Information About Melanie - Cromarty teacher

Personal Description:

Hello, I'm Melanie!

I have been teaching for 16 years regularly. It is very rewarding being a part of every student's development. I am a patient and encouraging person to work with, who teaches with a sense of humour. At the age of 16 I received the opportunity to assist Ms. Anna Shuttleworth (student of Pablo Casals), and really enjoyed supporting young cellists.

My places of education are Chethams School of Music, Trinity College of Music, Royal Northern College of Music, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (USA)

My main instrument is 'Cello. As well as teaching, I perform mostly as a solo musician giving recitals and performing for special services. Over the last several years I have arranged and recorded Amazing Grace, Scarborough Fair, Children's Songs by Bartok, and Hallelujah (Cohen), all of which are recorded and available online to listen to. Due to lock-down in 2020, I decided to focus more on composition while teaching/playing, and have written 17 pieces for children. Currently I am in the middle of recording these pieces.

Tutoring Experience:

In 2019 I relocated from Greater Manchester to Tain. Some of my students in Greater Manchester have continued lessons with me online, and these have been a success with some of my students passing ABRSM exams with distinction or high merit. Due to covid-19 I began teaching my local students also online from March 2020.

*Having lessons online is very possible if you live a longer distance from where I am based. You just need a good internet connection and a decent webcam. I have learned that lessons online work for students aged 7/8 and above, however students under 7 years old might respond well as we are all different.

Teaching roles I have had are:
CIS Instructor for San Francisco Conservatory of Music (2005-2008)
California State University East Bay (2008)
Sheffield Music Academy (2008-2013)
Tameside Music Service (2009-2011)
University of Liverpool (2012-2016)
Private Teacher (2008 to present)

Tutoring Approach:

My style of teaching is encouraging and structured, and it is important that each student is allowed to learn at their own pace. I enjoy training each student towards understanding Music as a language in itself, working on both the technical and musical sides of their playing, developing inner-hearing and listening skills, and helping them become more confident. It is important that the student, whether a child or an adult, has fun during their lessons, so I teach with a sense of humour.

During online lessons I involve each student in activities which cover overall musicianship:

*Solfa singing (doh, re, mi, fa, and so on) with hand signs added for younger learners, has proved to be constantly beneficial for students. Through Solfa singing the student's inner-hearing is gradually developed more, and this gives them many benefits such as learning to play in tune sooner, a strong musical memory, and playing with more physical ease. (If a student doesn't want to sing this is not a problem.)

*Another activity I involve them in is Dalcroze Eurhythmics, in which myself and the student move to music. Experiencing their pieces with their entire body makes a big difference regarding how the student handles pulse and rhythm while playing their instrument.