Ellen

My name is Ellen Priessman and I am a piano, saxophone, clarinet, recorder and theory teacher. I hold ABRSM grades in each instrument and the theory. I love the experience of making music and the joy it brings to people. I have taught pupils of varying ages; from children as young as 4 to older people in their 70s. No two pupils are the same which is part of the love of teaching for me. I get a lot of satisfaction if I can help pupils to achieve whatever it is they want to achieve; whether it is a small ambition such as playing Happy Birthday in a primary school assembly or a larger one like passing their music exams. I studied for my music degree at the University of Winchester (or King Alfred's College as it was then called). I have taught privately since 1997 and have had many exam successes with my pupils. The lessons progress at the pace of each individual pupil; I can adapt lessons to suit each pupil. Everyone is different and some will learn faster than others. I introduce sight-reading early on as this is a skill which will be useful in many ways. Aural skills are also a part of lessons as listening is an essential part of learning and playing music and in other areas of life as well. I always encourage pupils to ask as many questions as they need to; I would rather have a multitude of questions than a pupil who is struggling with something and is too worried to mention it. I will set you pieces or technical exercises to practice between lessons though I do understand that day to day life gets in the way of practice from time to time! If you would like to work towards any graded exams this is something I am experienced in and there are various examination boards available for us to use or if you just want to learn for fun that is fine as well! I am more than happy to teach pupils with special needs and have had several autistic pupils before. I have one pupil who is deaf and another who is blind which goes to show disability really doesn't stop you doing something if you put your mind to it. I use ABRSM or Trinity for exams but I am happy to use other boards if preferred as there are several options now for music exams. I am also happy to do one-off lessons if needed; it may be that you need just a double check or an extra practice for your sight-reading or aural skills for example. I am also the Musical Director for a local theatre company which is great fun! I have also played for school Nativity plays and helped with school orchestras as well.