The arts are vital for development and self expression. As children we learn, play and communicate with songs and rhymes, as we get older our music taste can often help in defining and finding out more about ourselves. There are also studies showing that learning an instrument can aid communication skills, maturity and keep the brain functioning into older age. In my lessons I aim to teach instruments to anyone who is interested in exams, playing for fun or if they want to learn another skill for it’s mental benefits. I have a grade 8 in trumpet, singing and organ and i have experience playing in a variety of different ensembles and genres. I have also taught many people theory, instruments and exam techniques for music. If you’re interested in any of the instruments I offer lessons but are hesitant to start. I urge you to give it a go.

Music theory is the foundation of all playing. You will never find a great musician who isn’t equally as good at playing the instrument as they are and understanding and analysing the piece too. I am a strong believer in making links between what someone is currently playing to what they will learn. If someone’s a beginner then it’s important to look at chords, intervals, key signatures etc.. If you’re a bit further in your playing then we can look at Bach chorales, stereotypical features in genres and styles of music, progressions of ideas throughout music history and more. Finally a person that is very advanced in music may know a lot of theory (by previous lessons or playing experience) and then it’s important to tie in not just advanced concepts in theory but also in history, culture and philosophy of music too. This could be something like deep diving into Charles Mingus’ “Haitian fight song” which uses huge amounts of ideas from Afro-Caribbean folk music, bebop and interpretive jazz. Then looking at the history behind it if oppression, freedom, patriotism and the cultural shift of a former slave nation.

Biology and chemistry are the sciences of interaction. Lots of intricate science is present everywhere be that in nature or man made. For example, cars paint is a great example of d-orbital electron transitioning colour theory, snow flakes forming is a classic example of reaction feasibility and freckling of different cost colours in cats can determine their gender. In my approach to teaching and tutoring biology and chemistry, I think it’s very important to take and use these abstract concepts and make them more tangible ideas. This I have found to help myself with learning these topics and I am confident that it is effective for other students too. I have had tutoring experience for National 5 biology, higher and advanced higher chemistry and I help teach younger classes in a botanics society.