Information About Stephen - Attleborough teacher - (3 reviews)
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This is how 3 referees rated Stephen:
Reliability
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Instruments Taught
Stephen offers a discount of 50% on their first / introductory lesson!
Guitar |
Hourly Fee |
| Beginner | £40.00 |
| Intermediate | £40.00 |
| Casual | £40.00 |
Singing |
Hourly Fee |
| Beginner | £40.00 |
| Intermediate | £40.00 |
| Casual | £40.00 |
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Personal Description:
Stephen offers vocal coaching and guitar and piano tuition from his base in Hingham, Norfolk and offers face-to-face tuition. He has a degree in Theology, specialising in music. He has been involved in the music profession for 20 years as an artist and producer, during which time he produced three solo albums of his own material. He has also had experience with studio recording principles using Logic Pro. He has toured the USA and Canada whilst playing in a band as lead singer and rhythm guitarist. He is now working in a new band as keyboard player. Stephen is also a published author under the pseudonym Ben C. Lawes. He is also Bible teaching elder at Amplify Church in Hardingham, Norfolk.
Tutoring Experience:
Stephen is experienced in teaching younger beginners but his unique style of encouragement and fun will appeal to all ages. He is also experienced in students with learning challenges such as AD/HD etc
Tutoring Approach:
Stephen's coaching will be individually based and person-centred.
He is passionate about ensuring that students enjoy music and no matter what standard you may be at, he will aim to bring out your best. To make this happen with singing he will concentrate initially on principles of posture, breath and tone. With playing guitar he aims to help you enjoy progress at your own pace without any pressure.
To ensure that your first lesson is the most productive, bring along some ideas for songs that you would like to cover. The first lesson, which will be at a reduced rate, will be an opportunity for him to get to know you and create a plan in order for you to fulfil your aspirations.
Tutor Resources: (free to download)
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Availability: Weekends / Weekdays (all times)
References Available: Yes (✔ On File)
Qualifications:
- Jesus of Nazareth Church International (2006) - Theology degree (spec. Music) (Bachelors) (✔ On File)
Stephen's Feedback
| Total Amount Of Feedback: | 3 |
| Total Positive Feedback: |
I'm sorry you have felt the need to leave this review even after I explained to you in person that your child's special needs were beyond my professional capabilities and expertise.
As for payment, I only charge half price for first lessons as these are a time for both of us to see if what I can offer is suitable for your child. You would have already known that a payment to First Tutors is necessary to obtain my details.
Also I'm not sure how you interpreted disgust as an expression. I was actually expressing concern because your younger child, who was not part of the lesson, was taken to our trampoline in our garden without my consent and I am not able to accept any responsibility for accident or injuries whilst teaching.
Your initial enquiry was for Maths tuition for your daughter. During our phone call, you also asked if I would take your son, for guitar tuition. I then agreed to meet you and your children to see if doing the two subjects would be feasible.
During the session, you also asked if your daughter could try out piano. I obliged and sat with her and went through some elementary exercises but it was apparent that she had little interest. I must also point out that she was getting distressed and wanted to join your toddler on my children's trampoline which was never part of the agreement, nor was it ever discussed as a possibility.
Your son was not easy to communicate with and, having re-assessed the situation, I contacted you to say that I felt that I did not have the professional skills needed to teach guitar to him. You offered no negative comments at the time.
I might add also that your husband spent most of the lesson wandering around in my garden with your youngest child, without asking permission, inspecting my children's pet rabbits and guinea pigs who were at a delicate stage of breeding and needed to be undisturbed.
My reply to you, immediately after the lesson, by text was as follows:
Dear Lesley,
It was a pleasure to meet your family today.
I've been giving serious thought to your situation and whether I can effectively offer what Hayley-Grace and Jerome both need.
I am primarily a teacher who has had some experience of children with special needs but I am not qualified in any way. With this in mind, I don't feel it would be right to charge you money for a skillset that I do not possess that you will almost certainly be better off finding elsewhere.
Hayley-Grace is a very bright girl, certainly way ahead of her peers and in all honesty is not at a place where she needs any extra tuition on maths.
I sincerely hope I am not disappointing you but I feel I have to be honest with you and your husband.
I hope you find a suitable tutor for Jerome – underneath I can tell he is a very sensitive young man.
Kindest regards,
Stephen .
Your reply was simply:
Thank you. Kindly send me your bank details for the payment.
I trust that this puts your mind at rest and that your review is unjustified.
Starting as a total beginner, i feel like i am improving with every lesson under his guidance. I thoroughly enjoy my lessons with him, his instructions are very clear and he is also very patient and attentive.
His passion for music really shines through! During my first lesson with him he asked me to name some of my favourite bands, and during my most recent lesson he started to teach me one of their songs, which i really appreciated a lot!
All in all, i'd thoroughly recommend Stephen as he is a fantastic tutor who really makes you feel at ease.
It's such a joy to watch students progress and I'm thrilled with the progress Ash has made in just a few lessons.
Keep up the good work and I look forward to continuing with you on your musical journey.