Information About Charlotte - Reading teacher

Personal Description:

Charlotte studied at Royal Holloway, University of London and in the USA, and graduated with a 2:1 degree in music in 1997 with piano as her principal instrument. She taught part-time while she was a music student, and continued to do so during a five year period working in financial services following graduation. In 2003 she decided to pursue her teaching career full-time, and since then has run a busy private teaching practice and established a reputation as a specialist in adult tuition.

In addition to teaching, Charlotte gives regular solo performances. In 2003 she was awarded the Diploma of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in piano performance and in 2009 was admitted a Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music. She continues to expand her own skills as a pianist with post-graduate performance study and in June 2010 she recorded a CD of relaxing solo piano music, “Mozart for Mellow Moments”. She gives regular recital parties that students are invited to, which gives them an opportunity to hear her play as well as meet other adult learners.

Charlotte regards her continuing professional development as essential in maintaining a fresh approach to her teaching. She was awarded the Diploma of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in piano teaching in December 2011.

Tutoring Experience:

Adult tuition specialist in piano
- Have you always wanted to learn the piano but aren’t sure where to start?
- Did you learn as a child and wish you hadn’t stopped?
- Are you looking for a teacher who understands the needs of adult learners
Charlotte has nearly 20 years full-time teaching experience, working with adults from beginner level to advanced players. She also provides diploma coaching and support for new teachers. Her approach is flexible, depending on the aims of the student. She works from her home in Caversham, Reading.

Tutoring Approach:

Lessons take place in a dedicated teaching room at Charlotte’s home in Caversham Heights, Reading. She also offers online tuition via Zoom.

They last 55 minutes and are weekly or on an ad-hoc basis, between the hours of 8.45am – 6.45pm, Monday to Friday. Lessons can also be on an ad-hoc basis for those who want lessons less than once a fortnight or work irregular hours.

Weekly lessons are recommended for beginners, although this also depends on your own circumstances and Charlotte’s availability. Less frequent lessons are more appropriate for those who have been playing a while, and advanced students usually have lessons on an ad-hoc basis.

Students can learn a wide range of piano music, from arrangements of well-known tunes for beginners, to popular notated jazz styles, to the traditional classical piano repertoire. Charlotte recognises that everyone has different tastes in music and when choosing teaching material will always be guided by the interests and aims of the student.

Charlotte understands that for nearly all students the piano is just a hobby and needs to fit around other commitments as well as family and social life. She knows that occasionally a week will pass without the piano being touched, and structures lessons to take account of this.

Lessons are different for everyone, although they are based on playing pieces that progressively develop musical and technical skills. For those wanting to do exams; technical exercises, aural training, sight-reading and music theory are all part of the syllabus, and are therefore included in lessons. For those playing purely for pleasure, developing these skills in addition to playing pieces can be helpful, but is by no means obligatory.

As well as piano lessons, Charlotte teaches music theory to those who want to study it for pleasure or need to pass grade 5 theory as a prerequisite of higher grade piano exams. For grades 1-5, this is usually done as part of regular piano lessons, although Charlotte also offers intensive theory lessons for students wanting to study theory beyond grade 5. She particularly enjoys working with those wanting to take the piano teaching diploma (for which grade 6 theory is a prerequisite), and offers practical support to inexperienced teachers embarking on their career, as well as providing coaching through the entire teaching diploma process.