Piano lessons in Crystal Palace

Hello my name is Franck Alba. I am a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter music teacher and producer. Born in France but a resident of South London since the 1990’s, I have etched out a formidable portfolio, which includes recording with the seminal DJ/producer Andrew Weatherall and with my own groups, Low Road and Fireflies (the latter’s music was recently featured in the popular BBC One tv series, ‘Killing Eve‘). As a member of the Anglo-French ghostrock group, Piano Magic, from 2002 to 2016, I toured numerous times across the Continent and played as far and wide as Moscow and Istanbul. I am also featured on six of the band’s studio albums and a whole plethora of associated recordings, collaborating with the likes of Dead Can Dance, Low, John Grant and Vashti Bunyan. Though I began studying violin at the age of six, I fell headfirst in love with guitars in my early teens. At 16, heavily influenced by artists such as The Cure, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Cocteau Twins, Depeche Mode, Nick Drake, The Durutti Column and many more, I formed my first bands, ‘Siamese Angels’ and ‘Something Else’ . Before long, whilst studying at the jazz music school IMFP in Salon de Provence, I began playing professional concerts around his native south of France. On moving to London in the late 90’s, I joined various short-lived bands and cut my teeth playing extensively on the city’s buzzing live circuit. My most recent work includes writing and recording for Theory of ghosts EP 1 & 2 (2019-2020) and a full Album coming out January 2026, recording sessions for Andrew Weatherall’s 2014-2019, acclaimed solo album ‘Convenanza’ ,various remixes and live performances with the Woodleigh Research Facility (WRF). I am currently collaborating with innumerable artists, singer-songwriters, film makers alongside working on my solo albums. I have been teaching guitar, bass, drums, singing, music theory and improvisation for more than 20 years beside my own music career.

I’m a professional musician who specialises in guitar, music theory, singing, piano and songwriting. I play in an alternative / indie rock band but have experience playing both classical and jazz guitar. I am passionate about teaching and I have experience of tutoring people of different ages with varying abilities, both in person and over zoom in preparation for formal music exams and also on a more casual basis. I always ask my pupils to make me a playlist of their favourite songs and then from that I create lesson plans based around their interests in music. For example, if the pupil wants to learn how to improvise, I would teach the pupil scales found in their chosen songs and we would examine how they are used in contexts they are familiar with. I pride myself in being a flexible and adaptive teacher in which I adapt lessons to the specific needs of the pupil and find ways to keep it fun and engaging! Music Qualifications & Achievements: I have a First Class Honours Degree in Music from Goldsmiths College, University of London. I am a touring musician and have recently been on UK tours supporting Wet Leg, The Big Moon, Dream Wife and Billy Nomates.

I have been teaching singing and music for 5 years. I am a professional musician and musical theatre performer and have been performing professionally since the age of 8. I grew up performing in a folk band where we would travel around the UK performing at festivals and clubs. I play over 7 different instruments because of this and when I finished school I was accepted into a drama college where I trained for 3 years in Musical Theatre. I have taught music and singing at drama colleges and youth performing arts schools both 1to1 and in-class settings and have performed in various band both singing and playing instruments such as piano, guitar and bass. Since graduating I have gigged around the country with various bands, performed as a soloist, been Musical Director and am currently performing at the O2 Arena in Mamma Mia! The Party UK. I have a huge passion for music and absolutely love giving people the opportunity through teaching to find that passion for themselves too. I like to make my lessons as fun as possible and will help you work towards your own goals, whether that be taking parts in exams or just playing and singing for the love of it. Music Qualifications & Achievements: Professional Diploma in Musical Theatre at Performance Preparation Academy, currently a musician and performer in Mamma Mia! The Party at London’s O2 Arena Musical director of Vernon God Little at Yvonne Arnauds Mill Theatre 2018 Singer and bassist for Sensation, the music of the Who UK Featured Singer for Hats off to Led Zeppelin UK 2017 Played Ilse in Spring Awakening 2016 Played Mary Flynn in Merrily We Roll Along 2017 Featured artist on Sky Arts Fairport Conventions Cropredy Festival 2010 Played Piano for 20+ years, Flute for 15+, Guitar for 15+, Bass for 10+

