My musical background is long and varied, beginning with piano tuition from the age of 6 where I realised a real love of the sound of the piano and its possibilities. In my teen years I developed a passion for the music of Chopin and would spend hours at the piano learning and memorising repertoire.
I also played the viola and this gave me a very different angle on musical learning, with the opportunities which came with playing in orchestras and with other people. Having trained in nursing, but realising I couldn’t leave the piano alone! I went to study piano with Frank Wibaut at the Royal Academy of Music in London in my twenties, with viola as a second study.
This was an amazing experience, where over 3 years I was helped to develop both my playing and general musicianship. It was at the RAM that I developed an interest in accompaniment, especially with singers, and after graduating I studied accompanying and vocal coaching at the National Opera Studio in London and worked for a while as a repetiteur.
It as around this period of working with singers that I realised where my heart really lies as I came to understand that it was not the operatic repertoire that fired me up, but rather the process of supporting and nurturing the singer to be the very best they could in their expression, skill and performance.
Since then I have worked with many singers and instrumentalists, taught
piano students from beginner to advanced and regularly teach music theory
and aural training to all instrumentalists and singers in preparation for exams.
For many years I worked as an examiner for the Associated Board and have
long experience of teaching piano in schools with pupils ranging from 8 – 18
years, with many successes in Grade examinations and the practical elements
of the national school exam curriculum.
Another facet of my musical life is playing the lever harp. I have sung in
reflective church worship and in pastoral settings for many years and the harp
is a perfect – and mobile! – accompanying instrument. I have been involved in
singing to groups of elderly people and have also worked for “Music in
Hospitals”, a UK–wide organisation playing concerts with a singer or another
instrumentalist to people in hospital wards and in hospices. Seeing and
hearing a harp “live” never fails to cheer! and this has been a very positive
aspect of my life and work.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Qualifications:
Music at A level
GRSM (Honours) from Royal Academy of Music
LRAM Piano teaching diploma
ABRSM examiner