Information About Amy - Dulwich teacher

Personal Description:

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I am an RCM Scholar supported by a Musicians’ Company Lambert Mentorship, taking lessons with Sarah Burnett, Martin Gatt and Julie Price.

I teach the piano (which I began learning at the age of ten and in which I am of ABRSM Diploma standard) and the bassoon (around which my performance career is centred) to students of a range of ages and abilities, from young children taking their first steps with music to more advanced students. I find teaching particularly rewarding and enjoy being able to share what I have learnt with my students.

As a pianist, I studied with Renna Kellaway MBE and Fenella Howarth-Head. I have both individual and group teaching experience, and work as an accompanist, including with Leon Bosch at the International Anthony Burgess Foundation.

As a soloist, I performed at the 2018 BDRS day in Hampshire, as well as leading ensembles and lessons. I have been active in promoting new music, including the world premiere of a work for unaccompanied bassoon at the National Portrait Gallery (composed by Andrew Mulhern). In 2016, I was an Artist in Residence at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, working with Anna Meredith to compose and perform music for the opening of Wonder Materials: Graphene and Beyond. In 2014, I performed Bach’s G minor Harpsichord Concerto as soloist with members of the Berkeley Ensemble, and have also appeared with Blackburn Symphony Orchestra.

My orchestral work includes performances with the Brandenburg Sinfonia, John Lewis Partnership Music Society, King’s College London Symphony Orchestra, Golden Sinfonia, Academy of St Mary-le-Bow, and Westmorland Orchestra. I was Principal Bassoonist and Pianist in the Westmorland Youth Orchestra (2013-2017), where I directed rehearsals of Vivaldi’s Bassoon Concerto in A minor, RV 497, and received the Probus Shield for dedication to the orchestra.

I have taken part in masterclasses with Ole Kristian Dahl, Giorgio Mandolesi, Bram van Sambeek, Peter Cropper, and Alicja Fiderkiewicz, and composed pre-concert music for Manchester Camerata’s concert with Tine Thing Helseth.

I enjoy sharing my passion for music: in October 2015, I ran an orchestral course, aimed at seven to thirteen year olds, for which I arranged and conducted music. This attracted more than twenty players and, at the requests of participants, a second course took place the following year. I recently tutored students on Uppingham School’s summer music course, and have taught bassoonists on the RCM's Junior programme.

Tutoring Experience:

I am comfortable with both individual and group teaching, having tutored with the Musicians' Company, British Double Reed Society, Royal College of Music Junior Department, Uppingham School, and the Triborough Music Hub. I have also run youth orchestra courses, and have private students. I am happy to teach online.

Tutoring Approach:

My overriding goal when teaching is that students enjoy the lesson and general musical experience, whether that be through a challenge outside of their comfort zone, or through broader musical appreciation. I focus on practice technique more than many teachers; I will only be with a student for one hour (or so) per week, meaning that the student's own hours of practice form the majority of time spent with an instrument. I therefore place strong emphasis on students learning how they can evaluate and improve their own playing, and use me for help with trickier problems.