Information About Tom - Birmingham teacher

Personal Description:

Tom began piano lessons aged 6 and had picked up the cello by the time he was 8. A few years later he was awarded a scholarship to study at St Mary's Music School, Edinburgh, where he won string, composition and choral prizes. He is currently studying for his Masters degree in Performance as a scholar at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, having completed an Honours degree in Music from Goldsmiths, University of London in 2016.

Tom has taught cello, piano and music theory privately for several years, and has extensive experience of preparing students for ABRSM exams. He has also taught at Sheffield Music Academy for two years, teaching individual piano and cello lessons as well as performance classes, chamber music, aural and theory training. He is committed to building well-rounded, versatile and confident music-makers, and aims to engender a life-long affinity and love for music in all his students.

He has extensive experience as a performer of solo, chamber and orchestral repertoire; highlights include playing at the Royal Albert Hall, Barbican Centre & Royal Festival Hall with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, Buckingham Palace with the Goldsmiths Quartet, and performing the Shostakovich Concerto no. 1 with the Goldsmiths Sinfonia. He has also appeared at festivals throughout the UK and Europe with various folk and electroacoustic bands, and maintains a keen interest in popular and improvised musics.

Tutoring Experience:

2012: Music Teaching Assistant, St Mary's Music School

2012-13: Teacher of piano, aural & theory training and chamber music at Sheffield Music Academy.

2013-present: Private teaching of cello, piano & music theory; very successful track record in preparing students for auditions and exams

2015-16: Piano teacher at The Dan Tien performing arts school, Watford; I had a cohort of 6 beginner piano students at a youth & arts centre in Watford during my final year of University

2016 - 17: Teacher of cello, piano, music theory, chamber music & performance classes, Sheffield Music Academy
I rejoined the staff of the Academy after leaving University, furthering my experience of teaching individually and in groups

2017: Teaching Placement with Services for Education Birmingham
I am teaching group cello classes for the Birmingham Music Service as part of my Masters Degree

Tutoring Approach:

I am a talented, passionate and versatile musician, and my love of music and performing fully comes across in my teaching. I tailor my tuition to the needs of each individual student and cover all the foundations that make a well-rounded musician, including music theory, reading sheet music & learning by ear, and improvising ability, as well as technical precision and performance skills. I have experience of teaching all ages and abilities, from absolute beginners to advanced aspiring professional musicians. Above all I strive to make my lessons fun and enjoyable, establish a strong and friendly rapport with my pupils and their families, and instil a lifelong love and affinity for music in my pupils.