Inside the lives of music teachers at Greenwich Music School

February 5, 2025

Step into a lesson at Greenwich Music School, and you’ll find teachers who don’t just talk about music—they live it. They perform, compose, research, and collaborate, bringing their experience into every session. Whether teaching young beginners or advanced students, they know what it’s like to stand on stage, to prepare for a recording session, or to shape a piece of music from nothing. That real-world musicianship makes their lessons more than just instruction—it makes them an invitation into the world of music itself.

From the stage to the lesson room

Many of the teachers here balance their time between teaching and performing. Take Alejandra, a violinist originally from Colombia, who combines her love of performance with a deep commitment to education. Or Ben, a jazz pianist and graduate of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, whose work spans jazz and classical music, both in performance and teaching.

For some, teaching itself is a lifelong craft. Antonia, a soprano and singing teacher, believes that the key to learning is listening—both from the student and the teacher. She builds her lessons around that philosophy, creating a space where students can develop their voices with confidence.

And then there’s Berx, a guitarist who regularly performs with the Opari Duo, collaborating with composers to bring new works to life. His background in contemporary music means his students are exposed to cutting-edge ideas in performance and composition, alongside traditional technique.

A wide musical landscape

With teachers from a range of musical backgrounds, students at Greenwich Music School experience a breadth of approaches. Chiara, a pianist originally from Italy, enjoys working with students of all ages, constantly developing her teaching to be both structured and inspiring. Charlie, a guitarist, moves between jazz, rock, folk, and even hip-hop—his work as a session musician means that his students learn how to adapt, improvise, and play with fluency across genres.

Songwriting and production are just as much a part of the school’s teaching as classical and instrumental studies. Simon, a BBC 6 Music-playlisted songwriter, works with students to develop their own compositions, whether in pop, rock, or other contemporary styles. His approach encourages creativity, guiding students to find their own voice as songwriters.

Teaching as a craft

One of the things that makes this teaching team unique is their approach to ongoing learning. Many hold advanced qualifications, but their professional development doesn’t stop there. Helene has trained with the British Kodály Institute and NYCOS, deepening her expertise in early years and school-age music education. Others have studied methods such as Dalcroze Eurhythmics, which connects movement and music, helping young students build a natural sense of rhythm and expression.

For students, this means learning from teachers who are always evolving, always refining their approach. It’s not about following a rigid formula—it’s about understanding how each student learns best. Some students are drawn to performance, some to composition, some to theory and analysis. The diversity within the teaching team means there’s a place for all of these interests, and more.

More than just lessons

What sets Greenwich Music School apart isn’t just the talent of its teachers, but the way they connect with their students. Many of them know what it’s like to train intensively, to perform professionally, and to navigate the challenges of being a musician. That experience allows them to bring warmth, flexibility, and creativity into their lessons, ensuring that students don’t just learn music—they develop a lifelong relationship with it.

Some students come for technical excellence, preparing for conservatoire auditions or high-level performance. Others come simply for the joy of playing, for the challenge of learning something new, or for the chance to express themselves through sound. Whatever their motivation, they find a team of teachers ready to support them, to push them, and to share in their successes.

It’s that mix—of expertise and encouragement, of professionalism and passion—that makes learning here so rewarding. And it’s what makes Greenwich Music School not just a place to take music lessons, but a place to grow as a musician.

Inside the lives of music teachers at Greenwich Music School

February 19, 2025

Step into a lesson at Greenwich Music School, and you’ll find teachers who don’t just talk about music—they live it. They perform, compose, research, and collaborate, bringing their experience into every session. Whether teaching young beginners or advanced students, they know what it’s like to stand on stage, to prepare for a recording session, or to shape a piece of music from nothing. That real-world musicianship makes their lessons more than just instruction—it makes them an invitation into the world of music itself.

From the stage to the lesson room

Many of the teachers here balance their time between teaching and performing. Take Alejandra, a violinist originally from Colombia, who combines her love of performance with a deep commitment to education. Or Ben, a jazz pianist and graduate of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, whose work spans jazz and classical music, both in performance and teaching.

For some, teaching itself is a lifelong craft. Antonia, a soprano and singing teacher, believes that the key to learning is listening—both from the student and the teacher. She builds her lessons around that philosophy, creating a space where students can develop their voices with confidence.

And then there’s Berx, a guitarist who regularly performs with the Opari Duo, collaborating with composers to bring new works to life. His background in contemporary music means his students are exposed to cutting-edge ideas in performance and composition, alongside traditional technique.

A wide musical landscape

With teachers from a range of musical backgrounds, students at Greenwich Music School experience a breadth of approaches. Chiara, a pianist originally from Italy, enjoys working with students of all ages, constantly developing her teaching to be both structured and inspiring. Charlie, a guitarist, moves between jazz, rock, folk, and even hip-hop—his work as a session musician means that his students learn how to adapt, improvise, and play with fluency across genres.

Songwriting and production are just as much a part of the school’s teaching as classical and instrumental studies. Simon, a BBC 6 Music-playlisted songwriter, works with students to develop their own compositions, whether in pop, rock, or other contemporary styles. His approach encourages creativity, guiding students to find their own voice as songwriters.

Teaching as a craft

One of the things that makes this teaching team unique is their approach to ongoing learning. Many hold advanced qualifications, but their professional development doesn’t stop there. Helene has trained with the British Kodály Institute and NYCOS, deepening her expertise in early years and school-age music education. Others have studied methods such as Dalcroze Eurhythmics, which connects movement and music, helping young students build a natural sense of rhythm and expression.

For students, this means learning from teachers who are always evolving, always refining their approach. It’s not about following a rigid formula—it’s about understanding how each student learns best. Some students are drawn to performance, some to composition, some to theory and analysis. The diversity within the teaching team means there’s a place for all of these interests, and more.

More than just lessons

What sets Greenwich Music School apart isn’t just the talent of its teachers, but the way they connect with their students. Many of them know what it’s like to train intensively, to perform professionally, and to navigate the challenges of being a musician. That experience allows them to bring warmth, flexibility, and creativity into their lessons, ensuring that students don’t just learn music—they develop a lifelong relationship with it.

Some students come for technical excellence, preparing for conservatoire auditions or high-level performance. Others come simply for the joy of playing, for the challenge of learning something new, or for the chance to express themselves through sound. Whatever their motivation, they find a team of teachers ready to support them, to push them, and to share in their successes.

It’s that mix—of expertise and encouragement, of professionalism and passion—that makes learning here so rewarding. And it’s what makes Greenwich Music School not just a place to take music lessons, but a place to grow as a musician.

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