Joe - Walthamstow - Organ

Methodology

As a teacher it is important to have an infectious enthusiasm for the music you are teaching. I hope to be able to share this with pupils of all ages and abilities, on whichever instrument they choose to learn!

- Which subject(s) do you teach?

I teach piano and organ primarily, as well as harpsichord/continuo (including chamber organ). I am also able to give theory lessons for the ABRSM exam requirements as well as teaching aural musicianship for the practical exams.

- Tell me about your qualifications.

I completed my BMus (Hons) degree course at Birmingham Conservatoire in 2012 and am a prize-winning holder of the ARCO diploma from the Royal College of Organists. I am now studying for a Masters (MMus) at the Royal Academy of Music.

- How much do you charge?

£35 an hour. Theory lessons are £30 an hour. Feel free to contact me to discus prices for shorter lessons!

- Where do you teach?

Teaching can take place wherever is most convenient for students. This usually involves me travelling to you but, in the case of organ teaching for example, a mutually convenient location will need to be found.

- When are you available?

I can be flexible - please contact me to discuss options!

- Which ages and levels do you teach?

I teach all ages. For organ pupils it is often the case that the student has experience of playing the piano first, though this is not necessarily a requirement!

- Which qualifications do you prepare your students for?

ABRSM exams give an unbeatable framework for musicians though I am happy to guide pupils in whichever direction they would like to go! Some people want lessons purely for pleasure - exams are not a necessity!

Experience

- What kind of experience do you have?

I am currently a student of the Royal Academy of Music, studying harpsichord with Carole Cerasi and continuo with Terrence Charlston. Prior to this I studied organ at Birmingham Conservatoire under Henry Fairs, from where I graduated in 2012 with a first-class honours degree. My studies led me to take part in masterclasses all round Europe with such musicians such as Jacques van Oortmessern, Bine Bryndorf, David Sanger and Daniel Moult. I have also studied choral conducting with Paul Spicer and improvisation Ronny Krippner. In my final year at the Conservatoire I was awarded the John Campbell Keyboard Prize for achievement within the Keyboard Department.

I have performed widely as a continuo player; previous performances have included Messiah with Ex Cathedra/Jeffrey Skidmore at Symphony Hall, Birmingham; concerts with the Royal Academy of Music Baroque Soloists at Wigmore Hall and at the Tivoli Gardens Concert Hall, Copenhagen as part of the Tivoli Festival with Rachel Podger; the English Symphony Orchestra; the Royal Academy of Music Baroque Orchestra with Laurence Cummings and the RAM/Kohn Foundation Bach Cantatas series. Also active as an organist I have been involved with several premier recordings of new works, including music by Jonathan Dove and a disc of music by American composer Carson Cooman, released in August 2014, as well as solo performances such as Poulenc's Organ Concerto with Birmingham Festival Orchestra. I'm a prize winning holder of the Associateship Diploma from the Royal College of Organists.

Aside from keyboard instruments I often work as a countertenor. I was a member of Genesis Sixteen – The Sixteen's young artists programme – and held a choral scholarship at Birmingham Cathedral while a student there. Experienced as a consort singer, singing regularly with Birmingham based Ex Cathedra, I often perform as a soloist, too. Recent performances have included Bach's Lutheran Mass and Cantata 131 with the Music & Amicable Society and Messiah with Solihull Choral Society.

- Do you have an up-to-date DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service, formerly CRB) Certificate?

Yes.

- Do you belong to any professional organisations?

Royal College of Organists