Information About Sarah - Rowlands Gill teacher -

(6 reviews)

Personal Description:

I'm a classically trained musician with a strong folk focus. My first instrument is violin, my favourite classical repertoire to play is unaccompanied Bach but I also have a love for juicy romantic showpieces and Schumann and Prokofiev in particular. More recently I have become very interested in folk music, particularly Northumbrian tunes - folk music notation doesn't give many answers but it offers so many possibilities that I find it incredibly exciting to learn about! I am a keen student of the Northumberland Small Pipes - I feel that my learning in this discipline has informed my teaching of all music over the last 7 years, and I feel ready to share the skills I've learned with students. Note for potential bagpipes students - I teach only Northumberland Small Pipes, I don't teach any other bagpipes.

Tutoring Experience:

11 years peripatetic teaching in schools and colleges - students aged 5-18 - Violin, Viola, Northumberland Small Pipes
11 years curriculum music and Whole Class Ensemble Tuition of Violin, Viola, Ukulele, Tin Whistle, Voice, Ocarina, Glockenspiel, Recorder, Percussion and Body Percussion
5 years string ensemble leadership at a West Yorkshire community music centre
2 years musical direction at a youth orchestra in Gateshead
2 years string ensemble leadership at schools on Gateshead
14 years private tuition - students all ages - Violin, Viola, Northumberland Small Pipes

Tutoring Approach:

I love teaching music and finding a path to a fulfilling musical life for every one of my students. My approach is very practical and hands-on - I use clear language to communicate what I want, I will demonstrate what I want and I will tell you what you need to change to achieve it. Strong technical foundation is important to me - but this doesn't mean you will be made to do the same dull exercise over and over again - I'm more inventive than that! Music is a joy, a release and a friend. I strongly believe that the path you want to take is the right one for you - I will encourage you, I will teach you and I will push you to get to where you want to be - your choice is as valid as my opinion. My aim as a teacher is to share with you all there is to love about the journey of learning to play an instrument, as well as the joy of achieving each step along the way.