Aberdare Music Tutors and Aberdare Music Tuition

Personal Description:
Friendly and informal, I tailor tutoring to individual needs. I am married with a young family and enjoy the flexibility that tutoring gives me with my business hours. I see tutoring as a valuable resource for the student who can gain great insight in a one to one session

Teaching Experience:
I have been a personal tutor for over 12 years, helping many students with maths and sciences, mostly at GCSE level. In addition I have experience as a Lecturer at The University of Huddersfield and at Wakefield District College. Where I taught computer science and I.T.

Since 2000 I have been looking to focus more on music and to develop this as my specialism. I can assist with Music theory up to around Grade 5 and Piano and Keyboards from beginner to intermediate level.

Tutoring Approach:
Individually tailored to the student. I prefer a sytematic approach, followed up by individual study by the student. I regularly assess student progress to ensure full understanding and encourage background reading for breadth of knowledge.

Subjects

Personal Description:
A Royal Academy of Music graduate, I have taught piano privately for over 20 years. As well as children and adults from the ages of 4 to 84, I have tutored and mentored high profile rock musicians, film composers and producers.

I taught composition in the music technology department at London College of Music (Junior College) for twelve years where I became department head from 2004--2012. I was mentor on the MA course in music production at Leeds College of Music from 2006-2009, and have guest lectured at The Academy of Contemporary Music and West Thames College.

As a composer and producer I have two decades of experience writing for theatre, TV, film and the concert hall. I have written scores for theatre companies including Hampstead Theatre, The National Youth Theatre, EmpathEyes Theatre and Baraka Theatre, and my music has been synced to many television productions and documentaries including BBC Horizon, BBC Natural World, Top Gear, Sky Box Office, Ghost Whisperer and America's Most Wanted. In addition to this I have worked for the music production house 'Soundtree' on various projects most notably as assistant to Peter Raeburn on his score for the 2018 feature film Nancy.

My concert works have been performed at concert platforms including the Huddersfield Festival; The South Bank Centre; De Doelen, Rotterdam and Kunstmuseum, Liechtenstein, with commercial recordings and broadcasts across Europe.

I have written string arrangements for bands and worked as session pianist for several artists including Cathal Smyth (Chas Smash from the ska band, Madness). 

Teaching Experience:
1997 - present: Private tutor (piano, music theory, music technology, composition)
1997 - 2010: London College Of Music (junior college) - composition and music technology teacher.
1999 - West Thames College - guest lecturer
2004 - 2010: London College Of Music (junior college) - music technology department head.
2003 - Academy Of Contemporary Music - guest lecturer
2006 - 2009: Leeds College Of Music - mentor on MA Music Production course.

Tutoring Approach:
Piano (all levels/styles) - I have a 100% pass rate for students entering the ABRSM exams (grades 1-8). Students who do not wish to take the classical route can learn using my method for playing by ear. As well as teaching classical, I specialise in teaching jazz piano and theory.

I also offer tuition in Composition, Orchestration, Theory, Logic, Sibelius.

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Personal Description:
Iain was born in 1986 in Dundee, Scotland into a large musical family, so unsurprisingly making music was all that he wanted to do from an early age. He first began to learn the trumpet in school aged seven, before joining his local brass band Dundee Instrumental on cornet at the age of ten. By the age of twelve, Iain had been promoted to principal cornet, a position he later went on to hold with several of Scotland's top bands, also including the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland. Many solo competitions were won along the way - including the junior section at the British Open Solo Championships at age eleven. Having gained two Trinity College diplomas before the age of eighteen, Iain took the advice of teacher David James and moved south to study music at the University of Salford, where his playing really began to blossom. Since then Iain has held positions as principal cornet with many of the UK's leading brass bands including his current seat with the world renowned Leyland Band. He has enjoyed many successful contest and concert performances, and is fast establishing a reputation as one of the finest cornet soloists of his generation, performing, adjudicating and giving master-classes as far afield as the USA, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Japan. In 2009 Iain was the recipient of a prestigious Dewar Arts award, awarded for performance in trumpet. This award allowed him to complete his postgraduate studies at Salford, graduating with an MA in Music (performance) in 2010. Iain is now a cornet tutor at the University of Salford where he is also undertaking researchinto focal dystonia in musicians, working towards a PhD. Iain recorded and released his first solo CD entitled "Vanguard" in August 2012, a release which has been met with great critical acclaim and has fast proven popular.

