Experienced, versatile piano teacher
based in North London
About Me…
WHO AM I?
My name is Will and I'm a piano teacher and musician based in North London with over 20 years of professional experience in music.
I teach students of all ages, abilities and walks of life from the local area, including Haringay, Crouch End, Tottenham, Bruce Grove, St Ann’s, Stoke Newington, Highgate, Green Lanes, Highbury and Muswell Hill.
Whether you are an experienced pianist, a total beginner, or somewhere in between - I would love to support you on your musical journey.
METHOD
WE’LL STAY TRUE TO YOUR PASSION:
I teach above all to spark and nurture your joy for making music. I want to make sure that you are learning music that you love, noticing your progress, and having fun.
WE’LL COME UP WITH A PLAN:
I’m a thoughtful, patient teacher. I listen with care to your motivations, ambitions and musical taste. We’ll work together to come up with your own unique blueprint for learning.
WE’LL APPROACH CHALLENGES WITH CURIOSITY:
Everyone learns differently, and everyone faces different challenges that might hold them back. We’ll explore these challenges together and work out how to tackle them. Whether it’s technique, theory, performance anxiety, or limited practice time - we’ll work it out together.
I strive to create a relaxed environment, and to reduce the pressure and tension that can come from goal-oriented work.
If we look after the process, then the outcome will take care of itself.
WE’LL EXPLORE THE WIDE MUSICAL WORLD:
All-round musicianship is a really important part of learning any instrument, and with your approval our lessons together may include elements of theory, technique, sight-reading, listening skills, musical history, improvisation and harmony. These skills will not only help your playing, but will help to deepen your understanding of music as a whole.
View the booking options and online booking calendar:
BIOGRAPHY
I've been involved in music most of my life. From the age of 8 I sang as a chorister at Ely Cathedral, and went on to study Music at Cambridge University and obtained a Licentiate Diploma in Piano Performance from the Royal Schools of Music.
After studying I went to live in Berlin, teaching piano and working as a rehearsal pianist for choirs including Opus Vocale and The Berlin Radio Choir. I was lucky enough to work under esteemed conductors Sir Simon Rattle and Simon Halsey.
In 2016 I moved to North London and have been living there ever since. As well as my teaching practice, I work as a music director and accompanist for various community choirs in the city including The Royal Opera House Community Chorus, Clerkenwell Community Choir, London Phoenix Choir and The Hackney Festival Chorus.
I'm also active as a composer-arranger and have written string arrangements for a number of bands and artists including Mercury Prize winners alt-J, David Gilmour and Madness. I'm proud to have been a part of two number one records. I've also orchestrated numerous film and tv scores including Tin Star, Ocean’s Eight and BAFTA-nominated Blue Jean.
In my free time I love the cinema, reading, going on long walks with friends, and being a part of my local community.
MY MAIN QUALIFICATIONS:
• Licentiate Diploma in Piano Performance (Royal Schools of Music)
• MA in Music from University of Cambridge
Lessons
Beginner
You are truly never too old to learn the piano, and if you’ve been thinking about it for a while I encourage you to come for a lesson to try it out.
In your first lesson we can discuss your aspirations and musical interests. I can show you how the piano ‘works’ and show you how to find your way around the keyboard. We can even start reading music and playing some simple tunes.
Everything will happen at your own pace, in a fun, non-judgemental environment.
Returner
It’s incredibly common for adults to regret ‘giving up’ an instrument that they played as a child. Personally, I regret giving up the violin when I was 13!
If you are thinking about returning to the piano after some years away I encourage you to let go of any feelings of regret and think about what an exciting thing it could be to re-discover it again!
In my experience, you will probably remember much more than you expect, and you’ll be back in the swing of things in no time.
Intermediate
I encourage advanced pianists to write to me so we can discuss how you might like to work together. This may include:
detailed work on musical interpretation, including harmonic, structural and historical analysis of the work
detailed work on sonority, balance and line
advanced technical exercises e.g for pedalling, rapid fingerwork and large leaps
assistance with repertoire selection
varied techniques for practice
techniques for dealing with performance anxiety and nerves
Advanced
If you play the piano already to a decent level you might consider yourself an intermediate. This is a very broad category filled with a variety of different goals and ability levels.
Maybe you’ve done a few grades already?
Maybe you have been learning by yourself and want a bit of support to take things a bit further?
Maybe you are a songwriter who is pretty handy with chords but could use some help with a bit of technique?
Maybe you’ve got one piece you’ve always wanted to learn but it’s a bit daunting to tackle it alone?
Whatever it is, you’re looking to take things on to the next level.
FAQs
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If you are ready to get started, go ahead and book a lesson using my calendar below - or send me an email and we can book you in that way.
If you want to get in touch before booking you are welcome to email me and we can discuss ask any questions that you might have.
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I teach at my home address -
13 Abbotsford Avenue N15 3BT.I’m about a fifteen minute walk from either Turnpike Lane Station (Picadilly Line) or Seven Sisters Station (Victoria Line.
We are also a fifteen-minute walk from Green Lanes Overground (Suffragette Line) and Seven Sisters Overground (Weaver Line).
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I charge £50 for a fifty minute lesson.
An initial introductory lesson will be £60 and last for sixty minutes.
For young learners I offer twenty-five minute lessons for £25.
An initial introductory lesson for young learners will be £30 and last for thirty minutes
I do offer some low-rate sessions for those on low or no income. If you are interested in those please get in touch.
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In your first lesson we’ll have a chat and get to know each other a bit. In particular I’d love to talk to you about music that you love, what draws you to the piano, and any experience you may have had with the piano or other instruments before.
Then we can get to know the piano’s anatomy, get familiar with the keyboard layout and start playing some notes. Before you know it we’ll be playing a few tunes and coming up with things to practice for next time.
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You can cancel a lesson through my calendar (there is a link to cancel within your initial email confirmation).
Or you can cancel by emailing me directly using the form below.
In either case, twenty-four hours notice is required.
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Yes and no!
I think there is certainly some value to online lessons, but real life lessons are much more beneficial in my opinion.
In some cases I will agree to online lessons - usually if I’ve already been working with you for some time.
I’m happy to discuss this on a case-by-case basis.
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I’m a classically-trained pianist but I have a really broad musical training, and have always loved lots of different musical genres.
I’m very happy to explore any music you are interested in learning, and love discovering new music through my students.