Information About Valerie - Yeovil teacher

Personal Description:

Started my classical guitar studies on a half-size Ramirez at the age of three with my mother and by six, I had the opportunity to study with maestro Alexandre Lagoya at the Académie Internationale d’Eté in Nice, France and eventually with Ako Ito.
My Bachelor’s Degree is from Peabody Conservatory where I studied with Manuel Barrueco on scholarship and I received my Master’s Degree from Radford University where I was awarded a Graduate Teaching Fellowship.
As a private instructor, my students have received scholarships to prominent universities, such as University of Texas, Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University, Texas State University, Arizona State University, University of Louisville, and University of North Texas. Many of my students have won national competitions or placed in international competitions such as the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America.
I have performed on radio (included the Iain Lee Show on BBC Three Counties Radio), **Contact Detail Removed**vision, in over 30 festivals, both in the United States and Europe, and am an international competition prize-winner in 8 competitions.
Two recordings; Ex Tenebris… Lux, a solo project and Presti, an ensemble project, which were recorded at the National Public Radio studios in Houston.
Currently, I live in Yeovil, Somerset and continue to concertise and teach throughout the UK and the States. I teach online if the student has had previous experience. Currently, I have students in the States, UK and Switzerland so I am used to teaching online. In order to teach students 16 years old and above in my home, they must have had both vaccinations and wear a mask. I am clinically extremely vulnerable and must be **Web Address Removed**

Tutoring Experience:

* "Classical Minds" Guitar Festival was held in Foxton, Cambrige in 2020 and in 2021 we met online because of the **Web Address Removed**
For 15 years, the festival was in Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
* Part time classical guitar tutor at Leweston School, Dorset
* Musical Director and conductor of the Cambridge Guitar Orchestra in Cambridge, UK: January 2017 to the August 2021
* Music Director of the North Bucks Guitar Club in Woburn, UK: October 2015-December 2016
* Private guitar lessons in Marston Moretaine, UK (with theory): January 2015-present
* Private piano lesson sin Marston Moretaine, UK (with theory): October 2015-present
* Private guitar lessons through Skype in Marston Moretaine, UK: October 2013 – present
* Private Studio in Anchorage, Alaska: January 2012-April 2013
*Private Classical Guitar Studio in Katy, TX (kept up through Skype and through quarterly visits to Houston, TX when I moved to Alaska): Summer 1999-Summer 2013
*Adjunct Professor at the Houston Community College in Houston, TX (Music Fundamentals of Theory, Music Appreciations (General Music History), Piano Class 1, Theory I, Private Guitar Students): January 2003 – 2011
*Professional Classical Guitar Teacher through the Preparatory Department at Moores School of Music; University of Houston: August 2003 – May 2009
*Full time Instructor of Music at Montgomery College in Conroe, TX (Theory 1, Music Appreciation, Ear Training & Sight-Singing, Guitar Class, Guitar
Ensemble, Private Guitar Lessons): August 2002 – May 2003
*Adjunct Faculty at Montgomery College in Conroe, TX (Music Fundamentals, Music Appreciation, Private Guitar Lessons): October 2000 – June 2002
* Private Piano and Classical Guitar Teacer at Memorial School of Music in Houston, TX: January 2000-May 2001
*Adjunct Guitar Faculty at College of the Mainland, Texas City, TX: January-May 2000
*Adjunct Guitar Faculty at Radford University in Radford, VA (Private Guitar Lessons, Fretboard Skills Class, Faculty Recitals): August 1997 - May 1999
*Graduate Teaching Fellow at Radford University in Radford, VA (Guitar Class 1, Guitar Ensemble, Adjudicating Juries): August 1997 - May 1999

Tutoring Approach:

Classical Guitar only (I do not teach electric or steel string): students will learn correct position, improve upon sight-reading skills, basic theory. Along with the repertoire appropriate for the student's level, they will also keep up with warm ups and technique (scales, arpeggios, tremolo, rasqueado, Etudes, etc). I use the Trinity Books, ABRSM Books for Repertoire & Theory if students wish to follow the systems.
The more advanced the student, the more advanced the repertoire & technique. Suggested books: 'Pumping Nylon' by Tennant and Diatonic Major & Minor Scales by Segovia; Etudes by Sor, Carcassi, Villa-Lobos, Coste. For beginner/intermediate students some Method books that are interesting to work with in lessons: Pujol (Books 2 and 3), Noad (Complete Book for the Guitar), Sagreras. Students are encouraged to bring their own books that they have acquired.
Note: if students have started to work from the Trinity Music Books, we can continue to use this grading system.