Information About Nikki - Redhill teacher -

(9 reviews)

Personal Description:

I am able to offer an option of face-to-face or Zoom teaching.

I am an International Senior Examiner for Trinity, specialising in the Rock & Pop Syllabus. I teach piano / keyboards / voice and composition including integrated theory support. I prepare students for graded exams from grade 1 to Diploma level on piano and to Grade 8 Rock & Pop Vocals & Keyboards. I also run Composition classes for individuals or groups for GCSE / A level support and for the inclusion of Own Compositions as an exam entry within the Trinity Classical Piano grades.

I have been a professional pianist and keyboard player for many years, including lead and backing vocals in bands and contemporary choir settings. I have performed at Ronnie Scotts, Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall, The Barbican, Pizza Express. As a composer my works for large and small ensembles have performances throughout Europe, including The Royal Albert Hall, Aldeburgh Festival and Huddersfield Festival.

I hold a PhD in Jazz Composition at the University of York after graduating from the Royal Academy of Music in 2012 becoming Master of Music in Composition, passing with Distinction. Previously, I studied at the University of Sussex, attaining a 1st class BAHons degree in music and winning the music award for outstanding achievement.

I run the Soundtracks choir in Earlswood, and welcome new members to come and give us a go on Monday nights. First session is free.

Tutoring Experience:

I have been teaching for over 25 years, at all levels from beginner to diploma level. I support students through graded examinations in piano - jazz or classical and music theory using the Trinity syllabus. I also draw on my experience as a keyboard player and vocalist in bands across the UK and France to offer Trinity Rock & Pop Exam preparation to Grade 8. This will help you develop confidence, build a contemporary repertoire as used in many bands, and for vocalists, develop range, tone quality and security in intonation.
I run workshops in composition & band skills for all ages, beginner to advanced, including preparation for application to composition degrees at conservatoire level.
My blog on Technical Work for the Trinity Piano exams was published in 2018. You can read it here: **Web Address Removed**

PERFORMANCE:
Every year students are invited to perform at an informal concert, sharing their work and own compositions. This event is supported by a professional rhythm section (bass & drums). This is a friendly event, often ending in a jam session.
I also run workshops throughout the year to give singers and pianists the opportunity to play with a professional rhythm section to learn band skills and improvisation (soloing) techniques. Other music workshop events are available in the summer holidays, including song writing, composition and musicianship skills.

Tutoring Approach:

I teach music in a holistic sense, to develop a student's understanding of music alongside learning to read written notation and developing techniques of playing or singing. I encourage composition and playing by ear from the early stages, incorporating many styles of music to all students. If you wish to concentrate on jazz or blues repertoire, I enjoy teaching the principles of groove and feel. If you wish to take exams, I can support you through the graded system. Much of your repertoire, especially at an early stage, will be written for you, or by you (with my support).
If you don't want to follow the grade system, I encourage all types of learning. The most important thing is that you are achieving what you want from your lessons - I'm just here to guide you!
I would say my speciality is in re-training adults who learned as a child and in inspiring teenagers who may have lost interest in music lessons, but who want to give it another go. I do enjoy working with beginners and recommend that young children benefit most from starting lessons once they have basic numeracy and literacy skills in place.

Each student will receive digital notes via email or file sharing after their lesson, including goals, timetables and links to reference material. This allows students, parents and myself to keep a clear focus on practice and progress.

Students studying for GCSE (year 10 & 11) or A level music are offered at a discounted rate of £55 per hour.

All students come to me in Earlswood, where we have a bespoke music studio with a Yamaha G2 Grand Piano and Roland RD-88 keyboard for you to use during your lessons.