Laura Chestnutt

As soon as I could walk and talk, I was playing the piano. I was singing, bashing out notes, and experimenting with rhythm, pitch and harmony by the time I was in Reception (Nursery), very much enjoying my time at a local Jo Jingles (music, singing and movement classes for toddlers) class and in the first year of my time at Primary School, I was going to piano lessons. I was soon learning the violin too, then I ‘picked up’ the flute, the guitar, cello, viola, clarinet, and drums throughout the following few years. I found I could play whatever I wanted quite well and I was (and still am) a quick learner.

I had my first student when I was 15. By the time I was 18, by which time I had completed my GCSEs and A-Levels, I had acquired a dozen or so pupils, mostly through word-of-mouth (still the biggest and best advertiser!). I had dipped in and out of teaching as I continued with some higher education and numerous jobs, but it remained an undercurrent, flowing consistently beneath whatever else I was doing or however else I was generating an income.

A friend of mine who I hadn’t seen in a while had set up a music school and a few years later asked me if I would like to join the team as a tutor. I loved my time there and appreciated the freedom of still being self-employed but getting to work with and surrounded by like-minded individuals. I was able to tailor my lessons to my students and use my own approaches and methods, yet be a part of a wonderful team.

From then until now, I have taught in a variety of platforms and places – online via Skype/Zoom/FaceTime, in person, at my home, at students’ homes, in a music school/college of music, in primary/secondary schools, outside in the fresh air. I have taught children as young as 3 and my eldest pupil was 91. I am passionate about it, have always come back to it and I love to adapt, overcome and improve, constantly expanding my own learning, my own education. You can never know everything about anything and therefore you can never run out of fun things to learn.

Music Qualifications & Achievements:

I have a Diploma in Piano and Grade 8 in Violin, Voice and Music Theory.

I have participated in various competitions and performances and have been featured in CDs and recordings both personally in my musical journey and professionally in my music/teaching career.

If you know me, or if you have read my biography above, you’ll know that I pride myself on working with all kinds of people, all ages, all abilities – on working with those who have to face extremely difficult and challenging things in their life, with those who have SEN (special educational needs) and individuals with developmental disabilities such as Autism. I have taught non-verbal children and adults and those with various different physical and/or emotional abilities.

But really, it all just comes down to my love for teaching and my emphasis on the fact that everyone has the ability to learn. Music, and learning a musical instrument, can open up so many doors for people, can improve their lives in countless ways and can aid recovery, development and growth. It can bring people together.

Put simply, it can bring you joy. And it brings me joy to share it with others.