From my studio in Longwood, Huddersfield.

I will hear you play, or sing so as to assess your level and standard. I will probably ask you a lot of questions, to determine your goals and motivation for starting lessons and assess what sort of time you will have to practice and also the sort of music you like and are open to trying.

You can of course ask me any questions you’d like to ask too.

Don’t worry about being nervous, I know it is a strange thing, but I am friendly and welcoming and remember, I have heard a lot of people play or sing over the years. My music room is a safe space, and I will make you feel as comfortable as possible.

Lessons are on most weeks throughout the year. I do have a complete shutdown at Christmas and I have two weeks off in the Summer and often I am performing on the Bank Holiday Mondays. The dates I am not teaching are displayed on the board in my studio and on my website.

I invoice monthly in arrears and payment is via bank transfer or cash only.

Payments for adhoc lessons is expected on the day of the lesson by bank transfer or cash.

I teach every day, but only in my studio Monday-Wednesday and Saturday morning.

Yes, I do teach online. Like many businesses I adapted through the Covid pandemic, and I have invested in good quality equipment to enable me to teach online and it be a positive and straightforward process for us both.

It is also available as an option to everyone should the weather be bad, or due to illness or difficulties getting to my studio.

I currently teach students from the ages of 5 through to 85 and everything in between. Many of my adults had lessons at school but stopped when they started their careers and families but have desperately wanted to get back into music. Others have started as complete beginners in their 40’s 50’s and beyond. If you want to do it, there’s nothing stopping you!

Children playing the flute, I can start little ones at 5 playing the fife, (a plastic instrument that is a hybrid between a flute and recorder that is lightweight, indestructible and inexpensive to buy, that is blown and has the identical fingers to the flute, so swapping when they are big enough is simple)

For children singing, 5 is usually the right time though some can be better as they get older.

If your child can concentrate for 30 minutes, I am happy to teach them.

Yes. I have had a lot of experience of teaching people with dyslexia, dyscalculia, those with physical differences and those on the autistic spectrum. Please feel free to contact me to discuss further.

Yes if you feel more comfortable with someone with you, then please do. I have a sofa for parents or family members and there’s good Wi-Fi and magazines.

I would ask that you don’t bring the whole family and especially any younger children who might be disruptive to the lesson.

Yes. Each year I arrange a pupil’s concert at a local church and an informal adults only get together performance with drinks and snacks in my studio. You can perform or come and watch, there is no pressure to perform if you don’t want to.

Many students compete in local music competitions, a great way to get feedback from someone else, but again there is no pressure to do so.

I also have huge lists of contacts for orchestras, bands, ensembles and choirs in the area if you’d like to then start performing with a group.

Yes of course, people make excellent progress when they are enthusiastic about what they are learning. All suggestions are very welcome.