Biography

I have been teaching music privately since 1982, alongside working as a professional musician and then as a Director of Music/Performing Arts & a Teacher of Music in 6 different independent and state schools.

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Susan Sommerville

GMusRNCM (Hons)

PGCE

Having spent the last 20 years working as a professional musician and teacher working in opera & musical theatre all over Europe and 18 years in schools in Yorkshire, Scotland, Wiltshire & Norfolk, I have decided that the time is right to branch out on my own and manage my own Music Teaching business.

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I am a fully qualified teacher (PGCE) with enhanced DBS clearance and experience of teaching privately and in school settings.  After attending grammar school I studied piano & academic music at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, graduating with Honours in 1983.  I also play violin/viola and am an experienced vocal and choral coach.

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The current situation we all find ourselves in with Covid-19 has led to me teaching on-line for the first time and finding that this works really well.  The platforms available to host these lessons - Teams, Zoom, Facetime - are improving their services significantly at present and this enhanced technology means that anyone with a decent internet connection can access high-class and affordable online teaching from the comfort of their own homes at a time to suit.

Education

Sept 1979 to June 1983

4 year undergraduate course in Music from the RNCM (Royal Northern College of Music):

Academic Studies & Piano/Accompaniment.

Sept 2001 to June 2002

Teaching degree specialising in Music and Primary (3 to 13) age group.

Languages

Career Summary: (in reverse chronological order)

Honours Degree in Music

Postgraduate Certificate of Education

TEACHING

Gresham's School, Norfolk - Music Teacher

Hewett Acadamy, Norwich - Music Teacher

Reepham High, Norfolk - Music Teacher

Sandroyd School, Wiltshire - Director of Performing Arts

Cargilfield School, Edinburgh - Director of Music & Drama

Malsis School, North Yorkshire - Director of Music & Drama

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PROFESSIONAL THEATRE

Opera North, Leeds

Harvey Goldsmith, London & European tour

King's Consort - London & Paris

John Eliot Gardiner - Portugal, Italy & France

Opera Northern Ireland, Belfast

Theatr Clwyd, Mold, Wales

City of Birmingham Touring Opera, Birmingham

Buxton International Festival, Derbyshire

Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester

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• English

• French

• some German

• some Italian