Gemma Stilwell

Gemma is an experienced and busy instrumental teacher and examiner based in Surrey. With the experience of over 19 years teaching in 30+ schools behind her, she is highly regarded within her sector and feels just at home teaching adult 1-2-1 lessons, as a class of primary school children. Her philosophy revolves around the importance of teaching the fundamentals of ‘music’ through the chosen instrument, giving the student the creative ‘tools’ to be self-sufficient and expressive.

Gemma has taught thousands of students to date, entering 350+ students into exams with 100% pass rate at merit or above. Gemma has high expectations of herself and all her students, and is pro-active within their education. Alongside teaching students their favourite songs, she promotes all styles of music and techniques to give students a well rounded music education to build upon. For example, a guitar student will learn how to:

– Play a variety of styles of music from Rock and Pop to Classical and Jazz.
– Master different techniques such as finger picking, plectrum picking, strumming styles and rest strokes.
-Have a competent knowledge of reading notation and tab alongside chord and scale theory to enable creativity in improvising and song writing.

Alongside numerous music qualifications including four ‘grade 8’ certificates, Gemma holds a BA (Hons) in Music from the University of Southampton with first class performing marks and a First Class Masters degree in ‘The Teaching Musician’ from the prestigious Trinity Laban Conservatoire. This course focussed on the pedagogy, learning theories and current ‘best practices’ within the sector, and is the only course of its kind in the UK. Gemma has been and RSL examiner since 2017, regularly examining candidates in the UK and internationally.

Alongside teaching, Gemma performs with acoustic duo ‘Whitney & Stilwell’ and Southampton Grad Band.

Outside of music, Gemma is a keen traveller and cyclist, embarking on at least one big adventure each year and slowly making her way around the world!

Qualifications:

MA ‘The Teaching Musician’ Trinity Laban Conservatoire – Distinction, BA (hons) Music – The University of Southampton – 2:1, Grade 8 Drums – Distinction, Grade 8 Acoustic Guitar – Distinction, Grade 8 in both ‘popular’ and ‘classical’ music theory