My credentials
I am a fully qualified graduate piano teacher aged 47. I have been teaching privately full time since completing my music degree in 1999. I taught part time for six years before that, after gaining grade 8 piano at the age of 16, and then music A level. At the same time I worked as an accompanist for ABRSM graded exams.
I hold an honours degree, in which I specialised in piano and extensively studied advanced music theory, musicology, composition, harmonisation, advanced ear training, piano pedagogy, piano performance and much more.
I am a Fellow of The Independent Society of Musicians.
I am also an ISM registered private teacher. This means I have gone through the full vetting procedures by The Independent Society of Musicians, including verification of qualifications and references; and CRB checks. This also means I abide by a professional code of conduct.
I have completed the NSPCC child protection training course.
DBS checked - enhanced disclosure.
ICO registered.
I hold an honours degree, in which I specialised in piano and extensively studied advanced music theory, musicology, composition, harmonisation, advanced ear training, piano pedagogy, piano performance and much more.
I am a Fellow of The Independent Society of Musicians.
I am also an ISM registered private teacher. This means I have gone through the full vetting procedures by The Independent Society of Musicians, including verification of qualifications and references; and CRB checks. This also means I abide by a professional code of conduct.
I have completed the NSPCC child protection training course.
DBS checked - enhanced disclosure.
ICO registered.
My teaching
I specialise in private one to one tuition. I am based in Burnham on Crouch, Essex, UK; but I teach online worldwide. I teach both piano and music theory. With the increasing ease of use and accessibility of technology, more and more piano learners (and music theory students) are considering the benefits of long distance education, which has enabled me to teach pupils thousands of miles away from me and still develop the same personal connection as in traditional in-person lessons. I have had the fantastic privilege of providing personal tuition online to people in such diverse places as Sweden, Belgium, Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland, Egypt, Australia and the USA, to name just a few; as well as my own country - the UK. After many years of mainly teaching via home visits, I was amazed to discover how effective long distance teaching could be. Read more about my personal style of online tuition here: online piano lessons by video exchange, Skype lessons and music theory tuition by correspondence.
I adapt my teaching methods and lesson focus based on the individual pupil's strengths, weaknesses and preferences. I aim to make both piano and music theory lessons an enjoyable experience for the pupil, as well as educational.
My online piano lessons involve live video calls (e.g. via Skype, FaceTime or Zoom) or one-to-one video exchange. For video exchange lessons, the student sends me a video of themselves playing what they have practised for the week and I send a video and email response. Students record their progress at any time that is convenient for them, along with any questions. Alternatively students can email their questions. My video exchange students can read/watch my feedback and demonstrations and follow my instructions whenever they like, then send me their next lot of videos for feedback whenever they are ready. If you decide to try video exchange lessons, you can find them helpful for a variety of different needs - general guidance and momentum, preparing for exams, giving more structure to your self-learning, giving you a complete curriculum to follow etc. If there is something you're really struggling with and you can't figure out what's going wrong, or why, I'm here to help. Send me a video and I'll come up with solutions to try. By watching students' practice videos I give feedback, coaching and assessment on their playing just as I do during normal lessons. Read reviews and testimonials from some of my online students who have discovered how convenient and effective video exchange lessons are. You can also find testimonials about my teaching in general, including in-person lessons.
Learn for pleasure or take exams. I prepare students for all grades of ABRSM exams, and I have an excellent record of exam results. I cover every aspect of training for the exam syllabus. This includes aural tests (ear training); sight reading; scales, arpeggios and broken chords; and the pieces. I also teach people who just want to learn for pleasure.
All styles of music. I teach all styles of music, not just classical. Whether you want to focus on classical/ pop/ jazz/ folk etc, or you prefer to play a mixture of styles, I tailor the lessons to suit you.
Music theory included. I include music theory as part of the learning process because it is an important aspect of mastering any instrument, and I prepare students for ABRSM theory exams, as well as any other exam board, any grade. I am also happy to provide sessions or courses focused solely on music theory. I offer the option of online music theory lessons either by correspondence, or live video call (such as Skype, Zoom or FaceTime). My correspondence music theory lessons involve tuition by email; a marking service; and bespoke worksheets.
Both children and adults welcome. I teach children and adults, all ages are welcome, and I am very patient whether you are a complete beginner or advanced. Many adult learners find that my correspondence lessons suit them most, as they are much easier to fit into a busy schedule.
I love teaching music and I am dedicated to my work as a piano teacher. For me it is not just a supplement to my income as a musician, it is a rewarding career that I am totally focused on, and I continue to find fulfilling after so many years. I am still just as inspired by music as I was all those years ago when I first started teaching, and I am always excited to share that knowledge with old and new pupils alike.