I am a Welsh harpist and pianist who has recently moved to Croydon and I enjoy teaching both harp and piano children and adult pupils. I first studied harp, piano, and musicianship at the William Mathias Music Centre in Caernarfon with Elinor Bennett, Iwan Llywelyn Jones and Sioned Webb. Born in Mynytho at the heart of the Llŷn Peninsula, I have enjoyed many successes in Welsh Eisteddfodau and festivals including first prize in harp competitions at the National Eisteddfod and the National Cerdd Dant Festival. I am lucky to have had a variety of unique experiences, including performing Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro and Paul Patterson’s Spiders Web at the Dora Stoutzker Concert Hall, being invited to perform with Catrin Finch at the World Harp Congress in Hong Kong, accompanying choirs on piano and playing keyboard in pit bands. As well as teaching and performing as a soloist, I also enjoy creating music with others and am one-half of harp duo Dwyres alongside my sister. Dwyres are proud to have been a part of Osian Ellis’ 90th birthday celebration concert at Pontio Bangor alongside Bryn Terfel and Hannah Stone which was broadcast on Radio Cymru. I have been giving private harp, theory, aural and piano lessons for the past ten years, taking nearly all my students through the ABRSM syllabus. From January 2018 I spent two years working and teaching at The Purcell School for Young Musicians. I firmly believe that communication with the parents of my younger students regarding the progress of their children is essential, and ensure that I provide regular feedback on their progress. During my time at the Purcell School I taught theory and aural one to one on a weekly basis, giving students an extra boost before their ABRSM exams. I prepared many sixth form students for their grade five theory ensuring that they gained this crucial qualification before entering conservatoire. As part of my continued professional training, I have undertaken a number of activities to enhance my teaching skills. I undertook various PGCE modules at Bangor University and have also participated in workshops and seminars at events such as the Music and Dance Expo, all of which have helped me hone my skills as a teacher and ensure my knowledge of effective teaching practices and exam boards is up to date. Music Qualifications & Achievements: In 2017 I graduated with a Masters degree from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama where she studied with international harpist Caryl Thomas and in 2015 graduated with honours from the Royal Northern College of Music where I studied with Eira Lynn Jones and held the RNCM scholarship. I also hold a DipABRSM diploma and an LRSM diploma in harp performance and have a Grade 8 qualification in piano.

I have a wide range of teaching experience from big groups to individual lessons. I studied musical composition and musical theatre singing at the BRIT School and then at Rose Bruford College where I did an Actor Musician BA Hons degree. I have performed in the West End with Dreamboats and Petticoats when I was the keyboard player. I then became the Musical Director for the show when it toured in the UK. I have also been the MD for various other shows such as Cats (Theatre Royal Windsor) and Oklahoma! (Hong Kong) I have arranged music for a number of professional singers and bands and recently, I spent six months teaching singing for the Centrestage Academy in Hong Kong. I am involved with a number of different bands playing a wide range of musical style. A particularly interesting job was as the musical director and conductor for the popular Christmas festival of carols at Emmanuel Church in Croydon. More recently I have been teaching the piano on Zoom, adapting my style to suit the needs of my pupils. Some want to play from memory, some want to work on improvising skills and others want to play in bands. Music Qualifications & Achievements: Dreamboats and Petticoats (West End), Buddy Holly: Musical Director (Theatre Royal Windsor) Save The Last Dance For Me: Assistant MD (UK Tour) Dreamboats and Miniskirts: Assistant MD (UK Tour) Dreamboats And Petticoats: Musical Director (UK Tour) The Wind In The Willows: Assistant MD (Germany Tour) and The Rudi Vaselino’s (Henley Festival) Grade 8 Piano, Grade 5 Theory, Grade 7 Violin Pianist on the album, “Better Get in Line” by Max Runham

