Piano lessons in Barkingside

Hi, I’m Rob, and I believe learning music should be as enjoyable as it is rewarding. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to build on your existing skills, I’ll help you achieve your musical goals in a relaxed and supportive environment. Mistakes are part of learning here—it’s all about having fun and making progress at your own pace. Why Learn with Me? Here’s what you can expect from my lessons: Completely Tailored Lessons: Whether you’re learning for fun or aiming for gradings, I’ll create lessons built around your goals. Learn Songs You Love: We’ll focus on music that excites you, whether it’s pop, rock, classical, jazz, or film scores. Beginner-Friendly: You don’t need any experience to get started. This is a safe space where it’s okay to make mistakes and learn at your own pace. No Instrument? No Problem: Not ready to invest in an instrument? Come try a lesson using my Guitar, Bass Guitar, or Piano, and see if it’s for you before making a purchase. I can also recommend the best instruments when you’re ready to buy. Quick Progress: In as little as 6 lessons (or sooner), you’ll be able to play or sing something recognizable and feel confident in your progress. All Ages Welcome: I teach students of all ages, from beginners to advanced, and I'm happy to work with learners at any stage of their musical journey. Your First Lesson The first lesson is all about understanding your goals and interests. We’ll discuss the music you love, what you’d like to achieve, and how I can support you. Whether it’s learning your favorite songs, improving your technique, or diving into music theory, I’ll create a plan just for you. A Little About Me With over 20 years of experience as a multi-instrumentalist and teacher, I’ve worked with students from all walks of life. I teach singing, piano, guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, and music theory. I’m a Grade 8 pianist, an experienced accompanist, and a performer in choirs, bands, and as a soloist. My lessons are designed to make music enjoyable and accessible, no matter your starting point. If you’re ready to explore music, message me today to book your first lesson. I’d love to help you on your journey to becoming a confident musician! Qualifications: ABRSM Grade 8 Pianoforte, ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory

Would you like a patient, thoughtful and engaging teacher, who will help you to grow your enthusiasm for the flute? With a first class Music BA from the University of Bristol, a  Masters with distinction in Music Therapy at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and extensive experience playing with orchestras and ensembles, I will use my skills and experience to help you to progress to the next level! I have current experience working with children with music therapy and music teaching, and have a playtul, creative approach, that encourages self expression and fun! I have experience playing flute, piccolo and alto flute in a variety of settings in London and the South West including music therapy, orchestral performances (Brixton Chamber Orchestra, Bristol Classical Players, Nailsea Concert Orchestra), chamber performances with my wind quintet (Brigstow Quintet), amateur musical pit bands (performances including Hairspray, Beauty and the Beast and The Wiz) and flute ensembles. My performances have included a versatile mix of genres and styles including jazz, RnB, contemporary flute compositions, film music and Irish folk music. Simultaneously I have a rich depth and knowledge of classical flute repertoire (baroque, classical, romantic). I also have experience in improvisation, having been taught under jazz professor, trombonist and music therapist Sarah Gail-Brand at Guildhall School of Music and Drama. If I sound like the teacher for you, please get in touch 😊

