Paul

Throughout my career I have taught piano, singing, music theory, and composition to musicians of all ages, ranging in experience from absolute beginner to degree level; I have also prepared many successful candidates for ABRSM, TCL, and LCM exams, as well as for Common Entrance scholarships, GCSEs, IB, and university degrees. I teach individuals and groups, both online and in person; I am also DBS-checked and a member of the Musician’s Union.

I have a BA in Music from Worcester College, Oxford, and an MMus and LRAM from the Royal Academy of Music; I am now Director of Chapel Music at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, and musical director of numerous choral societies and chamber choirs. I also regularly conduct London Contemporary Voices, which has involved performances at the BBC Proms, Queen Elizabeth Hall, and Glastonbury, as well as collaborating with musicians ranging from Imogen Heap and Nitin Sawhney to U2 and Andrea Bocelli.

As a composer, my music has been recorded on the Naxos and Convivium labels, broadcast on BBC Radios 2, 3, and 4, and performed across the UK; highlights include premieres by Salisbury Cathedral Choir, the Choir of Selwyn College, Cambridge, and the Choir of St Martin-in-the-Fields.

Willing to travel: 30 miles

Experience: I currently teach undergraduates at the University of Oxford, and have an extensive private teaching practice both for adults and children. I have particular interests in working with adult amateur singers, especially in the context of choral music, and in instrumental teaching at school-age; after working in a large state comprehensive secondary school for several years, I worked subsequently at a boarding school and now teach at a day preparatory school.

I believe firmly in the importance of giving students engaging and focussed lessons in their chosen area of study, while also taking a holistic approach to their all-round musicianship. Whatever the age or experience of a student – and whether they are preparing for an exam or learning for pleasure – I have a track record of providing sessions tailored to their needs, and I relish the challenge and variety of working with musicians from complete beginner- to degree-level.

At the start of the process, together with the student I establish their current level of experience and where they might like to get to; we then agree on the objectives for our lessons together, so we can keep track of our progress. Assessments or exams can be useful ‘milestones’ for some students, providing an aim to work towards and a mark of achievement, while other students might be interested in a more discursive approach. In the end, though, how we decide to measure progress doesn’t matter so much; the main thing is just to get started!

I’ll look forward to hearing from you soon, and if you have any questions please do get in touch.