Piano and singing lessons
Learning happens best when lessons are fun and when it’s clear how everything works together. We all have sensitivity to music (and indeed all the arts) and teaching at a pace that suits each individual is key to tuneful music-making. I show beginners that it’s easy to pick out their favourite tune on the piano and that they can play it – all the notes are there! Equally – new pianists and singers usually have a favourite song, singer, band or composer. Let’s start with that.
I can make a real difference to how you feel and perform and can help you produce your best in whatever music you would like or need to learn.
Piano for young learners The Poco Piano Studio Music books (by Margaret O’Sullivan and Ying Ying Ng) engage young children with their cheery illustrations, opportunities for colouring and great supply of stickers! Topics are broken into small sections and interestingly presented repetition shows how practical piano playing and music theory knit together. This is underpinned with sound music and teaching pedagogy including:
Technique - including posture and fingering
Musicianship
Rhythm
Aural development
Interpretation
Piano for older children and adults Older pupils learn about styles of music they love (e.g. blues, rock, folk) and for mature beginners there’s a wide range of tutors available. We’d use the one you think you’ll practice! The Microjazz series is especially rewarding. I also encourage playing by ear – you know more than you think.
Singing I have over forty years’ experience of singing as a choir member (and sometimes soloist) in local concerts, shows and Festivals. With four other singers, I’ve sung English Madrigals in Colchester’s Twin Town of Wetzlar (Germany) and been a soloist and chorister with a group singing in the Loire Valley in France. I’ve sung with the Colchester Bach Choir, Ipswich Chamber Choir and at the Suffolk Villages Festival and have performed original rock songs at the Colchester Arts Centre and at the Quay Theatre, Sudbury.
Lucia Fortunato about to sing 1950s hits at the Jubilee celebrations.
Exams
The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) provides a Prep Test leading to graded exams; Trinity College offers graded examinations too. You don’t have to start right at the beginning of the Grades and there are two types: the traditional exam, where you play pieces and scales for an examiner, and where there are Aural (listening) tests and sight-reading; or you can record four pieces or songs in an unedited ‘Recital’ and submit that instead. Both exam styles earn points towards University application via UCAS. Exams aren’t for everyone and learners who aren’t interested and excited by the thought shouldn’t be made to sit them. For those that have enough technical knowledge and are keen, the time to show what they can do in the wider world is an exciting moment! To date, all my pupils have passed their examinations, a Grade Eight Singing student recently gaining a Distinction.
Testimonials
Mandy has been the most wonderful singing teacher I could have asked for. She coached me through my Grade 8 singing exam and helped me achieve a Distinction! Singing lessons with Mandy were always a bright point in my weekly calendar. Mandy is approachable and kind and always has time for her students. I spent a year as Mandy’s pupil and the time flew by! Mandy not only gave me the resources and training I needed to pass the exam but she also helped me secure multiple performance opportunities. She is one in a million and a truly fantastic teacher.
Lucia Fortunato (Student, aged 18)
Thank you for your wonderful accompaniment of Charlie at the concert yesterday. He was very proud afterwards and was practising ‘Hot Cross Buns’ and his ‘Lullaby’ this morning. I’m amazed at how far Charlie has progressed in less than six months. Thank you for igniting such a love of music in him.
Charlie’s Mum (Charlie is 6 and is learning the piano)
‘When my guitar-playing son (who had never learned music theory) realised that Grade 5 Music Theory was an entry requirement for his chosen university, a friend suggested Mandy. After discussing his needs, Mandy assessed him and made her recommendation as to how she could help him to achieve his goals. He found the initial free lesson fun, informative and motivating.
Subsequently Mandy provided 45 minute weekly tutoring sessions tailored specifically to each stage he reached, welcoming him to her home at a time convenient to us. Mandy quickly built a rapport combining the right amount of friendly professionalism with a highly positive, encouraging teaching style. Her lessons were always enjoyable and he made progress at a rate that surprised and delighted us all. My son felt confident that he was appropriately prepared for his exams particularly because Mandy had given him the opportunity to continue learning at home between lessons. Thank you Mandy for setting him on the road to a successful university application and distinction at the end of his first year…’
Ashley’s Mum (Ashley is now a professional musician)
