Robins Music Room
A space to play and sing and learn
Lessons
Age and Ability Level
Students of all ages are welcome.
Beginners - Intermediate Levels taught.
Voice/Violin/Piano
I work with the individual students, exploring their instrument, developing their skills to help support the sound they create, while ensuring they are using a sustainable and secure technique. I am happy to cover a wide range of styles in lessons and enjoy exploring new genres with students.
LESSON structure
Each lesson covers warm ups, technique and performance from written notation and also incorporates broader elements of musicianship, helping to develop the whole musician. Sight-reading and improvisation are incorporated into lessons. Aspects of music theory, aural recognition and internalisation are used to strengthen and deepen an understanding of the music the students are performing.
Music Theory/Musicianship/Aural Training
I teach the theory of music alongside more general musicianship skills. I base my approach on Kodaly principles as this is an approach I strongly believe in and have used in kindergarten, primary and secondary school settings for a number of years. I can help students prepare for the aural tests for exams and integrate this training into lessons as I believe general musicianship skills should be covered in instrumental and vocal lessons to aid the holistic development of a musician.
I have full DBS checks and am safeguarding trained, which is updated yearly.
Small Vocal Ensembles - (currently on hold)
I run small vocal ensemble groups where 5-8 singers come together and enjoy learning and performing a wide range of material in a group setting and enjoy singing in harmony with each other. The material is accessible to readers and confident non-readers as supporting material is provided to help you learn. Anyone is welcome. Please email me for further details.
Terms and Conditions
A minimum of 24 hours notice must be given for any missed session unless otherwise agreed by Robins Music Room.
MY aim
To create a safe and secure environment for students to learn to express themselves and to build a love of music that will be lifelong.
FAQs
How measures have you put in place with regard to Covid-19?
I regularly clean all surfaces and keyboards. The room is well ventilated with windows and a door open. There are facilities for everyone to wash their hands upon entering and I have hand gel available for everyone to use. There are separate toilet facilities for you to use. I am happy to wear a mask and have a covid screen I can use, depending on the level of risk and national measures being put in place.
What can I expect?
Each lesson will be tailored to meet the individual needs of the student. You will need a notebook to keep notes from the lesson which either myself or the student writes in each lesson.
How do I make payments?
I invoice at the start of each half term.
How frequent are the lessons?
I am happy to take bookings for weekly or fortnightly lessons.
Where do I wait while my child has a lesson?
There is a comfy sofa in a waiting room adjacent to my studio that you are more than welcome to use while you wait. There is a seatl in the studio if you prefer to see the lesson, this is useful for parents if the child is a beginner, but not compulsory. If the weather is good you could sit in the garden.
Will you enter students for exams?
I am happy to enter students for exams. I believe that exams can be useful benchmarks, but are not always necessary.
Is there parking?
On street parking available
Testimonials
“My daughter and I came to Claire as we were going to be singing at a wedding. Claire immediately made us both feel very comfortable and relaxed. The advice she gave was invaluable providing us with simple and easy exercises that we could use on the day to warm up, she also advised us how to stand in a way that we would both feel comfortable and be able to perform at our best, along with excellent guidance on dynamics and how to make our performance the best it could be. I am really glad that we came to Claire for this session and we would very happily seek her expertise again in the future.”
“From the moment Claire opens the door with a smile and a welcome any nervousness about exposing your voice to a singing lesson disappears. Having never had a lesson in my life I had no idea what to expect or indeed if it was worth trying to sing but I need not have worried. Every minute of every hour spent in Claire’s lovely studio was fun and so worthwhile. At the end of each lesson I always feel so much happier, brighter and uplifted. Not only that I am beginning to believe that I can sing! Claire is a brilliant teacher who puts you at your ease and instils you with confidence. She has a lovely personality and sense of humour which ensures pure enjoyment for the whole lesson.”
“I asked Claire to help when my daughter was studying for A level music. My daughter had some ideas for her composition but was really struggling to get them in any kind of order. Claire had some great suggestions and was extremely kind and patient. We had several sessions and it all came out well in the end with a good grade allowing my daughter to continue to a music degree at University. I would heartily recommend Claire for anyone needing support in any area of GCSE or A level music.”
“Claire has helped me with so many areas of my singing both as a chorister and soloist. She is extremely knowledgeable and has a great ear. Most importantly Claire makes singing fun and makes each lesson a pleasure which has helped me overcome my nerves and regain my passion for singing.
I couldn’t recommend Claire highly enough she is a pleasure to sing with.”
“I have the extreme good fortune to know Claire in 2 contexts – as a member of a choir she conducts; and as an eager participant in private singing lessons. Claire is a joy and inspiration as one of the conductors of Leith Hill Time Line Choir. She always challenges us, whilst ensuring we have fun from the moment we stand to warm up through to the final harmonies of the evening. She engages with her choir 100%, conveying her musicality through clear and expressive conducting – and with the warmest of smiles. In private singing lessons (both individually and with a small group), I have asked for help with with the challenges of mastering notes and phrasing in Renaissance polyphony; brushing up on tricky passages in oratorio; expressing a story through folk music; or having fun with medleys from musical theatre. Claire always inspires the confidence that I have made technical progress, whilst infusing each lesson with her own brand of focused structure and enjoyment. She is a treasure!”
Inspirational Quotes
Zoltan Kodaly
"Music is nourishment, a comforting elixir. Music multiplies all that is beautiful and of value in life."
