James

I first taught instrumental lessons when I was still at school. I completed my grades at a young age so was able to pass on the expertise I'd benefitted to others. Having finished my PGCE year in music, I knew I wanted to teach 1 on 1, to be able to focus on a single person's development closely, and put my creativity into creating a bespoke learning program that isn't tied down to what a school chooses to do every year.

Well, let's start with what others have said. I was offered a job by the head of music at my first placement school on my PGCE within a week because I "just get it". When I left, the music technician said I was the best PGCE student they'd ever had.

In my second placement, I was told I was well beyond the level of a PGCE student, and was one of the two top students selected by the university for external examination a.k.a to show off. This is for the university ranked 1st in the world for teaching (ahead of Harvard). After observing my teaching, I was told by the assistant headteacher that I was "exactly the kind of teacher they would be looking for", and by the head of music that "you wouldn't guess that you were a student teacher".

This is after learning musical instruments since the age of 7, achieving Grade 8 distinction in all three, before achieving a first at the top music university at the time, Manchester. I have sung in choirs, barbershop, solo and jazz. I have played trombone in small and big jazz bands, orchestras and musical theatre, both paid and unpaid. I have sung in a choir with Hans Zimmer on his World Tour, played Chopin's C Minor Nocturne off by heart to 500 people at 24 hours notice, and performed Harrison Birtwhistle's Silbury Air to the composer himself for his 80th birthday. (If you're interested, I can also teach you how to rap - my final essay at university was on Public Enemy, the first political hip hop group)!

Back to teaching. The central factor that has been repeated to me throughout my training is that I understand people: how to communicate, how to explain complex ideas, and how to make them feel comfortable.

I know how to adapt to the person in front of me, and have been able to do it when there have been 16 or 32 people in front of me, even those who don't care very much initially. To adapt, I listen. What do you want to learn? Why do you think you can't do that? Okay, let's start with what you can do. Some people need more instruction, some people need more room to breath. Some students needed a telling off, others needed an arm round the shoulder. Whatever it is, I have a natural ability to translate that into effective teaching, and there are few things in the world that I enjoy doing more.

Every student can succeed, and I throw my all into ensuring that happens.

Yes. I am less experienced in this but I am very tech savvy and would be more than happy to teach online. I would strongly advise piano and trombone lessons in person due to the specifics of physical technique, but I am happy to give it a shot!

The front living room of my house has a huge bay window that can be opened to allow adequate airflow.