Information About Jack - Lewisham teacher -

(2 reviews)

Personal Description:

Hi! I'm Jack, a performer, composer and educator based in South-East London. I primarily play clarinets and saxophones, but occasionally dabble on the flute, piano and wind synth as well. I perform regularly with several ensembles across London and the South-East, from Big Bands to orchestras, klezmer groups, clarinet choirs and function bands. You will regularly find me performing on bandstands and jazz venues across London, which previously included St Martin in the Fields, PizzaExpress Live Soho, The Blues Kitchen Brixton, Regents Park bandstand and more.

I trained in classical and jazz performance, and currently play everything from orchestral/solo classical, jazz, swing, funk, soul, blues, pop and klezmer music. I am a graduate of the University of Manchester, where I studied clarinet with Chris Swann at the RNCM, as well as composition and arranging, analysis, musicology, electro-acoustic music, and music for film and theatre. I’ve been fortunate to perform as a soloist on UK premieres and have had compositions and arrangements performed by Manchester ensembles. My work life involves managing ensembles, supporting education providers and charities specialising in music and the arts that provide outreach and education projects for schools and communities.

Tutoring Experience:

I have taught several adult learners in addition to children and young people – working towards grades or personal objectives as needed. I work regularly with children and young people both in and outside school settings, particularly with KS2 and KS3 students, and am DBS checked. I am happy to work with both complete beginners as well as more advanced pupils. I mostly visit client’s houses for lessons rather than teach from home. Previous students have mostly been based in Manchester before I relocated to South-East London two years ago.

I primarily teach the clarinet and saxophone as well as the different variants (E-flat/Bass clarinets) and saxophones (soprano/alto/tenor/baritone). I teach classical, jazz, pop and klezmer styles and like all my students to experience the different genres. I also teach music theory for the ABRSM syllabus and have experience teaching GCSE and A-level composition techniques.

As a professional within the arts world - working in orchestral management, higher education and advanced training programmes, and project management of schools and community work - I am able to advise on the various opportunities available to young people within the music scene and potential career goals and education routes to achieve these. Whether this is performing in an ensemble, solo or theatre/studio work, teaching, music production, music technology, or outreach work, I can guide students to move towards their interests and advise on the steps they should be taking, as well as reaching out to contacts within the industry to offer further advice.

Tutoring Approach:

I play music because it excites me and gives me energy, and I try to share this passion with my audiences and pupils. My teaching style is no different; I believe the best way to learn music is to have fun along the way and make this the primary objective. This can include working towards music grades, school band pieces, major events (some clients have previously aimed for wedding performances!) or a performance of a favourite song/nursery rhyme to family and friends. Whatever the purpose of your study, I do everything to ensure that we have fun in lessons and that progress and practice naturally follows on.

I work with all my students uniquely, tailoring lessons to what the student enjoys most, while still striving to develop their playing to the best it can be. I find it useful to have a goal that both sides feel is realistic yet challenging and then bring in the different elements of learning music and an instrument into this naturally. Music Theory and Composition students will take a more academic approach while still ensuring the connection with their own performance is strongly maintained.

I normally suggest beginners start on a half hour lesson as playing initially can be hard work, and the lesson should be as enjoyable as possible. Intermediate and advanced students will benefit more from the full hour which allows us to work on technical and performance issues while learning about the pieces as well. 30-minute lessons are charged at 50% of my hourly rate.