Welcome to a world of musical discovery! I offer engaging and personalised piano, harp, cello and recorder lessons from my home in Poole, Dorset, and online to students around the globe. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to advance your skills, I welcome pupils of all ages and abilities. I also have the pleasure of teaching harp and piano at Canford School.
While many of my students enjoy the challenge of working towards ABRSM and Trinity graded exams (and I’m proud to share a 100% success rate!), there’s absolutely no pressure to take them. My primary goal is to foster a love for music and help you achieve your musical aspirations.
Curious about the harp? Discover the magic with a special taster session! It’s the perfect way to see if this beautiful instrument is for you. These sessions make unique birthday or Christmas gifts, and I’m happy to provide a gift certificate for your loved one.
Lesson Rates:
- £17.50 for a half-hour lesson
- £35 for an hour lesson
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
About Lessons & Instruments
What instruments do you teach?
I specialise in teaching piano, harp, cello and recorder.
What ages and abilities do you teach?
I welcome students of all ages and abilities, from complete beginners to advanced players. Whether you’re a young child eager to start or an adult fulfilling a lifelong dream, I’m here to help you learn and grow.
Where do lessons take place?
I teach from my dedicated home studio in Poole, Dorset. For those unable to attend in person, I also offer online lessons, allowing you to learn from the comfort of your own home.
Do I need my own instrument?
Ideally, you do need an instrument to practice on regularly. You’re very welcome to come and try playing my instruments for a lesson or two first before committing to buying or renting your own. For piano lessons, a keyboard is perfectly fine to start with. Cello and harp can be more significant investments. I recommend contacting Poole Violins for cellos, and for hiring or buying a harp, I suggest Pilgrim Harps, Clive Morley Harps, or Camac Harps. I’m happy to guide you through the process of finding the right instrument.
How do I tune my harp or cello?
Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think! I can show you exactly how to do this during your lesson.
What kind of music do you teach?
While I focus on a strong foundation in technique and musicality, I am happy to explore a wide range of genres with my students, tailored to their interests. We can work on classical pieces, contemporary music, folk tunes, and more.
How long is a typical lesson?
Lessons are typically either 30 minutes or 60 minutes in duration, depending on the student’s age, attention span, and level of experience.
About Practice & ProgressHow much practice do I need to do?
For complete beginners, I recommend playing for about 10-15 minutes every day. Short, regular practice is significantly more efficient than one long session per week. As you progress and get better, you’ll naturally need to increase your practice time accordingly.
How quickly will I or my child see progress?
Progress varies for every student, depending on their individual practice routine and dedication. However, with regular lessons and consistent practice, you’ll typically notice significant improvements in just a few months!
About Exams & Goals
Do I have to do exams?
Exams are entirely voluntary. Some people thrive on working towards music exams and enjoy the challenge of passing them, while others are happier just learning for fun. My primary goal is to foster a love for music and help you achieve your musical aspirations. I’m proud to share my 100% success rate with ABRSM and Trinity graded exams for those who choose this path!
Am I too old to learn?
You’re never too old to learn! I welcome adult students of all ages and believe it’s wonderful to pursue a musical passion at any stage of life.
Is my child too young to learn?
As long as your child has started school, I am happy to teach them. We can discuss the best approach for very young learners during an initial chat.
Practicalities & Parental Involvement
Will my lesson be at the same time each week?
Yes, generally. Your lesson will be scheduled at a consistent time each week.
Do I have to have weekly lessons?
I highly recommend weekly lessons for children as this provides the best consistency for progress. For adult students, I’m happy to offer fortnightly lessons, but any less frequent than that generally doesn’t prove to be very effective for sustained learning.
Should I come into my child’s lesson?
This entirely depends on the child and their age. It’s often a good idea to come into the first couple of lessons so you can see my teaching style and how we interact. After that, many children get on better without a parent in the room, allowing them to focus fully. We can discuss what works best for your child.
Should I help my child practise at home?
This can really help, especially at the very beginning, and if you have some musical knowledge yourself. Your encouragement and presence can be invaluable. After a while, as your child becomes more independent, you’ll likely find you don’t need to help as much.
How do you take payment for lessons?
I require each half-term’s instalment of lessons to be paid for at the start of that half-term.
Contact & Trial Lessons
Do you offer trial lessons?
Yes, especially for those considering the harp, I offer taster sessions which are a fantastic, no-commitment way to experience the instrument. These also make unique birthday or Christmas gifts, and I can provide a gift certificate.
How do I book a lesson or taster session?
You can easily get in touch by here. I look forward to hearing from you and discussing your musical journey!
What is your cancellation policy?
Lessons cancelled with less than 24 hours notice will be charged at the full rate.
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