Information About Andromachi - Manchester teacher -

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Personal Description:

Andromachi (Maggie) was born in Patras, Greece. She is a Qualified Music Teacher (UK and EU QTS both in Primary and Secondary Education), Composer, Professional Singer (Mezzo-Soprano), Pianist, and Humanities teacher.

As Composer many of her compositions (for string orchestra, ensembles, mixed a cappella choirs, and soloists) were performed in well-known concert halls in the UK, USA and Greece including the Whitworth Art Gallery, Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall, St Michael Church in Ancoats, Asheville of North Carolina, Megaron - The Athens Concert Hall, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Conference and Cultural Center of the University of Patras, Technological Educational Institute T.E.I. of Patras, American College of Greece-Deree, Orfeio Conservatory of Athens, etc. As Mezzo-soprano and Choir Conductor Maggie performed operas, oratorios, lieder, contemporary compositions, musicals, jazz songs and other genres of music at many prestigious venues in Greece such as the Odeon of Herodes Atticus – Festival of Athens 2004, Conference and Cultural Center of the University of Patras, French Institute of Athens, Apollo Theater of Patras, OLPA open theatre in Patras, Diakideios Sxoli Laou Concert Hall, Technological Educational Institute T.E.I. of Patras, etc. Moreover, she participated in seminars, conferences and CPD programs including the Alexander Technique, YAMAHA preschool program for children 3-6 years old, 3rd International Symposium on Movement & Computing, online course ‘Child Safeguarding Training’, Andre Marchand piano masterclass, etc.

Maggie`s studies have been concentrated on different areas of the Arts and Sciences gaining a Distinction in her Diplomas in Music. The studies in music were focused on the areas of Advanced Music Theory (Composition, Fugue, Counterpoint, Harmony), Vocal Studies, and Piano. Interested in combining Music, Arts and Sciences she obtained a BA (Hons) in European Civilization (Humanities). Believing in lifelong learning and always being energetic and motivated to achieve high standards both as a teacher and performer, Maggie completed the Master in Music (MMus) in Composition (Instrumental & Vocal) at the University of Manchester as full time postgraduate student. Apart from Greek (native speaker) and English, she also studied German and Italian.

Tutoring Experience:

Maggie has taught Music theory and Advanced Music theory (music history, music analysis, instrumentation, harmony, harmonization in piano, ear training exercises, solfege, counterpoint, fugue, composition, orchestration), Vocal lessons, Choir and Piano at KS1-KS5 (A-level) in schools, preparing for GCSE/A-level exams, and undergraduates (essays, dissertations and exams). Also, she has conducted and accompanied mixed voice choirs and ensembles, and has taught in higher education and conservatories for nearly 20 years working with different age groups (6-18 years old and adults) and abilities in 1:1, medium and large class sizes. Namely, she has collaborated with St. Bernard`s RC Primary School, Clarksfield Primary School, St. James CE Primary School, Mather street Primary School, Holy Family RC Primary School, Divine Mercy RC Primary School, Bare Trees Primary School, St. Joseph RC High School, Denton Community College, Glossopdale Community College, Rayner Stephens High School, East Manchester Academy, Matthew Moss High School, Ashton on Mersey High School, Essa Foundation Academies Trust, Oasis Academy Oldham, Private Higher Education Drama School Patras Municipal Regional Theatre, Music School of Patras (Grammar school specialized in music), Primary schools in Kiato region, Municipal Conservatory of Rion, Synchroni Techni Conservatory, Philippos Nakas Conservatory, etc.

Tutoring Approach:

In Maggie`s main concern is the participation of the student and the student`s family during the whole educational process. Thus, she is dedicated in working hard, efficiently and effectively providing tailor-made, up-to-date lessons motivating the tutees to discover their own unique talents achieving their goals. Each lesson includes theory, practice, use of CDs and DVDs accordingly to each student`s unique abilities, interests and pace of learning. Maggie has strong work ethic and is patient, respectful to the students, flexible, with positive attitude, open minded, a good listener able to solve problems.

The course of Music Theory not only gives to students the skills to read and write western music notation but also enables them to become familiar with more advanced concepts in music including the course of harmony, music analysis, instrumentation and basic principles of composition. Each composition session is a new magical world for the tutees as they learn to compose different music genres, motivating them to search and discover their own unique compositional style, and become composers and potential performers.

The course of Vocal Studies-Singing gives the opportunity to the singers to express themselves by using only their body and face. Singing has physical, psychological and emotional benefits according to researchers, helping people to be healthier and happier. Technique is of great importance in singing (circular breathing technique, movements of the whole body and face, ear and pitches training) as our body is our instrument; it is so complicated but such a challenging process. A singer always needs to express his/her feelings, thoughts, to cure his/her Sole, to explore famous compositions from different genres, prepare and perform them. Is there a better way to challenge, search and learn about yourself than by performing?

The piano is an extremely fascinating instrument. As tutor, Maggie tries to make the students realize that piano can sound like an orchestra as this instrument has the range of an orchestra, and the pianist is able to play many notes simultaneously in many different ways. Moreover, piano is the perfect visual representation of the whole music theory and the ideas that derive from this knowledge. Therefore, as tutor she pays attention to combine the music language with the Alexander and fingers technique, appropriate style and emotion in order to transform each tutee to a complete artist. For achieving that, the student is taught the most appropriate for each composition piano technique (body position, right movements, breathing control and right poise) and style, a good step for an efficient performance; but more importantly the tutee is motivated to search, discover, feel and express his/her own thoughts and emotions (introspective experience). All of these are unique for each student as each person has different personality with different skills, abilities and needs.