Iain is also an experienced guitarist and teacher of electric and acoustic guitar as well as the bass guitar.

Teaching Experience:
Salford University, Sefton Music Service, Love Music Trust, numerous private students, masterclasses and private teaching all over the UK as well as in the Netherlands, Denmark, USA, Japan, to name but a few.

Tutoring Approach:
Specialise in advanced students, performance, performance psychology, embochure related problems, and treatment of focal dystonia as well as other performance related problems.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a friendly and approachable musician, songwriter and singer. I have been involved in music for many years in solo, group and large ensemble capacties. Among many music courses I have attended, my training includes a Diploma in Popular Music Performance at the highly commended Tech Music School in London, and a Fist Class Honours degree in Music Technology with Popular Music Performance.
I have been fully CRB checked to work with children.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching since 2001, initially primary and secondary aged students. This was performance based tutoring at weekend classes including some one to one sessions. I have done this in both Norfolk and London. I have also taught many one to one singing lessons with all ages between 6 and 65. I have since taught classes at college and degree level in various aspects of music, including performance music business history and theory.

Tutoring Approach:
I like to tailor my tutoring to each individual student's needs rather than using set lesson plans. My teaching style is based around enjoying the learning experience and building confidence. I like to engage with my students to the extent where the learning is a bi-product of the session without it feeling like hard work. I have found this to be a very popular technique that keeps students interested in the subject and looking forward to the next class.

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Personal Description:
Professionally qualified (DfES number RP 04/31188).

I am a musician, qualified primary teacher (QTS) with a Master's degree in Education, Pets As Therapy volunteer, founder and facilitator at Meta for learning CIC.

My interests in education are in Open Learning, Outdoor Learning, Animal Assisted interventions, Blended learning and helping learners build international links.


As part of a distance-learning Masters degree in association with FUNIBER and the Universidad de León, I carried out an ethnographic action research project using a democratic approach called Community Language Learning. In this approach there is no syllabus or textbook to follow. It is the learners themselves who determine the content by means of meaningful conversations.
It incorporates translation, transcription and recording techniques.

When I am not working I love volunteering, practising ice skating or track cycling with my daughter and also growing an edible garden !

Teaching Experience:
I was born in Madrid where I trained as a primary teacher and classical musician (cello and chamber music).

I worked in Escuelas de Musica in the outskirts of Madrid which are inclusive socially-minded music schools where I taught cello lessons and support the development of the String Department by assisting during orchestra rehearsals. Both adults and children of all ages are welcome to take lessons.

Shortly after moving to the UK I started a part time job teaching Music to 5-7 yo children at the Rowans Prep school in Wimbledon alongside studying a Mater's and working in Adult education- I carried out a 2-year ethnographic action research project at St Luke's centre in Islinghton.

I then applied to a position in Esadst London and started working for Children's language services teaching at several primary schools in Tower Hamlets. My roles were to deliver the MFL primary curriculum; coordinate the implementation of new initiatives in schools ie use of the European Portfolio for language Learning which was being developed between the Council and universities, provide class teachers with CPD training; undertake tasks such as EAL First Language assessments.

After taking maternative leave I trained to become an online tutor and worked part- time for Own Tutors, Clapham.

In 2019 I founded a learning community Metaforlearning Cic where I run Self-Manage Learning programmes for young people.

