Information About Sophie - Putney teacher

Personal Description:

I first wanted to play the cello when I was 7 years old, after listening to Saint-Saen's 'the Swan' being performed at a local concert. Shortly after, I began to have cello lessons.

In 2020, I received a first in my music degree from Durham University, where I specialised in cello performance. I also hold Grade 8 ABRSM music theory and Grade 8 Trinity Guildhall piano. I offer music theory tuition in addition to cello lessons.

I still study the cello privately with Tim Lowe, a professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and I attend the International Cello Gathering courses each year.

As a friendly and personable person, I have learnt to build strong relationships with young people and colleagues. I am DBS checked and have extensive training in safeguarding.

I am familiar with both the ABRSM and Trinity syllabuses and will happily teach both. I own a wide range of teaching books and materials and aim to incorporate a wide variety of resources into my lessons.

Tutoring Experience:

I am a committed cellist and teacher, currently working for the charity Music Masters, and for Merton Music Foundation. Music Masters are a ground-breaking charity, and I teach individual, paired and group cello lessons between years 2-5, whilst I teach at secondary age for MMF.

Over the last three years, I have worked at two specialist music schools, The Purcell School and Wells Cathedral School. I am familiar teaching pupils of all ages, having worked with children at both primary and secondary age. I have absorbed a broad range of teaching styles through observing outstanding teachers through lessons and masterclasses, which has helped to inform my own teaching style.
I also have experience teaching pupils with special educational needs.

I live in Putney, London, and offer private tuition, travelling to my pupil's houses.

Tutoring Approach:

I plan my lessons to be fast-paced, engaging, but also establish routine. I want all of my pupils to feel supported and inspired, and I adapt my approach to each pupil, depending on their needs and goals.

I provide my pupils with a good system for cello technique, which they can use to help them express their musicality and ideas in the pieces they enjoy playing.

I am halfway through a PGCE course in instrumental teaching, which I am studying part-time this year. Music Masters are kind enough to sponsor this for me. This has been fantastic for me so far, encouraging me to self-reflect on my teaching methods, and introducing me to methods such as Kodaly and Dalcroze. I now place much more emphasis on teaching beginners aurally and developing musicianship skills, which I have integrated into my teaching.