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About K Rachel W.
Rachel’s lessons are lively and imaginative, and designed to inspire pupils, whatever their age, standard, aptitude and ultimate aspirations. She weaves principles of music theory into lessons, to help students better understand the music they are playing, but she also encourages students to imagine stories or images that their music could be illustrating. Ensuring that lessons are fun and enjoyable means that students are more likely to engage with what they are learning, and be inspired to practise between lessons and explore music more widely. Nevertheless, three principles are at the root of lessons: ensuring that students play with correct technique; helping students to develop a beautiful tone; and enabling them to interpret their pieces musically.
For students who wish to prepare for exams, Rachel recommends ABRSM exams (in which she has an excellent record, mostly at Merit or Distinction level). However, many students have no wish to take exams and learn purely for personal enjoyment or to enable them to participate in local music ensembles.
The first lesson
This will of course vary depending on the age and musical experience of the student. However, Rachel will usually start by asking students about their musical experience, why they are learning the flute, what sorts of pieces they enjoy most and what their musical aspirations are. Assuming the student is not a complete beginner, Rachel will ask them to prepare in advance one or two pieces to play in the first lesson (if appropriate, preceded by a relevant scale to help the student warm up and become accustomed to the acoustic of the teaching room). This will help Rachel assess the student’s existing skill level, when they are playing a piece they know well; Rachel will then discuss with the student any suggestions for areas to focus on / possible repertoire to explore going forward. The first lesson for younger children will include some fun listening games as well!
Rachel’s experience as a teacher
Rachel has been teaching the flute for well over ten years. Current pupils range from age 8 – mature adults, and include beginners as well as Diploma candidates. Rachel teaches privately (mainly in her own home, but also in some students’ homes), as well as in three local independent schools. Rachel also offers online lessons (and actually increased her overall student numbers during the Covid lockdown!).
Rachel also offers specific tuition to prepare students for ABRSM grade 5 theory.
Rachel’s professional / performance background
Rachel was awarded a Distinction in her DipABRSM Teaching Diploma and also holds an LTCL Performance Diploma.
Rachel was principal flute in a professional wind ensemble for 14 years. In addition to playing in the ensemble’s concerts, she was a member of the team of players who developed interactive musical workshops for schools, hospitals and residential homes, working closely with children, the elderly and infirm to use music to stimulate and relax, and to improve the quality of participants’ lives. She continues to perform as often as possible and is currently Co-Principal with the Oxford Symphony Orchestra. Rachel is also a qualified solicitor and worked at a City law firm in London for six years.
If you might be interested in flute lessons with Rachel and would like to find out more, please send a message via the button on this profile.