Information About Nicholas - Kenley teacher

Personal Description:

Nicholas Richard was born 1981, Croydon, South London.
Although originally taught on piano he began to learn the guitar and form a school band.

From 1999 to 2001 he studied performing arts at Croydon College, performed as a musician for "The Wizard of Oz" and was also musical director for "The Twisted Tales of Red Riding Hood" at"Fairfield Halls, Ashcroft Theatre" Croydon.

Nick went on to study music in Cambridge and form rockgroups "Eclectic" though more memorably "Lolita Snatch" who went on to tour with "Subsist" and perform at major venues such as Cambridge's "The Junction", "Strawberry Fair" and London's "100 club".

In Newcastle 2006 Nick graduated with a BMus (Hons) Degree in Jazz, Popular and Commercial music and was invited to perform at Gateshead's"The Sage" for the "International Jazz Festival" with septet "The Fair Traders".

Nick has performed abroad and at various venues around London, Cambridge and the North East playing everything from rock, pop, funk, jazz & blues to classical music.

Tutoring Experience:

Nick has worked in a wide variety of educational roles including classroom music teacher, instrumental teacher, teaching assistant and has participated in various teacher training programs including the London metropolitan Universities PGCE music secondary.

He has been working for Croydon music and Arts services (CMA) for the past 7 years taking one-on-one, small groups and whole classes for guitar, keyboard and ukulele classes as part of the sound-start wider opportunities program. He also works as a band instructor at Croydon Centre for young musicians.

During his time at CMA he has completed the FMS standards (Federation of music services) program and was rated as an outstanding teacher during trinity guildhalls OU (CPD) music primary program. Nick is also a music medals assessor for the associated board for the royal school of music’s (ABRSM).

Nick recently qualified to teach English as a foreign Language and plans to complete QTS (Qualified teacher status) by teaching in secondary schools this coming academic year.

Tutoring Approach:

In teaching I think it is important to create a rich learning environment, we want a space that we can hear, see, feel and that creates an opportunity for interaction with others in new/different ways - promoting the development of confidence and self-expression.