Mary Michell - Teacher Profile

About Me

ABOUT ME

I studied Music at Trinity College of Music from 1985-1988. At college I studied piano with Wanda Jeziorska and horn with John Burden. I obtained my GTCL (hons) music degree and LTCL Horn diploma at Trinity. I was unable to take my piano diploma at that time, but I have returned to piano lessons and am currently working towards my Dip ABRSM (perf) diploma - and loving it! I qualified as a teacher with a PGCE in primary education and music in 1989 and have worked as a class teacher, and music teacher in primary schools in the UK and overseas. I have done varying amounts of piano and brass instrument teaching throughout my working life and now work self-employed as a music teacher, conductor and horn player. I also work as a tutor for a home education company - thus keeping up to date with school curricula etc! I hold a regularly updated DBS (Disclosing and Barring Service) certificate. I am a member of The Curious Piano Teachers network, which gives me regular Professional Development and helps me keep my piano teaching fresh, dynamic and up to date.

Qualifications

GTCL (hons), LTCL, PGCE

Contact Mary

Contact Details

Lincoln, Lincolnshire

Website: Musiclessonswithmary.co.uk

E-mail: Contact

Fees

£30.00 per hour

Looking for a Piano Teacher?

Bursaries

If you are looking for a piano teacher, you may be interested to know that EPTA UK teacher members have access to the John Bigg Bursary Fund. This provides grants for pupils who may be having difficulty paying for their piano lessons.

How to identify a good teacher

Good teachers can often be identified at local Music Festivals and other public events, or at pupils' concerts (see the EPTA UK magazine for piano teachers Piano Professional for details).

What to look for:

Qualifications. A recognised diploma (performers' or teachers') or a degree in which piano playing, or piano pedagogy features as a major component.
Experience and professional outlook. There should be evidence of performing as well as teaching experience, and of the teacher wishing to continue his/her own musical education, eg: attending masterclasses and/or courses.
Teachers should be able to convey their enthusiasm for music, impart artistic sensibilities, instill sound technical habits, develop reading and listening skills, develop memory and improvising skills, build up good practice habits, introduce a variety of musical styles, include duet and other ensemble playing, hold concerts periodically for pupils to play in, report regularly to parents on pupils' progress, assist with the preparation of candidates for school and other public examinations, offer advice for pupils wishing to take up a musical career.
They should prepare a written contract specifying the number of lessons per term and their length, fees and how they should be paid, period of notice required for termination of contract, procedure in the event of absence or illness of either party, any special terms and conditions they may wish to apply - eg: special practice requirements, and arrangements for the purchase of music and any other equipment needed.