Information About Gwen - Gillingham teacher -

(1 review)

Personal Description:

Following a career break to have my two lovely daughters, I'm delighted to be teaching music once again!

I initially studied as a 'Junior Exhibitioner' at the Royal Academy of Music from the age of 14-18, studying piano with Timothy Barratt (who has since co-written the ABRSM’s Teaching Notes on Piano Exam pieces and was a founding mentor of the CT ABRSM) and oboe with Tess Miller (principal oboe with the Academy of St. Martins in the Fields, Steinitz Bach Players, the Orchestra of St. Johns Smith Square).

I subsequently studied music at King's College London and music performance at Birmingham Conservatoire, combining instrumental tuition with more in-depth musical studies. I also studied conducting, composition and arranging during this time.

I have performed (either as a soloist or as part of an ensemble) at the Royal Festival Hall, the Purcell Room, the Royal Albert Hall, Barbican Hall and numerous venues across the UK.

My composition "One for Sorrow" is now part of the 'standard repertoire' for oboe soloists and my jazz arrangements are regularly performed by many London big bands.

Having children of my own has galvanised my passion for music education, in particular the importance of well-structured, early-years opportunities for young children. Music can become a life-long passion and I want provide young musicians of all ages with the tools to begin their journey. Please do get in touch for a chat and I really hope to be able to share some of my love and experience of music with you!

Tutoring Experience:

I have been teaching for over 20 years (although I have only recently returned to teaching having taken a break whilst my own children were young). Although I love starting at the very beginning with young beginners, I am also experienced in teaching up to diploma level.

I am very happy to tutor adult beginners/returners and to work around the additional time pressures that adults face (for example by offering longer, fortnightly lessons, rather than weekly) I also have additional experience teaching students with SEN/D - my music studio is on the ground floor and wheelchair accessible.

Although I teach from home my studio is fully equipped with a professional piano for pupils plus an additional piano for demonstration/duos/concertos/etc.

For the past two years I have also been a founding member of the prestigious Curious Piano Teachers group, which specialises in Continued Professional Development for piano teachers and develops unique toolkits for the 21st Century learner.

Tutoring Approach:

I am incredibly excited to be offering Kodály-based Music Kindergarten and General Musicianship classes in Medway once again.

I offer small, structured music classes for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers, as well a group for home educated children up to the age of ten. Musical play - singing, dancing and listening - gently develops the core skills of musicianship - pulse, pitch and rhythm - in a relaxed learning environment.

The curriculum is based on the teachings of Hungarian musician and educator Zoltán Kodály (the Kodály Method).

Studies have shown that the Kodály Method improves intonation, rhythm skills, music literacy, and the ability to sing in increasingly complex parts. Outside of music, it has been shown to improve perceptual functioning, concept formation, motor skills, and performance in other academic areas such as reading and mathematics.

Piano students benefit from a similarly 'holistic' approach to teaching, building on the Kodály Method, but also using more traditional teaching techniques. ABRSM (Associated Board) exams are offered to pupils who wish to use this system, but this is by no means expected or required of pupils.