Information About Rhiain Awel - Coombe (Croydon) teacher -

(4 reviews)

Personal Description:

I am a Welsh harpist and pianist who has recently moved to Croydon and I enjoy teaching both harp and piano children and adult pupils. I first studied harp, piano and musicianship at the William Mathias Music Centre in Caernarfon with Elinor Bennett, Iwan Llywelyn Jones and Sioned Webb. Born in Mynytho at the heart of the Llŷn Peninsula, I have enjoyed many successes in Welsh Eisteddfodau and festivals including first prize in harp competitions at the National Eisteddfod and the National Cerdd Dant Festival. I am lucky to have had a variety of unique experiences, including performing Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro and Paul Patterson’s Spiders Web at the Dora Stoutzker Concert Hall, being invited to perform with Catrin Finch at the World Harp Congress in Hong Kong, accompanying choirs on piano and playing keyboard in pit bands. As well as teaching and performing as a soloist, I also enjoy creating music with others and am one half of harp duo Dwyres alongside my sister. Dwyres are proud to have been a part of Osian Ellis' 90th birthday celebration concert at Pontio Bangor alongside Bryn Terfel and Hannah Stone which was broadcast on Radio Cymru.

Tutoring Experience:

I have been giving private harp, piano, theory and aural lessons for the past ten years, taking nearly all my students through the ABRSM syllabus. From January 2018 I spent two years working and teaching at The Purcell School for Young Musicians. I firmly believe that communication with the parents of my younger students regarding the progress of their children is essential, and ensure that I provide regular feedback on their progress. During my time at the Purcell School I taught theory and aural one to one on a weekly basis, giving students an extra boost before their ABRSM exams. I prepared many sixth form students for their grade five theory ensuring that they gained this crucial qualification before entering conservatoire. As part of my continued professional training, I have undertaken a number of activities to enhance my teaching skills. I undertook various PGCE modules at Bangor University and have also participated in workshops and seminars at events such as the Music and Dance Expo, all of which have helped me hone my skills as a teacher and ensure my knowledge of effective teaching practices and exam boards is up to date.

Tutoring Approach:

During my time at RWCMD I completed an instrumental teaching module which gave me the opportunity to learn more about different teaching techniques and approaches. Every pupil is different and learn in different ways and I believe that it is important to identify what each student responds to in order to get the best results. A solid technique is crucial but instead of repeating various technical exercises which can be a bit tedious, I try to identify these techniques within pieces of music, helping them understand how good technique affects and supports their everyday learning, practicing and performing.