About Me

Hi there and welcome to my piano website!

I’m a London-based teacher, freelance composer and broadcaster with 25 years experience tutoring pupils from beginner through to post grade 8.

I’ve been playing piano since the age of 8, obtaining my degrees in music from Kings College London and Trinity College of Music whilst receiving piano tuition at the Royal Academy of Music. I specialise in both Classical and Jazz piano whilst also offering tutoring in music theory, composition, arrangement and aural training.

I have worked both in-school and privately and from one-to-one up to whole class groups. I believe my experience enables me to offer specialised yet highly flexible tuition across a range of styles. I am passionate that students attain their goals and find playing to be a fun and rewarding experience!

FAQs

Which subjects do you teach?
I specialise in classical and jazz piano whilst also teaching rock and pop styles. I also teach music theory, arranging and composition alongside general musicianship and aural training. I believe in an individualised approach to teaching based on each student’s interests and abilities.

What are your qualifications?
I have a First Class Honours degree from Kings College London, awarded in 2002. I subsequently obtained a Masters Degree from Trinity College of Music, London in 2004.

What kind of students do you teach?
I teach a wide range of students, some of whom are pursuing classical piano whilst others are improvising in jazz or rock styles or playing rock and pop songs. I am always happy for pupils to try the music they wish to be able to play, and can always make suggestions along these lines.

Which qualifications do you prepare your students for?
Where pupils or parents wish to pursue exams I can offer coaching for ABRSM Classical (Practical and Performance Grades) and Jazz, Trinity Guildhall and RockSchool exam boards. I also offer tutoring for ABRSM and Trinity Theory of Music exams up to Grade 8.

Which ages and levels do you teach?
All ages are welcome, though I recommend a minimum age of 5.

How long and how often are lessons?
For children I usually recommend a weekly lesson of 30 minutes. For adults I am happy to offer lessons for 30, 45 or 60 minutes on a weekly or fortnightly basis.

What kind of instrument will I need?
I recommend either an acoustic (upright/grand) or digital piano as essential for supporting development of playing and technique.

What piano do you teach on?
I teach on a Yamaha U1 in excellent condition. Lessons take place in a dedicated piano tutoring room in my house.

How much do you charge?
My rates are currently £40 per hour and £20 per half hour. Other lesson lengths are also possible.

How does payment work?
I accept payment via online transfer either weekly or on a half-termly basis.

Where do you teach?
I teach from my home in Stoke Newington, N16 – I’m just up from Church Street and Stoke Newington station.

When are you available?
I currently teach Mondays-Thursdays from 12pm through to around 9pm.

Do you teach during the school holidays?
Generally I do not teach younger students during the school holidays though lessons can be arranged at these times on request.

Do you offer online tutoring?
Yes, I am happy to offer lessons via the main videoconferencing platforms.

Do you have an up-to-date DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) Certificate?
Yes, most recently renewed in 2022. A copy can be provided upon request.

Do you belong to any professional organisations?
Yes, I am a member of ISM.

Finally, do you have a personal message for students?
Playing piano is an immensely rewarding and enjoyable pastime that repays the work put into it. It is never to late to learn and whilst there is no end to the process it is possible to derive pleasure playing from the very earliest stages!

Testimonials

Ts&Cs

    • Payment can be made via online transfer on either a per-lesson or half termly basis. I usually invoice 3 weeks into the start of each half term.
    • In accordance with union guidelines my cancellation policy is as follows:
    • Cancellations a week or more in advance: no charge
    • Cancellations between a week and the day before the next lesson: 50% charge
    • Cancellations on the day: full lesson charge
    • Where possible I will try to rearrange lessons if there is a problem with a particular week, however I am often fully booked and cannot guarantee to find a feasible alternative slot.
    • I am keen to avoid using written contracts as many private music teachers do and consider arrangements for lessons on a week-by-week basis as a verbal agreement based on goodwill.

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