Coniston Music Tutors and Coniston Music Tuition

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.

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Personal Description:
I am a kind person with a passion for music. I have many interests such as playing in bands, writing my own music, and music technology.

Teaching Experience:
I have experience of teaching all age groups from adults to young primary school children. I took a teaching module as part of my undergraduate music degree at trinity college of music. I am familiar with teaching one-to-one and groups.

Tutoring Approach:
I find everyone's brain absorbs information differently so I find it best to incorporate visual and aural exercises. I like to tailor what I teach to each individual for their own strengths and weaknesses to improve.

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Personal Description:
My interest in music began at primary school. I took instrumental lessons in flute and vocal tuition at the early age of 7 and piano aged 10. After quickly becoming involved in choirs, orchestras and solo performances I managed to achieve two music scholarships into two Independent schools.

Currently aged 21, I am a recent Music graduate from Bath Spa University. My studies included Opera, Singing, Composition, Performance, Musicology and Community Music. I have covered an extensive variety of repertoire, on all instruments, and performed on a number of occasions. Performances have taken place at St. Peters Basilica, The Pantheon, St. Peters Square, Bath Abbey, Wells Cathedral, Corsham Court, St Michaels Without, Worcester Cathedral, Bath Assembly Rooms and low key events such as termly school concerts and voluntary performances to the elderly.

Alongside teaching, I am interested in providing music-making workshops to local schools. I am also in discussion with the Worcestershire communities, to provide singing sessions for the elderly. Singing provides great enjoyment to many people, and working with community choirs is another factor of teaching I am interested in, as choral music is another great passion of mine. I enjoy composing new music and was honoured with having a recent Christmas composition performed in Bath Abbey's carol service.

Teaching Experience:
Alongside my studies, I have taught mainly piano to a handful of students. I enjoy teaching and consequently on the lookout for any new pupils of all abilities, who are seeking tuition.

Tutoring Approach:
I am passionate about teaching, and believe it's important that all lessons are fun and enjoyable for any pupil. Lesson's include a variety of activities in order to aid different learning styles, from listening to cd's, learning basic music theory and using colour to brighten up scores. For young beginners, I think that it is important to keep in touch with parents, so write in a notepad on a weekly basis about what practice is required for improvement.

I am CRB checked and can offer lessons during the daytime, evening or weekends. I am happy to travel to local areas of Redditch. For any further information, please do not hesitate to get in contact.

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Personal Description:
I am a Chinese Student from University of Leicester. My major is Financial and Economic, but I have been learned Guzheng -Traditional Chinese Instrument 10 years and obtain the certification of 10 levels. Guzheng is a plucked, half-tube zither with movable bridges and 21 strings, and has a large resonant cavity made from wutong wood. The performer is able to differentiate between stronger melodic lines and softer accompaniment patterns by using finger plectra on the fingers of her right hand. This can also be used to give effective dynamic contrasts.

Teaching Experience:
Since I obtained some certification in the filed, and taken part in the International Idol for the first prize.
Since I have taught the Guzheng class in half years in China.

Tutoring Approach:
The students need come to my house, i will be teaching face to face.
i will teach the fingering and simple music to practice.

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Personal Description:
I'm a vivid, enthusiastic English and Turkish languages teacher and musician. Languages and teaching are my passions along with my qualifications, so my students have always been content with our interactive lessons.

Having completed my undergraduate degree at Bogazici University, English Language and Literature Department, I had my MA degree at Royal Holloway, University of London, Department of English.

Teaching Experience:
Teaching English and Turkish languages to various levels of students and various age groups have always been my primary occupation.

I'm a qualified English teacher with CertTESOL Level 5 Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages- TRINITY COLLEGE LONDON. + Cambridge DELTA Qualified.
I teach English to students from the beginner level to advance, special qualification English Exams such as FCE, IETLS, First Certificate as well as to native speaker, primary and secondary school students for Key stages 1-4, GCSE, A Level and AS Level.
Furthermore, I'm a Turkish native speaker entitled with a bilingual linguist. The same teaching areas, beginner to advance, GCSE, A Level and AS Level, for students who wants to improve their Turkish.

Tutoring Approach:
My methods are based on inductive presentations, more students talking time than teachers talking time and loads of interactive activities which I'm taught during my teaching experience and most importantly during trainee education.

It is never boring and never passive for either the student or the teacher.

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Personal Description:
I am a self-employed music teacher who has been working in numerous schools across north-east England for over 10 years. Currently, I work alongside two music companies delivering music workshops in primary and secondary schools, and as of the 2023-2024 school calendar I deliver lessons to 10 schools on a weekly basis.

My main passion is delivering instrumental tuition on a number of instruments which include; electric guitar, acoustic guitar, keyboard, piano, ukulele, and music theory. Outside of the school day I have a wealth of private students whom I visit on a weekly basis to deliver hourly or half-hourly lessons. The majority of these students are between the ages of 5-18 however I do have a number of adult students who I personally love to see get involved in music. Age should never be a deterrent to learning an instrument.

