Biography

Hello. My name is Alexandra Bowen and I am a musician based in Derbyshire, UK.

My Teaching Background

Since 2002 I have been teaching piano, music theory, song-writing/ composition, musicianship, aural skills, and provided extra tuition for GCSE and A-level music. I have taught pupils aged 4 – 75 from beginner to Grade 8 standard and am experienced in teaching those with specific learning requirements and conditions such as Dyslexia, Speech Dysphasia and Visual Processing problems. I am particularly interested and specialised in teaching students who have Autistic Spectrum Conditions.

Since 2010 I have also been providing tuition for other teachers: I provide guidance on how to teach improvisation, keyboard harmony and aural skills in particular. I also tutor for those wishing to study a first diploma in piano teaching.

Stepping Tones

In 2011 I launched Stepping Tones, a company which delivers workshops to children and adults of all ages and abilities, to help them become better able to feel, hear and understand music. See www.alexbowenmusic.com for more information.

My Concerts

Since December 2009 I have been holding regular pupil concerts at The Voicebox Arts Centre in Derby: I invite my own students and the students of some of my teaching colleagues to perform. These events have been very successful with up to 20 performers and 70 audience members. I have programmes and tickets professionally designed and printed and there are refreshments during the interval. I also have the whole performance filmed and the sound recorded professionally. These videos are hosted on Youtube (go to www.youtube.com/thesemovingpictures).

My Own Music

I write, record and arrange my own music which has been used for independent film, in my teaching and for my own performances, both solo and ensemble. I have performed at venues across the UK including at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2009, the Buxton Fringe Festival 2009 and at Derby University May Ball 2006, alongside acts such as Joan as Policewoman, The Howling Bells, The Fun Loving Criminals and Liam Frost. In 2009 I was a featured artist on www.mercedes-benz.tv, where my song, ‘Into the Sea’ was available for download to people all over the world. In 2011, Mercedes Benz short-listed my song from 360 down to the top ten, and featured it once more on their site.

Other Teaching Experience

For 2008/2009 I worked as a classroom music teacher in a primary school. I spent 3 hours each week working with Year 3 and 4 (aged seven-nine). I have also worked as a teaching assistant with two reception classes (aged four and five) and I currently work at a local independent primary school, providing lessons in musicianship and in piano.