Qualifications/awards

• PGDip Solo/ensemble recitalist, gained Distinction, Royal College of Music 2003
• BMus(Hons), gained Distinction for Final Recital, Royal College of Music 2001
• ABRSM Grade 8 Distinction Piano, 1993 (awarded Mossman prize for highest Grade 8 mark)
• ABRSM Grade 8 Distinction Violin, 1994
• ABRSM Grade 8 Distinction Theory, 1996
• GCSE and A level Music, A*
• BBC Young Musician of the Year, Semi-Finalist, 1996
• Recipient of Associated Board Scholarship (for undergrad study)
• Winner of four piano/chamber music prizes whilst at the Royal College of Music
• Winner of three prizes at Royal College of Music Junior Department
•  Up-to-date Safeguarding training and current CRB check

Teaching 

I have been teaching since 1999, and during that time I have taught many children of all ages and abilites, and many adults. I have worked as a peripatetic piano and violin teacher and accompanist in several schools, as well as private home tuition. I have run group classes for Grade 5 Theory, beginner violinists, piano duets, and currently coach a string chamber ensemble.

I teach both ABRSM and Guildhall exam syllabuses (including jazz grades) right up to Diploma level, with pupils often achieving Merit or Distinction. However, I fully recognise that for some making music is not about exams, and am happy to teach ‘off-syllabus’, choosing a teaching style and repertoire that is suited to the individual.

Schools

• Malvern St James (prep-18), 2014-present
• Steiner Academy Hereford (ages 6-16), 2014-present
• Wynstones School (kinder-19), 2014-present
• Frensham Heights School (ages 11-18), 2005-2013
• Fulham Prep School (ages 6-13), 2002-2013
• Glendower Prep School (ages 6-11), 2004-2013
• ‘Violin Club’, group learning for beginner violinists, Fulham 2010-2013
• ‘The Music House for Children’, 2000-2002

Performance 

As a professional pianist and chamber musician I have given recitals for Music Societies across the UK, and have performed in Germany, Holland and the Czech Republic. Notable London recital venues include Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room, Leighton House, Kensington Palace, St Martin-in-the-Fields and St James’, Piccadilly. I have collaborated with many different instrumentalists. My long-standing duo partnership with saxophonist John Barker was supported by the Kirckman Concert Society and a Countess of Munster award. Other diverse projects have included the world premieres of works by Anthony Payne and Ben Foskett, a contribution to Joanna MacGregor’s disc ‘Neural Circuits’, and the recording of music for “The Isle of the Dead”, a puppet production written and produced by Tim Garrett.

After reaching the BBC Young Musicians Semi-Finals aged 15, I was awarded an Associated Board scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music, where I took my degree and postgraduate diploma (gaining Distinction). During my time there I won several prizes, and was chosen to perform for HM The Queen. I studied with Emily Jeffrey, John Barstow and Niel Immelman, and was selected to participate in many masterclasses, most notably with Stephen Hough and Peter Katin.

I also enjoy taking music into the wider community, having given recitals and interactive performances in a variety of venues, from schools to hospitals and day care centres.

In my spare time I like doing crafty things! To find out more visit my other website: http://www.timsidford.com