Information About Phil - St. Asaph teacher -

(3 reviews)

Personal Description:

I obtained my PhD in Musicology from the University of Manchester, where I have taught twentieth-century music history and music analysis at undergraduate level for eight years. Academically, I specialise in the art (classical) music of Russia and the former Soviet Union, and I have presented my research in Russia, Canada, Italy, Switzerland, France, and at conferences throughout the UK. I graduated from my undergraduate music degree in 2014 with first-class honours, where I also received an award for ‘most promising first-year student’ and the final-year music composition prize. I also hold a Master’s degree from the University of Bristol in Musicology with Russian. I have worked professionally as a piano accompanist, organist, continuo player, and orchestral violinist/violist in London and around the UK. I now live in North Wales, where I teach music full time. I offer discounts for children (under 18s) residing in North Wales - please get in touch for more details.

Tutoring Experience:

I am passionate about teaching music and getting the best out of both adult and child learners. I have worked as a private instrumental music teacher for more than ten years, andI have extensive experience teaching learners from very young beginners to adults. In addition to my private music teaching, I teach in local schools with my local music service, where I receive regular training and professional development about the latest trends in music education, including exam board training. I have also received teaching training from the University of Manchester where I taught seminars and mark undergraduate coursework. I have a 100% pass rate for my instrumental exam entries, with most attaining a merit or above.

Tutoring Approach:

I want the best for all my pupils, and combine teaching strategies honed from years of experience together with lots of positive reinforcement.

I encourage younger learners to prepare for graded exams, since they promote a structured pathway of development and provide a sense of achievement for many. Exams aren’t for everyone though, and I am equally happy devising a more customised approach. I employ a holistic approach in my teaching to promote all-round musicianship. As well as selecting repertoire that suits your (or your child’s) tastes, I intersperse these with other technical exercises, sight-reading/quick studies, music theory, aural training, historical context, as well as activities to develop creativity on the instrument.

Since the Covid 19 pandemic, online teaching has been a revelation to me, and I now believe that if conducted properly this approach is equally (if not more) effective than face-to-face teaching. I now specialise in teaching music online, and teach from my purpose-designed online teaching studio with high-quality audio equipment and multiple camera angles.