In my tutoring work I am reliable, flexible and experienced. I have been working in the UK, Ireland and Spain and have experience in exam preparation for the Spanish internationally recognised DELE junior and DELE for adults; Spanish GCSE, IGCSE, Spanish A-LEVELS with AQA, OCR and EDEXCEL exam boards; and IB ab initio and Language B international qualifications. In the past I have prepared young cellists for 1-8 ABRSM performance grades.

Tutoring Approach:
Students set their own learning goals and I assist them in order to map the neccesary learning to achieve them and also by working at the level that they feel comfortable with at each stage of the process.

With young learners I make use of VR, AR and gamification for enhancing engagement in language learning.

If your enquiry is regarding learning for either improving wellbeing, traveling or living in a Spanish speaking country then we will be looking at different learning objetives and skills than for example an enquiry regarding accessing an university of your choice.

I have wide experience supporting international students in understanding and preparing to access Universities in the UK.

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Personal Description:
I am a professional piano player with a degree in Music and Music Technology from Keele University. My work includes session playing, touring theatre shows, accompanying and teaching piano, keyboard or music theory lessons.

Teaching Experience:
I have previously worked as a piano/keyboard/music theory for Telford Music School (Jan 2010 - June 2011), teaching all ages and abilities, and I have spent the summers of 2011 and 2012 as the Theatre Assistant/Musical Director for Chateaugay Summer Camp in America. I currently offer private tutoring at pupils homes to fit in with my other professional work.

Tutoring Approach:
Every student is different and requires a different approach. I try hard to adapt for each pupil but my main concern is that they enjoy what they are playing/learning. I like to let people discover their own musical tastes and preferences while still exploring and understanding a whole range of music.

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Personal Description:
I am a graduate of the Newcastle University BMus (Hons) Folk and Traditional Music where I specialised in Scottish traditional fiddle music. I am both an experienced teacher and performer, having performed at various festivals throughout the country. I am comfortable playing in a variety of musical styles and I am happy to tailor lessons to the interests of each individual pupil.

Teaching Experience:
During the past five years I have taught a range of age groups from young school pupils to adults in both one to one lessons and group settings. I have also had a great deal of experience teaching beginners, most recently the Bellingham Middle School Ceilidh Band. During my later years of school I assisted with a young children's string orchestra and also an intermediate traditional music group. As part of my degree I have studied different techniques of teaching traditional music within the community.

Tutoring Approach:
The initial lesson provides an opportunity for both myself and the pupil to discuss any past musical experiences and also understand what they wish to gain from future lessons. I plan my lessons around the interests of the pupil which in return allows them to get the most out of their lessons. Whilst I strongly believe that there are benefits to reading notation, I also teach by ear and am happy to focus on this if a pupil so wishes. I encourage my pupils to bring along any music they wish to learn in addition to their set pieces.

I offer hour long lessons, suggesting a starting point of half an hour for beginners. Groups lessons are possible.

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Personal Description:
I was born in Hamburg, Germany, am 28 years old and moved to Cardiff in 2013 to study towards a Master of Music degree at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. I completed a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Aberdeen in 2013 and graduated with 1st Class Honours.

Since 2015, I have been running the International Music School Cardiff as Director, where private music tuition in all instruments of the highest quality is offered to children and adults alike.

I am an active performer, accompanist and composer, which I believe is very important in order to be able to speak from experience when teaching your instrument.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching piano and music theory for the past ten years, both privately and at school and university. I have worked with children, university students as well as adults, ranging from early beginners to grade 8 standard and beyond.

I have prepared my students for school exams, graded exams, concerts and competitions and all of them passed and had successful performances.

Tutoring Approach:
I use various teaching resources which I have both collected and created myself to cover all areas of piano playing, i.e. sight-reading, theory, scales, technical exercises, duo and ensemble playing. I find it more important (especially for a young person) to develop a natural relationship with the instrument and to learn to love the sound of it by making it and listening to it rather than to merely focus on achieving grades as quickly as possible.

