Information About Nicola - Haywards Heath teacher -

(6 reviews)

Personal Description:

Music has always been a major part of my life. Teaching - whether it be a beginner, an adult returning to music after many years away, or somewhere in between - enables me to share music with others, and help them have the many wonderful moments it can bring. I teach from my home in Haywards Heath, Sussex and welcome students of all ages and levels of experience - you just need to want to learn! Now, a little about me… I began piano lessons at the age of four and to broaden my musical awareness, took up the flute at the age of ten. After achieving grade eight piano and flute, I started to play the harp in 2000. By the age of eighteen I had passed Grade 8 examinations on all three instruments with distinction and achieved the certificate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama for Performance on Piano.

I graduated from the University of Nottingham with an Upper Second Class Honours Degree in Music (majoring in performance) in 2007. Since then I have achieved the Licentiate of Trinity College London with distinction for harp performance (please feel free to ask to see any of these certificates when you come for your first lesson).

As a soloist I have taken part in a number of music festivals, including winning my class at the Reigate Festival and in 2004 being a finalist in the Maidstone Young Musician of the Year Competition. I have given numerous public recitals in the Djanogly Recital Hall, Nottingham. I am now a free-lance harpist, playing at weddings, functions and concerts throughout the year and enjoy a busy teaching schedule. I have also also played as principal harp with a number of orchestras.

As a pianist, I've held the position of Musical Director for the East Sutton Community Youth Theatre, where productions included "Blood Brothers" and "Fame!". I was also a member of Spianato Piano Trio.

In 2008 I achieved my Post Graduate Certificate of Education at Canterbury Church University, after which I have worked in primary and preparatory schools in Kent and Surrey, both as a classroom teacher and as an instrumental specialist.

Tutoring Experience:

I am an experienced one-to-one music teacher on the piano, harp, flute and music theory. I have experience of teaching both children and adults, beginners and those with years of experience - the only condition is that they enjoy music! I am also a qualified and practicing classroom music teacher, as well as teaching piano in a music-focused Surrey Prep School one day per week.

I can give lessons on a weekly or fortnightly basis, either throughout the calendar year or on an academic term basis. For all instruments, preparation for all public grade examinations for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and Trinity College is offered, but not compulsory! I have helped my students successfully undertake examinations from Prep Tests through to Grade 8, and understand how best to prepare students wishing to go down this route.

Music theory is included as a standard part of both harp and piano lessons, to follow the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music's grade syllabus with preparation for Grade 5 music theory a focus. (Grade 5 music theory is compulsory for any candidate wishing to sit practical music examinations for Grades 6-8 ABRSM).

Tutoring Approach:

Learning to play an instrument is a two-way process involving both the teacher and the pupil - both need to enjoy what is going on for progress to be made! Music is about enjoyment. I believe that enjoyable lessons are a 'make or break' and therefore ensure that lessons are suitably paced and tailored for each individual pupil. No two people find the same things easy or the same music interesting and therefore I adapt my teaching to individual requirements, including catering for a variety of learning needs.

Once we have met and had a few lessons, I am more than happy to teach virtually for some of our sessions, however do believe that the most successful results will come in part from the personal relationship between teacher and pupil that is only fully gained in person. All of my pupils have had online lessons throughout the pandemic, and therefore this will be perfectly possible, once we have got things up and running.