Teaching Experience:
15 years as a private music tutor (Piano, guitar, music theory, and ukulele)
13 years as an ensemble leader The School of Rock & Pop in 5 centres
7 years as a peripatetic teacher for Musicworks in 10 schools per week

Tutoring Approach:
Teaching should always be fun and engaging. I cater each lesson to the interests of the student and teach the key elements of music through songs and practical exercises aimed at the music they enjoy.

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Personal Description:
I have a BSc and an MSc in science and a PhD in engineering and have a theoretical and practical knowledge of maths and science. As well as that I have a lot of experience in industry and working around the world. I follow my family tradition in tutoring maths and science in my spare time, helping students, in particular those needing extra help and confidence in their studies. My husband and I have two children aged 17 and 13, we have a cat named Peter and have lived near Hereford for over 12 years. I volunteer at Marden Primary Academy as a classroom assistant and thoroughly enjoy helping out.

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring maths, physics, biology, piano and theory of music for 2.5 years and have done home-schooling.

Tutoring Approach:
A patient approach, finding where a student is and then leading them on to a secure standard, with a feeling that it wasn't so difficult after all. Visual learning techniques are employed where possible in addition to learning by muscle memory, coordinating with any school work and homework so that there is no confusion with approach. I really enjoy tutoring and have fun which I think enables the students to ask questions which perhaps they were less able to do in a classroom environment.

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Personal Description:
I have a Bachelor degree in Music. I finished university 2 years ago (The Sage Gateshead). My majors were music production, composition and vocal.
My journey with music started when I was 7 years old. I was in a music school for almost 10 years, learning piano, vocal, music theory, harmony and having choir classes. The same age I started singing and playing piano at my local church.

Teaching Experience:
Teaching children from age 6 to 14 for almost three years. I gave group and private classes teaching not only English, piano and vocal but also music theory and harmony.

The last year I was working in a language School teaching english and in a kindergarden teaching english and Music.

Tutoring Approach:
Private, online classes.
I always prepare the classes depending on your level and your needs.

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Personal Description:
I am an English native speaker and I have a degree in French and English, a Masters degree and a PhD. I have taught in primary and secondary schools and I am now a university professor specializing in teaching the French language, literature and culture.

I offer in-person or online 1-1 tuition in French and English for primary and secondary, including GCSE and A level for AQA and Edexcel.

I also offer tutoring for learners of English as a second language, native speakers who need additional support for school, and adult learners.

I offer primary Maths tuition to support children to be confident in their Maths skills and find enjoyment in the subject.

I am also a competent musician with Grade 8 in three instruments and have experience of teaching children and adults to read music and play the violin, recorders and oboe.

"Charlotte has been a fantastic tutor for our son. He has gained a lot of confidence, consolidating his knowledge and understanding. Charlotte has helped him moving from someone who hasn't particularly enjoyed French and had grade 6-7 in that subject to someone who eventually achieved a grade 9 (dropping only 11 points out of 280) in his French GCSE and became really enthusiastic in learning the language. We fully recommend Charlotte and will always value her contribution".

"Thank you for being such an inspiring English tutor and keeping me focused and on task for my GCSE. I always felt I could ask if I didn't understand and your explanations and examples were brilliant!".

Teaching Experience:
I have been a language tutor for 20 years and I have experience of teaching French and English to people of all ages and abilities.

I have taught in schools, tutored primary and secondary English and French for GCSE and A level, teach French at university level, and have taught adult learners at all levels for different purposes.

I also have experience of tutoring primary Maths, and music at all levels.

I tailor materials to each student's individual needs and these are all included.

References can be provided from current and past students.

Tutoring Approach:
I am friendly, patient and encouraging. I tailor my tuition to the needs of each individual student and provide regular progress updates.

I teach from my home in Forton, Lancashire or I may be able to travel to you.

I am also available to teach online on Zoom or Teams.

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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:
I am a highly experienced multi-instrumentalist, composer, and arranger. I have performed in a number of ensembles, playing a wide variety of music, including classical, pop, jazz, folk, and Southern African music. I have composed and arranged over 2000 pieces, mostly for educational ensembles. I have a BA honours degree in Performing Arts (majoring in music) and a PGCE Music teaching qualification.

Teaching Experience:
I have been a classroom music teacher for over 25 years - 23 of them as a highly successful head of department at Bradfield Secondary School in Sheffield. I have taught GCSE and A Level music, and my students have consistently achieved well above the national average. I have also organised a large number of concerts, shows, and festivals. I was Classic FM's inaugural Music Teacher of the Year in 1999.