I believe that music should be a social activity. This is why I encourage all of my students to perform in front of each other at regular informal concerts as well as festivals and competitions, if the student feels ready.

Working with students and passing on my knowledge and skills is the most rewarding experience and based on the good relationship I have with all my students and their families as well as my students' successes in performances and competitions I am confident to say that they are having an enjoyable and rewarding time under my tuition.

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Personal Description:
Mireia is a bass player based in London since 2013, she graduated as a bass player at Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya (Barcelona, Spain) on 2010 and she moved to Netherlands.

Since 2002 she's been working as a music tutor till nowadays and she performed with several bands in Spain, Netherlands and UK.

Throughout her career Mireia worked as a bass player in a dance orchestra, musical theater, circus company and she played with jazz, funk pop and world music bands.

She studied with bass players as Jordi Ruiz, Ignasi Zamora, Gary Willis, Josep Pérez Cucurella; the piano player Ignasi Terraza and did a mentoring program with drummer Lucas van Merwijk.

Teaching Experience:
I have more than 8 years of experience as a music teacher (all ages) in private music schools from Spain (Barcelona), I've worked with early years kids (from 3 to 5 years old) ,I've worked as a self-employed music tutor in Netherlands during 2 years and I'm working as music teacher at Norwood Green Junior School and private music tutor .

Tutoring Approach:
I like to adapt the lessons to student needs in order to improve their level and help them to enjoy their learning process. I teach bass guitar for beginners, intermediate and advanced level, and guitar for beginners. I also offer music theory lessons for everyone who has interest to understand the music language, learn to read scores or create its own songs.

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Personal Description:
Enthusiastic Music Tutor (ABRSM friendly)

My music studies began at the age of 9 with classical piano.
Since 1990 I began studying and playing as a keyboards and bass player in many different music's styles bands.

During my music studies I also had the chance to attend several masterclasses in improvisation, music harmony and theory with important musicians as: George Garzone, Bob Brookmeyer, Ayn Inserto, Scott Henderson, Gary Willis, John Stowell, Bob Mintzer, Dave Holland, Kurt Rosenwinkel and more.

Teaching Experience:
Since 1997 I'm teaching in several schools and as a private tutor piano, keyboards, guitar and drums for beginners. Bass guitar and Music Theory for all levels.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tutoring is based on analyzing and listening with deep attention at
students' needs and requests, being patient while motivating with positive and neutral critic.

I also responsibly acquire an appropriate teaching material and resources relating to individual students' needs ensuring an up-to-date knowledge and a critical awareness about
their level.

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Personal Description:
I have been teaching drum and percussion semi-professionally since 2010. Outside of teaching, I perform semi-professionally in variety of genres including Pop, Rock, RnB, Jazz, Fusion, and Gospel, in large venues across Surrey and London. I have extensive experience of working alongside top industry professionals, and have undertaken studio, session and live television work.

I also hold a Degree in Professional Music Performance for the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford.

Teaching Experience:
I am the founder of a music school specialising in high quality, affordable drum lessons for all ages and skill levels. We are independently owned and operated by a staff of qualified & experienced professional musician-educators.

Tutoring Approach:
I am professional and friendly, helping you reach your musical goals, and to inspire you to reach for new goals that you may never have thought possible.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a full-time tutor of Russian, a native Russian speaker and have a Master's degree in Russian language and literature.
I also teach piano Levels 1-8 and music theory Levels 1-5

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching Russian as a foreign and native language in London since 2010. This includes teaching absolute beginners, coaching for GCSE and A-level examinations and consulting school teachers of Russian and students of Russian at the degree level.
I have a Music College diploma as a teacher of piano and have been teaching Level 1-8 piano in London since 2012, mainly preparing pupils for examinations with ABRSM.

