London

Polly

(9 reviews)

Jeff

« I was always too nervous to start singing lessons until I bit the... More »

Jeff

« I was always too nervous to start singing lessons until I bit the bullet and called Polly. I'm so glad I did! The quality of her singing teaching is second to none. I even managed to sing in front of a big band at my wedding, a life long dream for me – all thanks to her expert mentoring and teaching. She's immensely knowledgeable, uncompromising and fun. I felt I came on leaps and bounds under her tutorage. Thanks so much Polly »

£45^/h

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Lessons offered by Polly

Individual
In group

The lessons will be held

at her home
at your home
By webcam

Taught subjects

Ukcat

Levels

All Levels

GCSE, A Level and Degree Level Music lessons in Holborn with composer with MPhil in Acoustic Composition

Methodology

The best music lessons you'll ever have! Highly qualified, experienced & friendly teacher in Holborn. My methods achieve great results every time.
Learn for fun or to further your career. Beginners & professionals welcome.

- Which subject(s) do you teach?

All styles and levels. Classical, jazz, soul, pop and rock.
Associated Board grades 1 - 8 or Rock School exams.
Piano - learn on a lovely acoustic piano.
Singing - improve your tone, support & technique.
Songwriting - improve your lyrics, express your creativity
Cello - learn to make a beautiful sound.
Music Theory and aural training.
Composition, GCSE and A Level Music using Sibelius.

- Tell me about your qualifications.

BA in Performance Arts
MMus in Composition
MPhil in Composition
Grade 8 Cello and Piano
Teaching qualifications (PTTLS & CTTLS)

- How much do you charge?

Discounts available if you book 3 or more lessons in advance. One off lessons cost £48 per hour, and £35 for a one-off half hour lesson.
Discounted lessons to be paid in advance.
Piano lessons for children are booked for and paid for a term in advance at £35 for 1/2 hour and £45 for 1 hour lessons.

- Where do you teach?

I teach from my studio conveniently situated near Chancery Lane tube station (Central Line) or Farringdon tube/BR station (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan Line) in Central London. I have a lovely acoustic piano that I use to accompany my singing and cello students, and that my piano students enjoy playing on. I also have a large library of music of all genres and styles for you to choose from. Singers can use my P.A system to practice their microphone technique.

- When are you available?

Peak times (4.30pm - 9pm) weekdays get busy so you will to book a week in advance.
I have more flexible availability during weekdays.

- Which ages and levels do you teach?

A wide range of ages and abilities - from children to pensioners - beginners to professionals!

- Which qualifications do you prepare your students for?

Degree level music
A level music
GCSE music
Associated board exams Grade 1- 8: music theory, singing, piano, cello
Rock School - singing and piano - all grades.

- Describe your arrangements for online tutoring.

Contact me with your songwriting, theory or composition queries and I will offer you easy to follow, practical advice and solutions. I can mark your theory papers and suggest compositional techniques if you send me your sibelius files.

- Do you have a personal message for students?

My students tell me that they learn more in 1 hour with me than months with other teachers! My many years experience as a teacher & performer enable me to help students achieve success with easy to follow, effective techniques.
I guarantee the best tuition with the best results every time with lots of encouragement.
Singers gain confidence & a fabulous vocal tone in any style.
Songwriters can improve their songwriting and record a demo in my studio.
Pianists and cellists can learn from scratch in any style they choose, or brush up their technique if returning to play after a few years.
Read my testimonials from my students!

Experience

- What kind of experience do you have?

I am a professional jazz singer & pianist, cellist, and a choral conductor, composer and musical director. I have been a self employed private music tutor since 1996.
I have performed on 'Top of the Pops', and at top music venues such as The Royal Festival Hall and The Barbican. My music has been played on TV, radio, in theatrical and dance productions and at contemporary music festivals.
My students have included celebrities such as Joss Stone and sports presenter Gabbi Logan and I coach students to successfully pass auditions for West End musicals and theatre schools.
I have taught at The City Lit adult education institute in Central London since 2007.
I was Head of Centre for The Centre for Young Musicians (Kensington & Chelsea) from 2006 - 2009. I have a current DBS check.

