Information About Leo - Horsham teacher -

(6 reviews)

Personal Description:

I'm passionate about playing, writing music, and sharing the process with others. I'm primarily a jazz pianist and composer/songwriter, but I also love playing the music of the great classical composers and more recently, am gigging as a jazz bass player, which is lots of fun!

I have a first-class honours bachelor's degree in Jazz Saxophone, and 10+ years of experience as a professional musician. I have performed in bands, and recorded as a session musician, at festivals, venues and studios across the country, including Abbey Road Studios. Since switching to piano following an injury I have also been immersed in teaching, both privately, and in schools around the south-east. I play classical & jazz piano to grade 8+ standard. I hold an up-to-date enhanced child workforce DBS check.

Tutoring Experience:

I have 5+ years of experience running my own teaching practice and I also work as a peripatetic piano teacher in schools across West Sussex. The majority of my students are currently children age 5-11, although I also have lots of experience teaching teens and adults. Many of my students have passed the ABRSM jazz and classical grades with flying colours.

Tutoring Approach:

Experienced teacher of all ages, absolute beginners to advanced.

- Lover of all music especially jazz and classical.
- Seasoned performer & passionate about education.
- Teaching style: encouraging, friendly, positive, holistic.
- Available slots: Thursday and Saturday afternoons.
- First lesson (30-45 mins) is completely free and no obligation to continue.
- I am able to travel to students in Southwater and surrounding areas.
- Fully DBS checked - will provide certificate.

My current students are learning how to:

- master the various elements of piano technique
- read music fluently
- play by ear
- play from the heart!
- pass graded music exams with flying colours
- learn some favourite songs
- expand musical horizons
- develop self-expression through music
- understand music theory
- improvise and write original music!

Let's find out what will inspire and motivate YOU!

A little more detail about my approach:

When starting music lessons it’s best if you can find someone you will have great rapport with. You need someone who can tap into your/your child’s innate musicality. Music is one of the things that makes us human and playing should always be a joy, not a chore.

I'm a lifelong learner and I don't see teaching as just a series of instructions which a pupil must follow unquestioningly. It's much more a partnership and a journey of discovery the pupil and teacher undertake together. I have learnt so much though teaching because my students are encouraged to ask good questions which force me to think! A students' natural curiosity must be encouraged, not cast aside in favour of 'the important stuff'.