Amy

Professional musician (bassoon/piano). Has taught for Junior Royal College of Music, British Double Reed Society, Musicians` Company, Uppingham School, and Triborough Music Hub. London/Online Lessons


Amy is a Musicians` Company Lambert Scholar at the Royal College of Music in London. Amy is also a current participant of the ENO Evolve Scheme.

As a soloist, Amy performs regularly for the British Double Reed Society, as well as leading ensembles and lessons at their Park Place courses. Amy has also been active in promoting new music, including the world premiere of a work for unaccompanied bassoon at the National Portrait Gallery (composed by Andrew Mulhern). In 2016, Amy was an Artist in Residence at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, working with Anna Meredith to compose and perform music for the opening of Wonder Materials: Graphene and Beyond. In 2014, she performed Bach’s G minor Harpsichord Concerto as soloist with members of the Berkeley Ensemble, and has appeared with Blackburn Symphony Orchestra. Amy has also given multiple recitals at the Lansdowne Club, London, and at the International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Manchester, alongside bassist Leon Bosch. This year, she will be performing at the Investec International Music Festival in a series also featuring Jess Gillam and the Tallis Scholars (subject to coronavirus restrictions).

Amy’s orchestral work includes performances with the Brandenburg Sinfonia, John Lewis Partnership Music Society, and St Paul’s Sinfonia. Amy is a passionate chamber musician, and recently recorded bassoon quartets for Hyperion Records with Laurence Perkins. In addition to this, Amy is a member of the Tailleferre Ensemble, whose concerts aim to promote the work of female composers, including a performance celebrating International Women`s Day at the Conway Hall and, in April 2021, a tour of Florida in collaboration with the South Florida Chamber Ensemble.

Over lockdown, Amy set up a series of Zoom sessions for bassoonists. These have included masterclasses with Ursula Leveaux (freelance with most major UK orchestras), Jos de Lange (Concertgebouw), Sophie Dervaux (Berlin Philharmonic), and Nikolaj Henriques (CBSO).

Amy is a dedicated and enthusiastic teacher. She has worked with students at Junior RCM, Uppingham School, the Triborough Music Hub, British Double Reed Society, and the Musicians’ Company. She is comfortable teaching students of all ages, but is known for being especially good with children, having set up and run a youth orchestra for primary-age students. In her spare time, Amy enjoys making and selling scented bassoon reeds, playing a brightly coloured cello, and outdoor swimming.

Amy would like to thank her current and previous bassoon teachers; Martin Gatt, Roberto Giaccaglia, Joost Bosdijk, Emily Hultmark, Sarah Burnett, Julie Price, Rebekah Abramski and Catherine Scott.

Willing to travel: 4 miles

Experience: I teach:

-Piano
-Bassoon
-Theory
-Chamber music
-Reed-making
-Musicianship

My overriding goal when teaching is that students enjoy the lesson and general musical experience, whether that be through a challenge outside of their comfort zone, or through broader musical appreciation. I focus on practice technique more than many teachers; I will only be with a student for one hour (or so) per week, meaning that the student`s own hours of practice form the majority of time spent with an instrument. I therefore place strong emphasis on students learning how they can evaluate and improve their own playing, and use me for help with trickier problems.

I am a dedicated and enthusiastic teacher. I have worked with students at Junior RCM, Uppingham School, the Triborough Music Hub, British Double Reed Society, and the Musicians’ Company. I am comfortable teaching students of all ages, but am known for being especially good with children, having set up and run a youth orchestra for primary-age students.

As a pianist, I studied with Renna Kellaway MBE and Fenella Howarth-Head. I have both individual and group teaching experience, and work as an accompanist, including with Leon Bosch at the International Anthony Burgess Foundation.