Teaching Advice/Expert Profile

Expertise

I can answer questions on teaching Curriculum music (not specialist instrumental teaching)with children age 3 - 11. For example how to teach beat and rhythm; keeping control in instrumental lessons! Composition, listening skills etc

Experience in the area

I was a Primary class teacher for nine years then became a Music specialist doing freelance teaching in schools for two years and then joining the Curriculum Support Team as part of the schools Music service in Sandwell, West Midlands where I teach approximately a thousand children every week in seven different schools. I completed an intensive training programme run by the Voices Foundation (the aural approach to Music Education) and have led many training sessions for Primary non-specialist teachers. I am an experienced musician and play piano to diploma standard, accordion in a semi-professional barn dance band, Recorder and Clarinet. I am assistant director of Music at an annual weeklong residential Circle-Dance event, Music director of one of the 4 yearly Lichfield Mystery Plays and own my own Music Publishing Company.

Organizations

Musician's Union, General Teaching Council, National Accordion Organisation, Carl Orff Association (Primary Music Education); English Folk Dance and Song Society.

Publications

I am just completing a publication called 'Stamp and Play' introducing a new method of recording children's composition work.

Education/Credentials

Certificate of Education (Music specialist); A.L.C.M. (Piano performance, history, theory and composition); Grade 8 Music Theory; Grade 5 Clarinet; Grade 4 Piano Accordion; Advanced Certificate Trio Sonata Performance (Recorder).