Information About Timothy - Lifton teacher -

(3 reviews)

Personal Description:

I started learning with my father, in devon, when I was 7 years old (in 1982). After that I continued studies throughout my schooling in cello and flute, studying cello with Muriel Daniels, Jo Koos, Joelly Koos and Natella Zakharian and Ildefonso Zedillo. While at Southampton University I had the opportunity to participate in the performance studies units of the music degree, passing in cello and flute. In 2000 I started getting involved in music in Mexico where I played cello professionally from 2000 until 2010 in ‘El Orquesta Filarmonica del Estado del Queretaro’. Performances were varied, playing in concerts all around Mexico as well as on national **Contact Detail Removed**vision and in the Phantom of the Opera in Mexico City and on tour to Europe. During this time I was also involved in chamber music and teaching both privately and in ‘El Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro’. On returning to England I trained as a Suzuki teacher under the tutelage of Angela East. At present I teach privately in Devon and am a level 3 certified suzuki teacher. I am also studying with the British kodaly association to work towards a qualification in kodaly method.

Tutoring Experience:

I have been teaching for over 15 years, both privately and in the Autonomous University of Querétaro in Mexico, for students aged 5 to adult.

Tutoring Approach:

A level 3 suzuki qualified cello teacher, I base my teaching on the suzuki repertoire, and am happy to include grades if desired. Although designed with small children in mind I find the suzuki method can be tailored to work well with all ages. I place a really strong emphasis on developing the most natural technique based on perfect body use. Adult students will be encouraged to analyse their own body use in relation to cello playing (and everything else). Children will be guided in developing a natural technique, thereby avoiding the dreaded ´relearning´ process when older. Music skills are encouraged through singing based on ghe kodaly methods use of movable do solfa, which really engrains musical understanding and aural skills.

I also teach beginner double bass using the ´George Vance Method´ which gets students using the whole instrument right from the very beginning with positions based on the main harmonics of the instruments. This gets students reading in bass and treble clef right from the start.

After many years of working by the ¨traditional¨ approach I have discovered the amazing constructive philosophy of the Suzuki method. This method is also know as the ¨Mother Tongue¨ method for it´s method of instruction. The Suzuki method works on the idea of ¨talent education¨, where there is no such thing as an untalented person… everyone can learn given the right circumstances. Learning is likened to tending a tree. Much emphasis is placed on the care of the ¨soil and the roots¨ in the teaching of good technique right from the start. This allows a ¨flowering¨ of the playing with such a thorough grounding. I like to use the Suzuki repertoire which provides a very complete set of graded teaching points which run one to the other, from the most ¨basic¨ twinkle twinkle (actually remarkably complicated) to advanced playing of concertos and other repertoire pieces.
I will take students from 4 years old up to adult. With younger pupils, especially, it is essential to have strong support from parents or guardians who would be expected to be present in classes, learn the basics and act as the ´home teacher´. Don´t worry, previous experience in music is not necessary and all guidance will be given. Classes are individual on a one to one basis, however I will be organising groups for group playing, another important aspect of the Suzuki method. I am a member of the British Suzuki Institute.
Teaching to adults, although slightly different in it´s approach, still uses the same points and same repertoire. I am happy to take any aged students from 4 to 400 … :)
The price I offer may vary depending on the distance travelled and number of students (to cover travel costs and time). Price quoted is for classes at my home. For younger children individual classes will last 30 minutes (costing 19 pounds).
Thank you and I look forward to meeting you.