The goal of my teaching is sharing the wonder of music beyond the practice, teaching and exam rooms. This stems from my experience as a performer: I’ve been shortlisted for a Gramophone Award, broadcast regularly, and given countless concerts in this country and around the world. I teach all levels, from aspiring beginners to diploma level. My pupils are drawn from across West Yorkshire and include recital class winners at local music festivals. I also teach online. Of those taking grade exams, the majority of my pupils attain distinction or merit. Perhaps more significantly, at care homes, on pianos in public spaces, and in local concerts, my pupils seem to make people happy. Above all, I enjoy my teaching, and evidently so do my pupils: one thing I’m proud of in this respect is that pupils I’ve taught as children often stay in touch and become friends when they become adults. Together with my wife Caroline, I host a great ‘alumni’ evening each Christmas.
On a practical level, I teach on a Steinway grand here at home in Ilkley. From the very earliest stages I teach pupils how to teach themselves. Rather than give them off-pat answers, I want them to realise that teasing out music from the notes written on the page is a fantastic game. I also point pupils towards improvising around the written note – whether in earlier classical music or jazz. For all my reservations about them, I recognise that qualifications are a modern necessity, so I prepare pupils for Trinity and Associated Board exams. I encourage ensemble playing – most often piano duets with myself or other pupils. With children at a young age I encourage parents to sit in on lessons, and generally to share involvement in progress. Excellence is not achieved without effort… but also not without pleasure!
To enquire about lessons, please get in touch here.