Baroque to Classical and Beyond

 My Teaching Philosophy

As a medium for the expression of human emotion, the piano is unsurpassed. With the piano as my constant companion I have found solace, released anger, expressed joy, received inspiration, inspired others, and gained immense enjoyment and satisfaction.

To express moods and feelings through the piano requires a thorough grounding in both listening and technical skills.

I prepare my students so that they, too, can choose to create music for their own personal satisfaction, share their music with others, or use it as a significant tool for emotional self-expression.

This is achieved primarily through aural, practical and sight-reading exercises; written theory of music; a wide variety of repertoire; and knowing what, and how, to practise at home.

I maintain a strong focus on classical music - although other genres are lightly interspersed - as it is the most demanding in terms of technique, and yet the most rewarding in terms of the end result: enhanced interpretation and performance.

Invaluable in this regard is a broad appreciation of music, which can be cultivated through attending concerts and live performances. (After two very successful turnouts at the brilliant Mozart and Beethoven concerts last year, further outings are being organised for 2006 which students, their families and friends are welcome to attend.)

The driving force behind all musical progress is an enduring love of music. Through private, individual tuition, all students are treated as individuals in their own right and study at their own pace, whether or not they are sitting for exams. They are, however, encouraged to extend their own levels of achievement.

I do not hold piano competitions. I agree with classical guitarist John Williams when he says, “I don't like or approve of competitions on any instrument. I don't think music can be evaluated like a race.”

The very nature of competition requires that in the hands of the competitor music must become a weapon by which other competitors are overthrown. But this is not the purpose of music! Music is an art!

The only competitive spirit in my studio is that fostered by the students themselves in order to better their own standards of excellence. In this regard, our friendly and informal end of term recitals are wonderful motivators!

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