Information About Anna - Hexham teacher

Personal Description:

My name is Anna, and I have been playing the violin since I was five. Throughout my childhood I played in lots of different ensembles - orchestras, folk bands etc, and really enjoyed performing solo recitals. I achieved a grade eight distinction, and 100% in my A Level music performance exams. After spending a year in Birmingham Conservatoire, and not enjoying it, I ended up studying English Literature in Leeds, though spent my years there playing in various bands. It was during this time that I started enjoying playing more contemporary music. After a period spent travelling i started teaching privately, and then began working for the Gateshead music service, for whom i have worked for 6 years. I have played in several bands in this time. I live in the countryside with my husband and my dog Frank. I am also into photography, (particularly landscape) and spend a lot of the time I'm not teaching travelling and taking lots of pictures. I teach from a base in Hexham, as well as traveling to some students locally.

Tutoring Experience:

I have taught privately for seven years, and for the Gateshead Music Service for six. I work in five schools in the Gateshead area, and two in Northumberland, teaching a mixture of small group, individual and whole class lessons. Privately, I teach a mixture of classical and folk music, to both children and adults - with an age range of five to sixty five!

Tutoring Approach:

I teach students of all levels and abilities, using both the ABRSM examination system and the traditional folk repertoire. Depending on the interests of my student I will tailor my lessons to suit them. I teach a lot of adult students, and have found that a lot of the time playing folk is rewarding as it allows them to play 'proper pieces' quicker, and is a more relaxed style technically. With younger students I often find starting with folk, and moving on to a classical examination route is effective, as it makes the lessons fun, and then has the sense of accomplishment achieved through grades. Most importantly I want to teach people who want to learn as I think playing music is the best thing in the world, and anyone can do it at any age.