Tutoring Approach:
"Result" is my motto. I take pride in my pupils' high achievements that have never been below grade A since 2010. I am a demanding teacher who will never leave a pupil without homework. However, those young and grown-up people I teach are motivated by my passion for the Russian language and literature. My profound knowledge of linguistics and Russian history simulates their curiosity.

I have a relaxed fun personality, I like to laugh and use my sense of humour to make a lesson run as a conversation when I teach both, an adult and a child. This is because my subjects are also a part of my world.

My approach to teaching is also result-oriented. I aim to enable my pupils to progress independently even at the beginner level. My original method of teaching demonstrates how similar the English and Russian languages are. This technique combined with the individualised approach gives a lot of confidence to learners and has been proving efficient: absolute beginners achieve A and A* grades at GCSE Russian in only one year on a reoccurring basis.

As a piano teacher, I am not afraid to give and take the challenge of coaching my pupils at a higher level should their potential exceed their current grade. I organise annual concerts to enhance the students' performance confidence.

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Personal Description:
Fluent French, English.
Drum, singing, music and French teacher based near Kiltarlity, Inverness in the Highlands.
I have lived for 2 years in France and Belgium.

I teach beginner to advanced level students and all grades from 1-8 in Drums, Vocals and Music Theory and beginner to intermediate levels in bass guitar and up to GCSE level in French.

I am happy to travel to students and teach on their own kit or in a setup and enviroment they are familiar with -
Areas I cover are around Inverness, Beauly and Dingwall.

All ages and levels welcome. I can also offer advice on recording, gigging, music equipment and music theory.
Experienced working to clicks/sequencing/recording.
Tracks can be heard on


Drums: Currently play Pearl/Meinl Soundcaster Fusion/Paiste Alpha Cymbals/Roland TD-30

CRB/DBS Enhanced Checked and Update Service.

**Last updated 29 Aug 2018**

Teaching Experience:
10 years teaching experience in private tutoring. During that time I have had student progress from just starting to Grade 8 in 2 years.

Tutoring Approach:
Different people learn best in different ways - either by showing, doing or letting them do more self-study and allowing longer to absorb new information with tasks and goals - I adapt my teaching to how students learn best.

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Personal Description:
A former head of music at a comprehensive school, now teaching privately. DBS checked.

Teaching Experience:
Teaching in schools since 2002 and privately since 2008, I have lots of experience teaching GCSE Music.

Tutoring Approach:
1-1 tuition in a friendly and relaxed environment. Resources will be provided to enhance your learning. Lessons are from our purpose built private studio on the the rear of our home.

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Personal Description:
Singer, songwriter and professional vocal coach. I've been singing and teaching professionally for 7 years now. All the lessons are done in a professional studio free of charge with a variety of equipment.

Teaching Experience:
I finished one of the most prestigious private schools for vocal technique in Eastern Europe and I want to share my learnings with new upcoming singers. In my years of training I've covered a lot of styles and learned how to approach all of them in a effective and healthy way.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach in life is to know your craft close to perfection and to never give up on your goals. I'm trained in Popular Music Performance but I can help with your Classical technique also. I will teach you how to handle sets of 45 min of singing up to 2-3 hours without hurting your vocal chords.

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Personal Description:
I'm an experienced tutor currently working as a Lecturer and Supervisor at the University of Cambridge. Besides this I have several years' school-teaching experience as well as with individual tutees.

I studied at the University of Cambridge and at the Royal Academy of Music throughout my teenage years.

In addition to my work In Cambridge I hold a Deputy Professorship at the Junior Department of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. My private teaching practice comprises students of all ages and complements my professional activities as conductor, bassoonist, organist, and arts administrator.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching privately since 2006, and also have several years' experience of school-teaching (secondary). I am experienced in giving workshops (singing, conducting, performance technique, chamber music etc.). I also lecture for the Music Faculty at the University of Cambridge as well as supervising undergraduates and graduates for papers in Harmony & Counterpoint, Music & Science, Psychology, and practical skills (including jazz improvisation).

