Isabel

Music is an integral part of my life and I have been playing the violin and the piano from a young age. At school I was awarded a major music scholarship and led the first orchestra. In my penultimate year I was awarded the positions of Head of Orchestra and School Music Officer. I hold Grade 8 on the piano and a Diploma ABRSM on the violin. Throughout my school years I was involved in national youth orchestras, notably leading the National Schools` Symphony Orchestra and being awarded the Novello and the President`s Prizes as the leader of the National Schools` Orchestra. My piano trio was a finalist twice in the National Schools` Chamber Music Competition culminating in a concert at the Wigmore Hall. I played the Bruch Violin Concerto with my school orchestra in my final year. At Oxford I was keen to carry on with my orchestral playing and after my first term became the leader of the Oxford University Philharmonic Orchestra. I was also a member of the Oxford University Strings Ensemble with whom I travelled to Paris on tour. Through my music, I have learnt to become self disciplined and to balance my time between academic committments and my personal interests.

Aside from legal work experience, I have had several jobs over the past three years which have taught me the importance of excellent communication skills and self presentation. I have worked in the tourism industry as a cashier for a punting company, and as a customer assistant for Marks and Spencer. I have also worked as a waitress for Hotel du Vin. The work which I have enjoyed the most has been teaching the violin. I am a strings tutor and a member of the pastoral team for the Young National Schools` Symphony Orchestra and worked as a strings coach on Uppingham Summer School`s Music Week. Furthermore, I held a welfare position at a language summer school in Cambridge, which gave me responsibility for the discipline, accommodation and health of over a hundred 16-19 year olds.

I am very interested in travel, modern languages and charity work. In August 2011 I taught English in rural schools in Thailand, and in October-November 2013 I volunteered with African Impact on a medical and teaching project in Zambia. I also travelled to Zimbabwe where I worked in a game park for a lion rehabilitation project. These were rewarding and eye opening experiences, which enhanced my team work and communication skills, and required me to work under pressure in challenging situations. In my spare time I particularly enjoy reading and cooking.

I am looking to tutor students up to A Level standard in Latin and French up to GCSE in English, History and Music and any subject for 11+ or 13+. I am available for Oxbridge interview and personal statement help (especially in Law), verbal reasoning and LNAT practice and English as a foreign language tutoring. I can take students up to grade 8 standard on the violin, grade 5 standard on the piano, and music theory up to grade 5.

Availability: I am available and flexible to work in London starting straight away. Weekends and evenings are the most convenient times.

Willing to travel: 15 miles

Experience: In my A level year, I signed up for a Community Service project which required me to teach literacy skills to a class of 8 year olds at a local primary school. Some of the children had learning difficulties and so it required patience and flexibility, but I really enjoyed reading with them and helping them with their spelling. During my month in Thailand, my role was to teach English to classes of children from 6-16 years old. I had to plan lessons and try and keep the classes fun and of an appropriate standard. I was also responsible for organising and teaching their extra curricular activities. I have taught the violin from beginner to Grade 8 standard to students on the Young NSSO and Uppingham Music course. In Zambia, as well as my medical duties, I went into local schools in the afternoons and taught the children Maths, English and literacy as well as holding Art and HIV education classes. We also taught literacy and basic healthcare to adults.
I regularly help students with their Oxbridge applications. I read and review personal statements, offer mock interviews and advise people on how to practice for law admissions tests.