Tutoring Approach:
I have an inclusive approach to music education, encouraging all students, regardless of ability, to fulfil their potential. I consider it vital that students enjoy making music and I always make sure that their learning is tailored to their musical interests and educational needs. In terms of instrumental lessons I am happy for students to progress through graded exams but I am equally happy to design a progressive route that avoids the potential stress of formal assessment.
With regards to GCSE & A Level tutoring, I am offering personal tutoring in the following areas:
- Listening & Appraising: I have developed a huge volume of resources to help students with listening and appraising exam questions
- Composing: I can offer advice in how to approach specific composition briefs and I have a variety of resources designed to enable students to compose effectively using specific structures, styles, and methods. I can offer advice regarding compositions that students have already started, pointing out areas of concern and offering possible solutions, although the nature of my assistance is strictly governed by the teacher guidelines provided by the various exam boards.
- Set Works: I can offer tutoring in analysis and provide help with practice analysis exam questions.
- Performing: I can advise on choices of pieces and help with preparation, especially if the student does not receive private instrumental/singing tuition.
My GCSE & A Level music tuition covers all the recognised exam boards.

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Personal Description:
Degree in Physics.
MSc in AI.
I have worked in Digital Media - a cross between IT and Publishing for 20 years so have a lot of Commercial work experience which enbables me to teach from a much broader perspective..
I am also a Classical Singer.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching privately for the last four years, mainly Maths GCSE but also A Level and Physics GCSE / A Level, and have helped a number of students obtain the grades they required.
I have experience of teaching OCR, AQA or Edexcel syllabuses.

Tutoring Approach:
I'm exam focussed, as most pupils have been taught the syllabus but need help applying that knowledge to answer exam questions.
I initially work through an Exam paper or two with the student to identify any topics that require more in depth tuition. I will then focus on that topic for a lesson making sure the pupil understands the basics then build their confidence up applying that knowledge to answering questions, easy ones initially then building up to the required grade.

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Personal Description:
I am an honours graduate in Music from Oxford University. I also studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama before university and at Cambridge University as a postgraduate. I can give lessons in music reading and theory and in the guitar (twenty years playing experience). I am DBS checked.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught music both privately and at university level for several years.

Tutoring Approach:
I am interested in helping students towards a really thorough understanding of the topic they are studying, including the fundamental aspects that are often skipped over. In my opinion, subjects are often taught with a view to results or getting the right answer, but without really understanding why it is the right answer.

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Personal Description:
I'm a professional guitar tutor. I have BA degree of Saint-Petersburg University of Culture and Arts - jazz guitar. I'm awardee of International Blues festival Noc Bluesowa, 2 International Festival in Crimea 2007

Teaching Experience:
16 years of tutoring
7 years of seniority in kid music school

Tutoring Approach:
Individual methods for every person according to abilities

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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:
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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Personal Description:
I am a self-taught guitarist of over 20 years and am technically proficient to an advanced level, there are very few guitar techniques that I'm unfamiliar with and I am continually learning more. I've performed in a variety of venues/situations, whether as a solo performer, in a band or as part of the accompaniment for musicals, each of which require different approaches and disciplines. I've also done plenty of recorded performances which also requires a host of different skills.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching guitar for over 10 years on an ad hoc basis with private students. I also currently work at Coleg Y Cymoedd, teaching live performance and music rehearsal skills for the last 2 years. I have helped students of all ages over the years go from complete beginners to accomplished players, as well as taking intermediate players and help them to learn more advanced techniques.

Tutoring Approach:
My teaching method involves the same method by which I teach myself - focused practice and repetition. A lot of people try to run before they can walk, spending a couple of days learning chords then trying to play complicated lead parts. What you will work on with me, is having a solid foundation on which to build. We will work together to make sure that when you learn techniques, you learn them the right way first time. We'll do things slowly and smoothly, because slow and smooth equals fast in the long run.
Fundamentally though, we will go at your pace. Everyone learns different skills at different speeds, so there is no pressure to learn anything in a particular time frame, the key is for there to be progress little by little. Equally we will tailor lessons to your wants/needs as much as possible and so you're learning the type of guitar playing that most appeals to you.
A lot of tutors take an approach of getting you to go through guitar grades and whilst that is something we can look into if it appeals to you, I personally have never found grades to be worth anything and certainly not an accurate measurement of someone's ability/talent, so with that in mind, going through grades is not something I will be pushing you to do.
I advise for the first lesson (which is free) to be 1 hour so we can get to know each other and put together a bit of a plan for you. After that I recommend lessons be 30 minutes per lesson per week, as the main goal of lessons is for you to show me what you've practiced in the previous week and for me to then advise you on what can be improved etc., or if it's time for you to start working on something else. In my experience 30 minutes is more than sufficient to achieve this but if you feel you'd like more tuition then of course we can explore that.

Please note the rate shown is an hourly rate. 30 minute lessons will be £15 in person or £12.50 online.

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