two years and attained an ABRSM Diploma in Teaching. Every year I attend the Music Education Exposition in London to keep my teaching methods fresh and up-to-date.
Tutoring Approach:
I am very flexible with how the pupil enjoys learning music and try to work out the best solution for each individual. The majority of my pupils take ABRSM exams once they have reached the requisite standard, but I also teach people who are learning just for fun! All ages and standards are welcome, and I am more than happy to work on whichever styles my pupils prefer, be it classical, jazz, film tunes or Klezmer!
I provide a broad teaching curriculum, focusing simultaneously on developing technique, musicality, scales, theory and aural ability, to encourage the development of the pupil not just as an instrumental player but as a musician. This provides a solid base for them to progress from easily.
Every lesson focuses on a variety of styles of repertoire, music fundamentals, and development work tailored to each pupil. I always encourage pupils to take an active role in their choice of repertoire. I accompany my pupils in lessons and when they take exams, so they can experience the fun of playing as a group, and get lots of practice playing with a piano before events. I also regularly play aural tests on the piano for my pupils.
I truly believe everyone can learn an instrument and experience the joy of making music!
