Information About Gary - Usk teacher

Personal Description:

I studied at Trinity College of Music, London gaining a GTCL Honours degree in 1990. I was awarded the Elsa and Leonard Cross Memorial Prize for a performance of the Mozart Piano Concerto in E flat, No. 22 and continued my studies in Amsterdam with Jan Wijn, Head of the Keyboard Department in the Sweelinck Conservatoire.

On returning to the UK I founded Forest Music School in 1993 in Essex and continued performing mostly as an ensemble player and accompanist. Since 2004 I have become closely involved with Finchcocks Musical Museum for early keyboard instruments (an interest I developed in Amsterdam) and since 2010 I am the Educational Co-ordinator and part of the demonstration team for the Museum working closely with Richard Burnett and Steven Devine.

In 2010 I re-located to South Wales to be closer to family, but retain a base in Kent and Essex for my work at Finchcocks and teaching for advanced and expert level students in Essex. I am now available for tuition on the piano in Penhow, near Newport , South Wales for all levels of piano tuition, accompaniment, coaching and examination preparation.

I am a member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians providing a basic level CRB check and provides guidance to all private instrumental teachers and coaches.

Tutoring Experience:

I have taught privately for over seventeen years, building a practice in Essex of over sixty students. I have taught all levels to diploma standard. I regularly give workshops and masterclasses at Finchcocks Musical Museum and demonstrate the instruments and give discussion sessions on the history of the piano to visiting educational groups of all ages.

Tutoring Approach:

My approach to music tuition is to have fun, explore and enjoy making music. I treat all students as individuals and tailor my tuition to develop their musical talent. Technique is developed to achieve each individuals musical aims with suitable repertoire, however, basic keyboard technique such as scales and arpeggio training, good posture, lack of physical tension and understanding of the rudiments of music is greatly encouraged and structured into each lesson. This approach has been developed out of many years of experience and development as a teacher.

Grade examinations may be undertaken, but I do not insist that all students undertake examinations.