Information About Tara - Greenwich teacher

Personal Description:

I am a professional vocalist, harpist and pianist with 9 years teaching and performing experience in London. I have a Masters degree in jazz performance from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, a Bachelors degree in Musical Theatre performance from The University of Ballarat (Australia) and an AMEB diploma in classical piano (Australia.)

On piano, I teach both classical and pop styles. My specialty on the harp is jazz, though of course beginners or classical students are welcome. As a vocalist, my forte is jazz, musical theatre and contemporary styles.

As a performer, I have worked professionally as a harpist for orchestras to performances with Björk and Tom Walker. I have worked as a session vocalist for big clients like Disney at Abbey Road and Air Studios and have played the piano at some of London's top hotels, including The Savoy, The Dorchester and The Rosewood.

Tutoring Experience:

In the 10 years I've lived in London I have enjoyed a great many private harp, voice and piano students. I worked for many years with The Al Pascal Music School teaching piano, with students achieving distinctions in the ABRSM exams.

I have coached college level voice students at The University of Ballarat and particularly love helping young vocalists build a solid technique and discover their own sound and style. Past students have appeared on the West End in "School of Rock" or have gone on to secure major management and recording contracts. I specialise in jazz and musical theatre vocal styles and treat all my vocalists as musicians.

As a harp tutor, I have given masterclasses at The Birmingham Conservatoire, The Royal Northern College of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, The Metropolitan University of Cardiff, Clare College Cambridge and Cheltenham College. Past students have since gone on to study jazz harp at The Royal Welsh College of Music and at the Conservatoire in Leipzig.

Tutoring Approach:

I aim to provide a solid technical foundation whilst inspiring my students to listen widely, develop their creativity and foster a lifelong love of music. I teach practice techniques and encourage my students to keep a practice journal to take ownership of their own progress. I teach note reading as well as harmonic awareness, improvisation and composition skills. The deeper our understanding of the creative process of music making, the more well rounded and expressive musicians we can become.