An industry professional for nearly ten years, I’ve obtained the experience of working as a live musician, recording artist, composer, producer, and educator. I’ve collaborated and worked with a multitude of artistic projects playing different styles of music all the way from jazz, rock, blues, pop, contemporary singer- songwriter music, to latin and modern jazz fusion music. I’ve performed internationally at venues and festivals in France and New Delhi, the likes of which include The India Habitat Centre, The Oberoi Hotel, and The Piano Man Jazz Club among many others, whilst also actively having played venues the likes of Hyde Park Book Club, Sela Bar, and Northern Guitars in Leeds. A scholarship student at the prestigious Leeds Conservatoire, I graduated with a major in Jazz with the guitar as my principle instrument, as well as a minor in Music Production. I also studied Music Composition, Arranging and Orchestration, Advanced Improvisation, Jazz and Music History, Film Music Composition and Production, and live and studio Recording Techniques as part of my programme. I started my teaching practice a few years ago whilst I was working as a musician. I’ve taught many students as an educator working with music schools and as an instructor running my own practice. I believe music is so much more than what it seems – being able to play an instrument, or being able to hum a tune. Whilst those aspects still remain to be the essentials at its core, I’ve found that learning about this art can be such an enriching, nurturing, and rewarding experience. I believe that it brings a certain level of understanding and command over your expression, and through that, seldom an understanding of your own self. It’s the same knowledge and experience I hope to share with the students. While learning how to play an instrument a tune would remain to be the core inescapable aspects of learning music, you may be surprised how much the art may have to offer you for your life. -> Tailor-made lessons to suit your level, age, and lifestyle, gradually working towards accomplishing objectives in order to achieve your vision and any aspirations you may have revolving around music. -> Courses and subjects include: – Ear Training (recognising chords, scales and notes by listening; learning songs aurally), – Core and Advanced Harmony and Rhythm, – Improvisation and Soloing, – Technical Proficiency, – Music Theory and Fundamentals, – Sight Reading and writing musical notation – Musical Notation Softwares. – Repertoire – Learning through playing various genres including rock, pop, jazz, blues, acoustic/ singer-songwriter music, progressive rock and any other style you’d like to play. – Composition including Arranging and Orchestration, – Music Production and Technology. -> Whether you’d like to learn how to play a tune, perform in your local community, or be a full-time professional musician, a personalised course structure and our combined dedication will make you a more technically proficient musician, an evolved listener, and an even more artistically inclined individual. -> I gladly welcome discussions about music and anything associated with it. I love to share music with people and be introduced to music I may not have heard before. I’ve found that there’s so much we can learn about cultures and the world simply through listening to and sharing music since there is so much to discover as we study any form of art.

Hi, I am a singing and piano teacher.

Whatever your aspirations at the piano, I can show you how to reach them! I specialise in accompanying classical singers and recently graduated from the National Opera Studio in London. As a freelance accompanist I work with organistations such as Opera North and The Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra. I started learning the piano aged 7 after being inspired by the 'magic box' in the corner that my mum played. I went on to study at Oxford and Yale universities and the Royal Northern College of Music and have performed in many exciting venues across the UK including the Brighton Dome, Wigmore Hall, Bridgewater Hall Manchester, Cadogan Hall, Wales Millennium Centre and Symphony Hall Birmingham. I hold associate and licentiate diplomas in piano performance and have taught privately for 14 years as well as in Schools across South London. Although I take a strictly optional approach to exams, I have knowledge of the ABRSM syllabus and my students have received merit and distinction awards in ABRSM exams. I teach my students to understand three key areas of great piano playing: technique, understanding the score and expression. Technically I will introduce you to a Russian tradition of piano playing to develop strong fingertips supported by the wrist and arm for fluency and beauty. From beginner to advanced levels I will teach you how to understand how the 'recipe' in music is put together to you can feel confident that you understand deeply what to play. Throughout everything I will focus on expression, the stories and emotions in the music that make it so thrilling. In a typical lesson you can expect to look at some physical 'workouts' to develop your technique before working on your favourite pieces of music to understand how its put together and how to find expression. My philosophy is to use the lesson to teach how to practice on your own during the week so you can really own what you're doing. I believe in being kind, patient and supportive, giving you the keys to unlock your own musicality. Whatever your age and ability, please feel free to get in touch if you want to take your technique, score reading and expression to a higher level!

My name is Alicia, I am 27 and I have been passionate about music since very little. I used to sing and even compose my own songs when I was a child. It was at the age of 13 that I decided to start taking piano lessons and since then piano has become a passion for me. I also took some guitar, singing and violing lessons. Over the years I realised classical music was my thing. I would say my favourite composers are Bach, Chopin or Debussy but I also enjoy playing other genres such as soundtracks. I have 8 years of teaching experience. I have a positive and fun attitude and I love setting goals for myself and for my students as I think this is the best way to learn. I have taught students at different levels, children and adults, students who were preparing to take piano exams and students who only played piano for fun. My lessons are adjustable depending on the student level and their preferences. You decide what music style you would like to play and even the songs you would like to perform! I would always be willing to suggest any song according to your level and your goals. We can do music theory if you would like or stick with more practical lessons if you prefer so. I offer  30min, 45min and 60min lessons. I normally teach at home but I can also teach online through some platforms like Skype, Zoom or Whatsapp video if that is more convenient for you. Please do not hesitate to contact me so we can discuss this further. I am excited to start this journey with you! Music Qualifications & Achievements: I have achieved recently a Merit on grade 7 Trinity Exam and I am currently working to get my grade 8. I have been taking lessons from piano teachers all these years where I learnt about music theory, exercises like scales and arpeggios and performing different musical styles.