Teacher Info

It’s almost fifty years now since I first sat down at a piano, aged six. I come from a musical background. My grandfather was an organist and choirmaster in Yorkshire who taught Roy Castle – though, admittedly, it was the piano and not the trumpet – and my father ran a successful business in the 1970s selling musical instruments.

There was never any doubt that music was going to play an important role in my life. In fact, I cannot remember a time when I was unable to read it. I plodded through my Grades 1-3 between 1977 and 1980, but then a battle with a Bach Two-Part Invention that I was supposed to master for Grade 4 beat me and, having failed to get my Grade 5 before I turned 14, I was refused the chance to do O Level Music or start having organ lessons. Instead, I went on to write and perform musical theatre and contemporary worship, teaching a few pupils who wanted to get their first few grades to earn some pocket money.

Since 2000, I have had anything between two and six piano students on my books. Most start with me as beginners and, within a few years, have progressed to about Grade 3 level. I also teach piano lessons to adults and those who have no interest in doing examinations. I have also worked with people who play keyboards in worship bands, as I also do this regularly. Though I am not a qualified music teacher, I am both a qualified teacher (PGCE, 1993) and a talented musician, singer and composer. I would be more than happy to show any beginner who is starting out on their musical journey how to take their first steps.

Music Qualifications & Achievements:

My first degree is in Geography and French (1991), and this was followed by a Postgraduate Teaching Certificate (1993).

Music that I have written, which includes choral works, contemporary worship music, the songs for a pantomime and a musical have been performed in Sussex and Surrey since 1988.

I used to sing with the Eton College Choral Society (1982-1986), in the Parish Church Choirs of St. Mary Magdalene, Broughton in Furness (1985-1986) and St. John’s West Byfleet (1993-1998), where I was also Assistant Organist.

I was part of an acapella singing group that won the First Prize at the Woking Music Festival in 2011.

My most significant achievements as a musician were writing the songs for a stage musical in 2007 and a voluntary for my daughter’s wedding, called ‘A Muggles Melody’ – she is a very keen Harry Potter fan!

Prices:

1/2 hour

£13.25

Location:

I teach my lessons from a teaching space located on Binley Road, Binley, Coventry, CV3 2DP, UK. My full teaching address will be provided upon your first lesson booking.

Contact:

To book your first lesson with me, or to find out more about my music lessons, don’t hesitate to get in touch by emailing me on [email protected].