I hold a deputy professorship at the Junior Department of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and also tutor for the Royal College of Organists; I am hugely experienced in preparing students for interviews and auditions, as well as in examination preparation and revision/study skills and techniques.

Tutoring Approach:
I always strive to inspire my tutees with the confidence to push themselves to achieve their full potential, while being aware that outside the lessons they also have other commitments. I am experienced in teaching students with learning difficulties and am happy to be flexible in my teaching style depending on the needs of the individual student.

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Personal Description:
Experienced tutor, Maths with Statistics MSci graduate - King's College, University of London.

I completed my GCSEs, AS and A Levels at the UK's 'Number 1 Ranking' Grammar School - Queen Elizabeth's School for Boys.

I got the highest grades possible for Maths (grade 9 at GCSE and A* at A Level)
Achieved A* at A Level Further Mathematics.
Achieved 9 in Music at GCSE Level. Grade 8 in clarinet, saxophone and piano, and ARSM diploma in clarinet.

Teaching Experience:
Queen Elizabeth's School:

GCSEs - 7 x 9s, 4 x 8s
AS - 4 x A
A2 - 2 x A*, 1 x A (Maths, Further Maths, Physics)

King's College, University of London:
Maths with Statistics MSci graduate

Private music tuition:
Student results: Distinctions x 5, Merit x 3, Pass x 0, Fail x 0.

Tutoring Approach:
In my experience, I have learned that the majority of tutors just 'turn-up-and-teach' without actually preparing. 'Understanding' is the most important thing when it comes to learning, not 'regurgitating information'. As a tutor, I only get ONE CHANCE to impart 'understanding' in a way that not only clear, but coherent. Not preparing only means the student will only get more confused. But this won't happen with me!!

In my years as a student, I remember my tutors either setting no homework at all, or random questions from some textbook they've just picked out. Pick me as your tutor, and be confident each homework has been uniquely written by myself to complement the lesson that I've taught, which contains routine practice questions, as well as a couple of more challenging ones, designed to encouraging them to 'think' outside the box.

Closer to the exams, I go through years and years of past papers, and pick out the most appropriate previous exam questions - but not too early! It's important my students have developed that deep understanding of the syllabus first. Yes - yet again, my experience has made me realise that too many tutors are using these exam past papers and 'teaching' their students with them, instead of going through the basics first.

Is it a good idea to give a bunch of papers to a student and hope they'll get on with it? Especially when the student isn't ready, perhaps hasn't learned all of the content inside out, and hasn't been walked through a single practice question, let alone an entire paper before? I focus on exam practice, but only at the right time.

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Personal Description:
I have over 20 years of teaching experience and have achieved a fellowship from the Victoria College of music in London for classical guitar playing and is a graduate Open university with a BA(Hons) first in humanities with music and history. Lessons are very supportive, friendly and interactive, using teaching files and mp3 examples to hear and perform the music. I aim to extend my lifelong passion and enthusiasm for music to everyone I teach. My instruments include guitar, ukulele, mandolin, banjo and bass guitar

Teaching Experience:
∙ Diploma in Classical Guitar Playing (AVCM) - Victoria College of Music
∙ BA (Hons) Humanities with Music - Open University
∙ Grades 5-8 (distinction) in classical guitar - Victoria College of Music
∙ Grade 3 (merit) grade 4-5 (distinction) - music theory Victoria College of Music
∙ Over 15 years of teaching experience on a wide range of instruments

Tutoring Approach:
My approach is to provide a fun, friendly and relaxed environment for teaching that will both support and motivate the student in their musical journey. To achieve this utilise a wide range of teaching materials and multimedia outlets, such as apps, CDs, books, etc to maximise the learning potential of the student. This also includes MP3's provided after the lesson to aid practice and reinforce timing, rhythm and phrasing. I have a 100% pass rate for pupils taking practical and music theory exams.

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