Simon Wilkins

About
I’m an experienced and enthusiastic teacher of cello and piano at all levels from very beginner to Grade 8 and beyond. I graduated from Royal Holloway, University of London with both Batchelor’s and Master’s degrees in music and have been teaching ever since, alongside orchestral conducting, performing and even composing music for ensembles. I also have seven years’ experience working in schools for my local music service and my students’ ages range from infants to senior citizens who have discovered the pleasure of picking up an instrument! I don’t just include traditional classical styles but also place equal emphasis on jazz, folk, film and pop music, improvision, composition, and general creativity through music – I can even make the dreaded music theory fun and easy! Above all, I have a strong belief in using learning an instrument as a way of creating and developing self-esteem and enjoyment. Lessons are relaxed and positive and my students feel engaged and encouraged.

Some practical stuff: I prefer to teach in person but having gained considerable experience teaching online lessons during, ahem, ‘recent events’, I am happy to arrange these for students who live further away. I will usually offer a small discount for these. For piano students I strongly prefer to teach at the student’s residence so they are using their own instrument. I can advise on purchasing/hiring instruments for beginners too.