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

Yes.

- Where and with whom did you train?

For my BA in Performance Arts I trained at Trent Park, Middlesex University.
I studied for my MPhil and MMus in composition with Roger Redgate at Goldsmiths College, London University.
I studied for my teaching qualifications for adult learners at City Lit in 2011.

- Do you belong to any professional organisations?

The Association of Teachers of Singing
The Performing Rights Society
The Institute for Learning

- Tell me about some of your current students.

I currently teach adults at The City Lit adult education institute in Central London: songwriting, cello, music theory & composition.
My private students range in age from 6 to 82! My students live locally or travel across London for lessons, many on their way back home from work.
I have taught children in many London music services such as Lambeth, Hackney, & Haringey, and I was Head of Centre for the Centre for Young Musicians (Kensington & Chelsea) from 2006-2009.
From 2013 - 2016 I taught singing, cello, piano and orchestra at The Ursuline Academy in Ilford.

Rates

Rate for online lessons : £45/h

Rate for 5 hours of lessons : £220

Rate for 10 hours of lessons : £440

Details

Half hour lessons cost £30.

Lessons offered by Polly

Individual

In group

The lessons will be held

at her home

at your home

webcam

Taught subjects

Ukcat

Levels

All Levels

Polly's CV

• BA Honours in Performance Arts, Mmus in Acoustic Composition
• Mphil in Acoustic Composition
• Current DBS Check
• The Association of Teachers of Singing, The Performing Rights Society

9 reviews on Polly

5/5

All our ratings are collected by us and are given in confidence, they correspond to a real experience.

9 recommendations

Jeff

I was always too nervous to start singing lessons until I bit the bullet and called Polly. I'm so glad I did! The quality of her singing teaching is second to none. I even managed to sing in front of a big band at my wedding, a life long dream for me – all thanks to her expert mentoring and teaching. She's immensely knowledgeable, uncompromising and fun. I felt I came on leaps and bounds under her tutorage. Thanks so much Polly

Laura

Polly is a fantastic tutor and my jazz piano playing has moved on a lot in my time with her. As someone who is classically trained, I've always found jazz and improvisation tricky. Polly bridges the gap between these styles and has lots of tricks and techniques up her sleeve that have helped me along the way. She is also a super lovely and supportive person. Highly recommended!

Scott

Having looked online for jazz piano lessons close to my office I found Polly. She's helped me to break out of the musical rut I have been stuck in and my playing is now much more fluid. She has opened me up to new horizons after playing and writing the same thing for 30 years.

Clare

Polly is a great singing teacher. She knows when to correct and when to compliment and we always have a laugh'.

Paul

Polly brings her considerable performing talent, flair and musical experience into the lesson environment and over the years she has helped me greatly in terms of both vocal production and performance skills'.

Michelle

Polly taught me for several years while I was living in London. She helped me immensely – building up my confidence after a long spell of not singing. She is very knowledgeable and improved my technique, as well as being incredibly supportive. I found my lessons really enjoyable and was sad to stop training with Polly when I moved out of London'.

Alice

When I first went to see Polly there were a lot of things I didn't like about my voice but I didn't know what I was doing wrong or how to change my technique. She immediately pinpointed the parts of my voice that sounded weaker, and helped me to understand where I was going wrong. Her support and encouragement helped give me the confidence to perform on stage, record with other producers and eventually to release my own songs.

Katriona

Having had trial lessons with a number of piano teachers, I can confidently say Polly is the best! I am not the most gifted of pianists, however Polly is very patient and lessons are always lots of fun'.

Frances

Let's face it, learning to play the piano is never going to be easy but a lesson with Polly makes it easier. She greets me each week with a smile and enthusiasm and has great patience. When choosing a teacher you don't just want someone who can teach but someone who inspires you to learn. Polly Hewett is exactly that'.

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