I adapt my teaching methods and lesson focus based on the individual pupil's strengths, weaknesses and preferences. I aim to make both piano and music theory lessons an enjoyable experience for the pupil, as well as educational.
My online piano lessons involve live video calls (e.g. via Skype, FaceTime or Zoom) or one-to-one video exchange. For video exchange lessons, the student sends me a video of themselves playing what they have practised for the week and I send a video and email response. Students record their progress at any time that is convenient for them, along with any questions. Alternatively students can email their questions. My video exchange students can read/watch my feedback and demonstrations and follow my instructions whenever they like, then send me their next lot of videos for feedback whenever they are ready. If you decide to try video exchange lessons, you can find them helpful for a variety of different needs - general guidance and momentum, preparing for exams, giving more structure to your self-learning, giving you a complete curriculum to follow etc. If there is something you're really struggling with and you can't figure out what's going wrong, or why, I'm here to help. Send me a video and I'll come up with solutions to try. By watching students' practice videos I give feedback, coaching and assessment on their playing just as I do during normal lessons. Read reviews and testimonials from some of my online students who have discovered how convenient and effective video exchange lessons are. You can also find testimonials about my teaching in general, including in-person lessons.
Learn for pleasure or take exams. I prepare students for all grades of ABRSM exams, and I have an excellent record of exam results. I cover every aspect of training for the exam syllabus. This includes aural tests (ear training); sight reading; scales, arpeggios and broken chords; and the pieces. I also teach people who just want to learn for pleasure.
All styles of music. I teach all styles of music, not just classical. Whether you want to focus on classical/ pop/ jazz/ folk etc, or you prefer to play a mixture of styles, I tailor the lessons to suit you.
Music theory included. I include music theory as part of the learning process because it is an important aspect of mastering any instrument, and I prepare students for ABRSM theory exams, as well as any other exam board, any grade. I am also happy to provide sessions or courses focused solely on music theory. I offer the option of online music theory lessons either by correspondence, or live video call (such as Skype, Zoom or FaceTime). My correspondence music theory lessons involve tuition by email; a marking service; and bespoke worksheets.
Both children and adults welcome. I teach children and adults, all ages are welcome, and I am very patient whether you are a complete beginner or advanced. Many adult learners find that my correspondence lessons suit them most, as they are much easier to fit into a busy schedule.
I love teaching music and I am dedicated to my work as a piano teacher. For me it is not just a supplement to my income as a musician, it is a rewarding career that I am totally focused on, and I continue to find fulfilling after so many years. I am still just as inspired by music as I was all those years ago when I first started teaching, and I am always excited to share that knowledge with old and new pupils alike.
Services offered
- Music theory tuition online - for all exam boards including ABRSM and RIAM.
- Piano tuition online.
- Musical analysis to train for syllabus requirements for discussion (viva voce) part of LCM graded exams; as well as GCSE, A level and degree level musical analysis.
- Arrangement of public domain pieces to suit your level on the piano.
- Composition of bespoke studies and exercises for development of technique on the piano.
- Online tutorials.
This website
I have published many pages on this website including piano tutorials, articles, sheet music I have composed/arranged, and videos of my piano playing, as well as information about my teaching. I created this website to share some of my knowledge and passion about music as well as to showcase what I have to offer in terms of piano tuition.
Throughout most pages there are links to other pages that may be useful or relevant, and there are also useful links in the footer, so keep scrolling and enjoy exploring my website, and if you can't find what you're looking for use the site search box at the bottom of every page, or contact me.
Throughout most pages there are links to other pages that may be useful or relevant, and there are also useful links in the footer, so keep scrolling and enjoy exploring my website, and if you can't find what you're looking for use the site search box at the bottom of every page, or contact me.
Piano videos
Articles and tutorials
Sheet music and learning aids
Online piano tuition
Music theory courses
Musical analysis
My compositions
Reviews
Fees
Contact
I have never been so inspired or in love with the piano as I have been for the past few months whilst having lessons from Ruth. I am a returning adult learner learning through distance learning with Ruth. I have had in-person lessons with various other teachers in the past and honestly feel as though distance learning is so much more beneficial! Ruth is fantastic at explaining things via email and videos, you can tell she really does put a lot of time into things and never rushes her feedback. Not only do I strongly recommend Ruth as a piano teacher but I also strongly recommend distance learning as a method. I am hoping to soon start preparing for my grade 6 exam with Ruth and feel every confidence that she will be able to get me there!
Hayley
