Information About George - Greenwich teacher -

(8 reviews)

Personal Description:

Fancy discovering the secrets of the piano, learning how to play your favourite songs and become an expert in martial arts? Well, I can definitely help with the first two! I am a London based classical concert pianist, with an Artist Diploma from the Royal College of Music and over 20 years of performing experience. I am a lover of all types of music so whether you like classical, jazz, pop, rock, film music, video game soundtracks or even doing your own composing/improvising, I can help you dive into the magical world of music and discover the joys of playing the piano.

If you're a beginner, here's a list of things you could learn in our lessons:

• how to play the piano from scratch
• how to play some of your favourite songs and tunes - classical, jazz, rock, pop, movies, video games, you name it
• how to confidently read a score (and all the black dots and squiggles)
• how to improvise without a score and make up your own songs (it can be done from the very first lesson!)
• work towards ABRSM and Trinity grades, and the keys to passing with distinction or merit

If you're advanced, we can also:

• go in depth on classical repertoire and advanced techniques
• learn how to quickly problem solve tricky bits in a piece of music and be effective in your practice to minimize the time spent on mindless repetition (the closer to zero, the better)
• learn tips and tricks to make your general playing smoother and more effortless
• learn a range of techniques that will expand the type of sounds you can make at a piano
• learn how to play jazz standards, pop, rock, soul, how to read chords and improvise
• learn more about harmony and theory, and how to use it to enhance our playing and improvisation
• how to express feelings and moods through improvisation and composing
• work on all the other necessary secondary skills like aural training, sight reading, transposing, recognising chords, and not clapping on 1 and 3 (!!!)

More about me:

I am an award-winning musician and a passionate piano and music theory teacher. I have been playing the piano since I was 6 years old, and competing since I was 8, having won over 20 first prizes at international competitions. I have performed internationally as a soloist and with orchestras in Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Romania, France and the UK in venues such as the Wigmore Hall in London, West Road Concert Hall in Cambridge, Dôme de Pontoise in France and Mozarteum Concert Hall in Sazlburg, Austria. You can find more information about my projects and upcoming performances on my social media and website. I perform often in the UK, so it would be fun to also see you at a concert sometime.

In-person teaching only, at my home studio - first session is 50% off
Special request on-line lessons can be offered to advanced students

Tutoring Experience:

• 6 years of teaching experience in one-to-one lessons and group masterclasses, ages 5-18
• 20+ years of performing experience and knowledge to share
• currently teaching piano at Brighton College Prep Kensington
• previous teaching positions at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland's Junior Department and Stewarts Melville College, Edinburgh
• Enhanced DBS check
• Up to date knowledge of ABRSM and Trinity exam requirements, as well as UK Conservatoire Entry exams

Tutoring Approach:

The goal is always to make the lessons fun and engaging, whilst also aiming to learn new things and gaining new skills. I cater all my lessons to each student's individual preferences. I avoid using the same method with every student because nobody likes music for the same reasons. After the first few lessons I outline what I think we can learn in the near and far future, and keep regular checks on our progress. A side benefit to this approach is that you become better at learning in general, better at communicating and abstract thinking and you get maximum fulfilment from playing the piano.

Lessons are held at my home studio, on my KAWAI K-15 Upright Piano. The room gets regular ventilation and disinfection, and there is a private guest bathroom for students and parents.

On special request, I am fully equipped to teach online (Skype, Zoom, Facetime and others). My virtual setup is made of several camera angles including ones of the piano keys, easy to follow, music score with live annotations, as well as quality microphones to make your lesson as immersive and productive as possible, all from the comfort of your home.