Biography

Marie-Claire is an experienced teacher of electronic keyboard, flute, clarinet, recorder and saxophone. She studied keyboard with Steve Hepple in Sheffield and upon reaching sixth form she started teaching keyboard to primary school children in Steve's studio. During this time she also became a Licensee of the Victoria College of Music with a teaching diploma and finally became a Fellow at the age of 17.

She then moved to Liverpool where she studied for a BA in Music, teaching keyboard and flute privately to pupils in their homes to pay for her train tickets home. Marie-Claire graduated from University with a 2.1 BA Hons Music.

After spending several years in various jobs in the worlds of finance and hospitality Marie-Claire is now commited to a full time career in music teaching. Having taught music on a part-time basis for 3 years Marie-Claire left the security of her office job in January 2009 and is enjoying being self-employed.

Marie-Claire has furthered her study of the flute taking lessons with Ruth Morley at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and also plays Clarinet and Saxophone.

Marie-Claire was awarded the ABRSM's Certificate of Teaching in July 2010 following completion of a 1-year part time course. The course covered areas such as learning styles, simultaneous learning, and for her coursework Marie-Claire researched the subjects of teaching children with special needs, teaching adult beginners and evolving a curriculum. As a result of her study Marie-Claire now feels much more confident in her teaching abilities and is able to adapt her teaching style to meet the various needs and learning styles of her pupils. Marie-Claire has a particular interest in teaching pupils with Dyslexia. Such pupils who are often very talented, but have difficulties in learning to read music which they can hide from their teachers through developing an extraordinary ability to by playing by ear. Thankfully there are numerous strategies that can be employed to help dyslexic pupils learn to read and understand music notation should they wish to.

As well as teaching private pupils Marie-Claire also teaches keyboard classes as part of the Adult Education Programme at Craigroyston Community High School and Wester Hailes Education Centre.