By only working with quality, professional music teachers, we can guarantee the highest standard of music education.
About Sarah F.
Sarah teaches in Birmingham from her home (B30) or online and teaches on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Sarah has 15 years of teaching experience teaching privately, working for music services and schools, and creative music projects. She also works as an artist and art teacher delivering workshops to adults and children. She has several years of experience working with young people and adults with additional needs and she really enjoys the creativity involved in tailoring lessons to individuals to best suit them.
Sarah graduated from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire with a Masters in Instrumental studies (violin), and Birmingham School of Art with a BA Fine Art (Hons). Sarah believes strongly in a creative and flexible approach to instrument learning, incorporating the individual student’s interests, goals and unique learning styles, and she encourages students to find and follow their own musical interests.
Teaching Violin and Viola
Sarah teaches Violin and Viola from beginners to advanced students of any age. If students wish to take grade exams Sarah can take students through ABRSM and Trinity syllabuses, although there is no pressure to take any exams if the student doesn’t want to! Sarah will teach fundamentals such as good posture, technique, tone production and tuning, connecting these to expressive and creative building blocks such as musical understanding, ear training, scales/modes/finger patterns, improvisation and composition if the student finds these interesting.
Sarah also teaches beginner piano (up to grade 3) and Music Theory (up to grade 5).
Genre
Sarah specialises in Classical, folk and contemporary music, being a regular performer of all 3 genres.
First Lesson
First lessons will vary depending on the age and ability of the student, however every first lesson will begin by getting to know the student, their aims, interests, commitments and existing musical understanding. After this the lesson will include some work on the instrument, whether playing a piece, or simply learning to hold the instrument and make a sound and would usually include some playing from Sarah to help the student hear what they are aiming towards. The goal of the first lesson is have the student leaving feeling excited about what they are about to be able to do!
Beginners
Beginners should ideally have their own instrument, although it is possible to borrow one during the lesson as a trial (full size violin only). Nothing else is necessary - books and worknotes will be made during the first lesson and can be bought after consideration and advice from Sarah, unless the student already has some. Learning an instrument is really rewarding, but can also be tricky and working outside your comfort zone can feel intimidating - please don’t worry! There are no expectations of ability or musical knowledge; everyone can learn an instrument and everyone, no matter how talented, has to start from the beginning so lessons will always start with the very basics and work upwards.