I pride myself in being a great listener who caters for each student’s needs individually, whether the lessons are for fun, grades or profession. I can set out termly plans to achieve goals but also enjoy the spontaneity of covering whatever the student wants to learn in each lesson. I advocate curiosity and self-discovery and I like to help students find out what sparks their interest and creativity. I started teaching university students, one to one, while studying at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge in 2015 and have since progressed to be able to teach a variety of age groups, from infant to mature. I have also taught students with ADHD and dyslexia. My lessons on the Electric Bass cover beginner to advanced levels in playing techniques, fretboard navigation, time keeping, genre studies (Jazz, Funk, Rock, Blues, World) and reading bass notation and chord charts. My lessons on the piano cover beginner to intermediate levels in Classical, Pop, T.V/ Film and video game repertoire, keyboard navigation and reading notation. My Music Theory lessons cover beginner to advanced levels in melody, harmony and rhythm analysis, notation, transposition and composition. I typically use the ABRSM books to teach but also provide practical exercises when needed. I am also happy to assist with all major exam boards; ABRSM, Trinity, Rockschool etc. *Please come to all lessons equipped with manuscript paper and stationary (pencil, rubber etc). For bass lessons, please make you have all the required equipment for me to hear you online (amp, jack lead). Headphones and a clip on microphone are also advised but not mandatory. Professional background I have been playing Electric Bass across the U.K. and internationally for 13 years, covering the genres Rock, Pop, Funk, Jazz, Fusion and World and feature on several albums and studio recordings. My current work comprises of performing with the Rock band ‘Sweet Crisis’, Soul singer ‘Ollie Lepage Dean’, Jazz Fusion guitarist ‘Chanan Hanspal’ and wedding bands ‘Bespoke Party Bands’, ‘Blue Lion’ and ‘Swagger’. ‘Home Sweet Home’ by Lepage Dean (2019). Available to stream on all online platforms. ‘Tricks On My Mind’ by Sweet Crisis. Available to stream and purchase everywhere from August 20th 2021. Originally self taught for 6 years, I received formal training from 2014 – 2017 during my studies at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, U.K, and Ramapo College of New Jersey by world class bassists Tiago Coimbra and Tony Cimorosi, respectively. So far, my career highlights include numerous festival dates and tours with Ollie Lepage Dean and Sweet Crisis, such as the Cheltenham Jazz Festival (2017), Nanjing Jazz Festival (2018, performing 13 dates over 2 weeks) and Ramblin’ Man Festival (2019). I also feature on the album ‘Only Two Things Are Infinite’ by Chanan Hanspal (2018), alongside Jazz legends Bill Evans and Mike Stern. I also play Double Bass and received lessons with Pete Hill, Tony Cimorosi and Daphna Sadeh-Neu and now mostly focus on playing Jazz, Latin and Folk music.I was also classically trained on the Piano from 2009 – 2014 in Felixstowe by Chandra Grover, then until early 2015 by Phillip Mead in Cambridge. Nowadays I transfer my Piano skills to teaching and composing, although I did play Keyboards with Cambridge act, The Sound Of Pop Art, for 6 months in 2015 and feature on their album ‘Drama’, released in 2016. Music Qualifications & Achievements: 2.1 B.A (Hons) Degree achieved at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge in 2017. Grade 6 ABRSM Piano certificate achieved in 2015. Grade 8 Rockschool Bass Guitar certificate achieved in 2013. Grade 6 ABRSM Music Theory certificate achieved in 2013. Level 1 Safeguarding awarded by Prospero Teaching in 2020

Christopher is an award-winning jazz pianist with twenty years of experience. Having also been trained classically, his style is a blend of the two disciplines, lending him a sought-after uniqueness and creativity. Having led a variety of ensembles, either under his own name or on behalf of others (e.g. conducting big bands run by others), Christopher is accustomed to managing the various needs of the ensemble whilst also ensuring that the minutiae of the performance are being attended to, teaching members of said ensembles jazz standards, tempos and general playing philosophies. What’s more, having been the resident pianist and leader of a weekly jazz jam for many years, Christopher would work alongside a variety of musicians, some of whom had never performed onstage at all before that night. Therefore, he became acclimatised to finding a pattern of speaking that was soothing to said musicians, whilst also learning a pragmatic approach to providing emotional support that was intrinsically bolstering to amateur musicians. Furthermore, as a leader, he was often looked to for advice that was both technical and philosophical in nature, making Christopher well-versed in helping amateur musicians eruditely, efficiently, and effectively. As a tutor, Christopher has experience hosting, and teaching, a variety of students face-to-face at his own home, teaching both classical and jazz, and has a familiarity with the standards and practices that ensure the hosted student feels comfortable, safe and secure. He also has a familiarity with teaching students at their homes, having taught students of a wide range of ages and abilities in this way. What’s more, the COVID crisis necessitated that he also acquired an awareness of methodologies that work online with respect to teaching. As a professional, gigging musician, Christopher has witnessed first-hand the extent to which music is a source of joy – therefore, Christopher’s philosophy is one of nurturance and patience as, if the willingness to learn is coming from a joyful and exuberant place, one should not feel punished for, for example, not having found time to have practised that week. Christopher will work at your pace, ensuring you feel comfortable and secure at every step of the process.

