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Bio

Musical Background

I studied flute at the RNCM with Trevor Wye and was a Young Artist prize winner of the National Flute Association of America. Since graduating from the RNCM in 1987, I have been in constant, regular employment as a freelance performer. I am Principal flute with Sinfonia Viva and have regularly performed with orchestras such as the Halle, Manchester Camerata, Northern Ballet and the Philharmonia. I have been a Flute Tutor at Chetham’s School of Music for nearly 40 years and have been working regularly for the last 15 years as a flute tutor with the National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain. I am also a flute examiner for MTB (Music Teachers’ Board), marking weekly online video and audio exams, so I fully realise the expectations required to achieve good results in instrumental exams. Each of these activities is hugely stimulating and fascinating, and I feel that they all complement each other.

I thoroughly enjoy teaching students of all ages and abilities, trying my very best to help them fully realise their potential and develop a passion for music-making, which they can enjoy as a lifelong skill. I feel privileged to be able to nurture young talent and to inspire budding musicians; it is very much a two-way process from which I learn and benefit alongside the students.

 

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Teaching Info

I have 40 years’ experience of teaching complete beginners, right through to the established high-flyers at Chetham’s. I view every student as an individual, with their own particular strengths and areas for development, and I reflect on their progress regularly to ensure that lesson plans are appropriate and that goals are achievable.

Whether a student wins first prize in a national competition or simply learns to progress steadily from week to week, I thoroughly enjoy engaging with the learning process and encourage each student to achieve the best outcome that they can. It is so satisfying when a student achieves, be it obtaining an impressive exam result, receiving a place at a conservatoire or in a youth orchestra, or hearing the applause of an audience when they have performed in a concert.

I am always reviewing and looking for new teaching material and repertoire to use effectively in my teaching. I always try to ensure that students’ interests are considered to maximise their enjoyment. I aim to strike the correct balance between technical development and repertoire building, mixing important structured work with fun items in lessons.

I have a proven track record of success in exams, competitions and conservatoire  and orchestral auditions and have always shown a real commitment to my teaching work, alongside my professional playing. I have a reputation as a reliable member of staff in several organisations. I write weekly lesson notes in practice diaries so that the student can refer to these and I also encourage each student to practise regularly between lessons. I plan my diary carefully to ensure that my professional engagements do not impinge on my teaching commitments. I recognise how important continuity of lessons is for the ongoing and successful development of instrumental skills.

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