Date/Time
Date(s) - May 31, 2024
10:30 am - 5:00 pm
Do you struggle with certain repertoire, tone production, technique? Or, do you simply want to find new ways to lift the notes off the page and breathe more life into your music? If so, do join us for an insightful and inspirational piano masterclass at the beatiful Grand Passion Pianos showrooms in Fizrovia, London.
We have 30 and 45 minute sessions available for performers, and half or full day observer spaces. If you are performing then please do let us know your repertoire so that we can best allocate your tutor.
You can read more about Pianists and expert teachers Lorraine and Michael here:
Lorraine Augustine
“Lorraine is a committed musician who has an acute sense to colours of sound. Her communicative personality comes through on every phrase at the piano.”
Noriko Ogawa, International Concert Pianist
Guildhall School alumni Lorraine is the granddaughter of a Professional Pianist and grew up
surrounded by music, beginning formal piano lessons at a young age and knowing from thevery first lesson that playing the piano was the only thing she really wanted to do.
Lorraine went on to achieve Diplomas in Performance and Teaching and to study with Pianists such as Graham Fitch, Noriko Ogawa, Artur Pizarro and Leslie Howard and has a Post Graduate Certificate in Performance Teaching from Guildhall School and a Coaching and Mentoring qualification from Guildhall School and the European Mentoring and Coaching Council.
Lorraine is a regular Adjudicator for Piano Festivals and competitions including the annual Junior Clementi Competition.
As a solo performer Lorraine has performed extensively across the UK including a World Premier of S. G Pott’s Raymond Variations in London in 2015, and has appeared on television, radio and International Piano Magazine. Lorraine continues to perform regularly with upcoming recitals at venues and music societies across the UK.
Lorraine has been teaching piano at GSMD since 2014, initially a regular dep, joining the permanent staff in 2017, she also runs a busy private teaching practice in her studio in Bedford where she lives.
Lorraine is a Fellow member of the ISM and a full professional member of Epta, she is passionate about all aspects of piano teaching and performance.
“Lorraine Augustine is a passionate musician, totally devoted and committed to communicating her love for music to all who hear her play.”
Leslie Howard, International Concert Pianist
Dr Michael Low
Praised for his innovative approach and passionate insight into piano playing, Dr Michael Low’s teaching career in Asia and Africa has spanned almost a quarter of a century. Since 2013, Michael has built an ongoing international collaboration with eminent musicians as well as numerous music institutes in Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia and South Africa. This resulted in Michael working closely with the next generation of pianistic talent to improve their musical knowledge and performance. The success of Michael’s uniquely teaching approach to piano playing, which marries the musical and pianistic cultures of East and West, has expanded to further teaching engagements with future masterclasses scheduled in London, Indonesia, China and Malaysia.
As a performer, Michael made his debut performing Tchaikovsky’s B-flat-minor Piano Concerto in the 1999 Guildford International Music Festival as a winner of the concerto competition held by the University of Surrey. He has also been engaged to perform in high profile events such as the Penang Governor’s Birthday Gala Celebration Concert, South Africa’s celebrity weddings (most recently that of the former Miss Universe and Miss South Africa Demi-Leigh Nel Peters) as well as private performances for Pam Golding.
As a student, Michael studied piano with the current director of the BBC World Voice Programme, Richard Frostick, before enrolling as a member of London’s prestigious Centre For Young Musician where he studied piano with the international pedagogue Graham Fitch and composition with the famed English composer Julian Grant. He obtained his Honours at Surrey University under the tutelage of Clive Williamson before completing his Masters of Music whilst studying with Nils Franke and Niel Immelman. An International Scholarship brought Michael to Cape Town where he completed his Doctorate under the supervision of South African greatest living composer, Hendrik Hofmeyr. Michael has also worked with numerous eminent teachers and pianists including, Nina Svetlanova, Frank Heneghan, James Gibb, Phillip Fowke, Renna Kellaway, Carolina Oltsmann, Florian Uhlig, Gordon Fergus Thompson, Francois du Toit and Helena van Heerden.