Information About Nick - Carshalton teacher -

(2 reviews)

Personal Description:

Hi there! I'm Nick and I'm a professional musician, composer and teacher who has over 14 years of experience. I predominately teach saxophone and acoustic guitar to beginner/intermediate level but have also taken pupils up to grade 8 and beyond. I am a friendly, supportive and patient teacher and am able to adapt my teaching to the musical tastes and goals of my pupils. On the sax, I mostly play jazz, funk, blues and soul but have also taught classical sax using the ABRSM syllabus up to grade 7. I have a particular interest in improvising and believe this is something everyone is capable of learning - if they wish to!
As a performer I have played in numerous function bands and small jazz groups over the years, and currently I'm working as a resident musician in a couple of hospitals and care homes.
I have a 1st class honours degree in music from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and have recently completed a postgraduate course in music education. As well as working a private tutor, I also work for both Sutton and Merton's music service, teaching in both mainstream and special schools.

Tutoring Experience:

I've been playing saxophone for over 26 years and guitar for 20. I took grades on the saxophone when I was quite young, achieving grade 8 when I was 18. Although I studied composition at music college, I have had sax lessons from Mark Lockheart and Carlos Lopez-Real (two of Britain's most respected players and teachers).
I picked up the acoustic guitar when I was 15 and started teaching myself Bob Dylan and Simon & Garfunkle songs. My interest in latin music took me to Cuba where I studied Cuban and Latin guitar at the Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana for three months. I now teach using various acoustic/folk/pop syllabuses like LCME, Trinity and Rock School's acoustic guitar grades. I can also teach anyone wishing to play guitar and sing.

Tutoring Approach:

I believe everyone has the potential to be a musician and that you are never too young or old to start your musical training. I also understand what a big step it can be starting an instrument for the first time and therefore take pride in creating a comfortable and supportive environment in which my pupils can flourish. I constantly push my pupils to achieve the best they can in all areas including technique, repertoire, improvisation, sight reading, music theory and developing their own personal sound.

I teach both children and adults, absolute beginners and more experienced players. I have an excellent track record of pupils passing exams (often with merits and distinctions) although I only put pupils in for exams if they wish to do them. I also have extensive experience working with children and young people with special needs, working for such organisations such as The Amber Trust.