Information About Bethany - Bristol teacher -

(14 reviews)

Personal Description:

My name is Bethany and I am a professional musician, composer, producer and artist living in Bristol currently. I would describe myself as warm, friendly, understanding and very passionate about music.

I am a first class music graduate (with MA) based in Bristol who has been playing piano, viola, violin and singing for up to 18+ years, and teaching professionally for 10+ years. I have since picked up electric guitar, and folk /electric harp. I have always had a strong passion in music since I was very young and been involved in it in all forms which stems further than just performance - I am a producer of several albums, harpist on BBC6 2021 album of the year with Ishmael Ensemble, an award winning film composer, music video producer, music composer and am a member of several bands who perform. I think all these skills come into play in their own ways in my teaching. I love all forms of art but music is particularly special to me - and I wish to help others/teach others more about it.

I have completed classical grades (grade 8 for viola, and singing, and grade 7 for piano). I have been a member of many choirs and orchestras over the 17 years I have played. I have also performed in several pop, jazz or folk ensembles in England, Ireland and France including a project of mine called STANLÆY and other music groups (all places I have lived and studied). After living in Dublin, and being very interested in Scandinavian and Celtic folk culture/music, I have self-taught myself folk fiddle which heavily surrounds learning by ear - an invaluable skill for musicians. I love and appreciate both classical and folk tradition in fiddle playing. This has since migrated into folk harp - since learning the harp. I have been learning for 6 years now, with a combination of training from classical and folk teachers, self teaching, and hard-work. I am still a student myself (aren't we all!) but absolutely adore teaching the harp. I have 2 harps at my house so you are welcome to use mine - if you are having in person lessons.

I write my own music and am an avid composer and writer. I am also experienced in writing and playing music for different kinds of performances, and would be more than happy to focus on aspects such as composition, or song-writing in lessons. I think my wide range of artistic interest (ranging from performance, theory, to writing) makes my teaching ability unique as I can guide pupils in the direction of what suits them most, and go with the flow.

I am experienced in teaching theory, which is invaluable skill. And lastly, I am an experienced music producer, working with both Logic Pro X and Ableton and understanding other DAW's in order to help you craft and define your own sound. I am currently studying a masters in sound production and sound design, and would love to guide you with this awesome skillset too if this was where your heart lay. I can teach music production from home or online via zoom (same goes for the instruments I teach!)

Thank you for reading and hope to hear from you,
Bethany

£40.50/hr
£31.50 /for 45 minutes
£21.50 /a half hour

Tutoring Experience:

I have previous teaching experience with young adults and children, with my youngest student being 5. I have taught / teach classical, folk and pop and happy to guide people through grades, or just tailor the repertoire to the pupils wishes and not do grades.
Classical and Jazz theory
I have completed work experience for cochlear implant therapy with elderly people who have severe hearing loss, whilst studying Music Therapy as a music module at University. This meant adapting my teaching methods to a completely different environment - something I am very comfortable to do.
I have worked with several stroke survivors, teaching them piano as a way to soothe and improve motor skills.
I have taught a small ensemble of children folk tunes at Halsway Manor folk residential in Somerset, and I teach groups of young people at Firebird studios Saturday Morning Club
I worked for several years at Trinity centre with young adults in music production, music theory, lyric writing and singing performance, many students having difficult living situations and mental health vulnerabilities
I am currently a coach for young people with mental health vulnerabilities
I tailor my lessons to all levels of ability, so whether you've never picked up an instrument before or have been playing for a while, I'm happy to work out a learning plan that works for you.
I am DBS checked.
I teach in Bristol, either at my home or at you pupils home. I cycle and drive so I am happy to travel up to certain distances.

Tutoring Approach:

My approach to Music Tuition for all my instruments and voice is student led - unless they require more ordered guidance. Through clear communication, the student and I can work through which areas they wish to develop further. I teach a range from classical (grades, or leisure) to pop (grades or leisure), to jazz (theory, improvisation and tunes) to folk (which typically will include learning tunes aurally, an invaluable skill for musicians going into any field!).

I understand how important it is to be unique and to 'find your voice' in whatever instrument you are playing (voice being the obvious example) so I like to put an emphasis on this.

Finally, as a femme musician, I also understand the discrimination that sometimes arise in this field - and have myself experienced it first hand. I know my students capabilities and focus on confidence building, and finding their own voice in order to produce music - or a performance which is their own.