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
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French
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some German
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some Italian