Qualifications: QTLS (Qualified Teacher of Learning & Skills), Certificate In Education, Advanced Diploma In Popular Music Practice, Certificate In Assessing Vocational Achievement From an early age, music has shaped the core of who I am and how I express myself. I grew up in East London with a deep curiosity for sound, beginning my journey on guitar before moving naturally to piano by the age of eight. Those early explorations led me into formal playing by my mid-teens, when I became the regular pianist at my local church. It was there that I also discovered a love for vocal harmony and arrangement, working within a small male harmony group and crafting intricate vocal textures for our performances. By the age of sixteen, I was already composing, producing, and recording original ideas using a simple four-track setup at home. While developing my own material, I also began working as a session musician on the gospel and R&B circuit. This hands-on experience exposed me to a wide range of musical styles, live performance environments, and creative collaborations. Those early years built a foundation of versatility, adaptability, and professionalism that I carry into all of my musical work today. Over time, my role in music expanded beyond performance. I continued to write, arrange, and produce across genres including gospel, garage, R&B, jazz, and spoken word. As a session player and arranger, I worked with countless vocalists, musicians, and producers, contributing keyboard parts, bass lines, backing arrangements, and full production work where needed. This period taught me the importance of understanding both the artistic and technical sides of music, and helped refine my ability to support an artist’s vision authentically. My musical direction experience also grew during this time, leading me to take on leadership roles with choirs, vocal groups, and community ensembles. I wrote and arranged material for national projects and large-scale concerts, and began teaching keyboard and vocal workshops to groups of aspiring musicians. Teaching quickly became a parallel passion. Over the years, I have taught music technology, composition, performance, production, and music business at college level, supporting the development of countless young musicians. Alongside teaching, I built my own small production company and studio, where I have produced albums, singles, and demo projects for emerging talent. The studio has allowed me to work hands-on with new artists—particularly within gospel, hip-hop, and R&B—helping them develop their sound, write with authenticity, and enter the industry with confidence. My commitment to supporting young creatives also led to the founding of a performing arts charity focused on community outreach, workshops, and youth engagement. Through this initiative, I helped organise concerts and programmes aimed at promoting positivity and peace among young people, strengthening the local creative community through music. Even during periods where teaching and charitable work took the forefront, the pull of live performance and studio production never left. I eventually returned more fully to the music circuit, continuing to collaborate on various projects with vocalists, bands, and producers. Today, I remain active as a composer, producer, musician, educator, and mentor—drawing on decades of experience to support both established and emerging artists. At my core, I am someone who believes deeply in the transformative power of music. Whether on stage, in the studio, or in the classroom, my goal is always the same: to create, to inspire, and to help others realise their musical potential.I am an experienced and qualified teacher, as well as being a professional musician. Being a qualified teacher has enabled me to develop the skills, to provide engaging, adaptable multi sensory lessons, to enable students to develop quickly and achieve their personal goals.

Sam read Music at the University of Manchester during which he developed his primary skills as a pianist Upon graduating in 2013, he moved to Ely and then Oxford, becoming a Bass Lay Clerk at cathedrals in both cities. Whilst living in Oxford Sam developed a thriving teaching practice both freelance and employed as an academic music tutor at Oxford Tutorial College. Today, Sam resides in South East London and leads a busy career as a singer, pianist and a teacher. Since moving to London in 2016, Sam has performed frequently with many of the UK’s leading choirs, including The Sixteen, The BBC Singers and Tenebrae. He spent seven and a half years singing with the acclaimed vocal group The Gesualdo Six, recording nine albums and performing to audiences across Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. As well as cultivating his deep love for ensemble singing, he unexpectedly came out of the group instilled with a passion for cricket. Sam’s teaching aims to promote an efficient and flexible technique that serves the narrative of the music, whilst instilling and nurturing a fun and individual learning process for each student.