Carla Zappala (MA, PGCE, GRSM hons.) Piano, Classical Guitar, Violin, Music Theory
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Piano, Classical Guitar, Violin & Music Theory Lessons via SKYPE: Fun & Success with a Friendly, Qualified & Experienced Teacher - All Ages and Abilities Welcome

I am a friendly, enthusiastic and patient teacher, with over 35 years’ success in teaching and playing, several years of which include teaching music by Skype. I teach all standards, from complete beginners to advanced, and all ages - my youngest student is 4 years old and my eldest is 87!

I provide one-to-one tuition via Skype to students of all ages and abilities, all over the world! Play just for fun, or follow a more formal path by taking ABRSM examinations. Learn at your own pace, take your playing in the direction you want, and enjoy a real sense of achievement as you progress.

Why choose me as your teacher?
I have a highly-effective teaching style, and focus on being as flexible as possible to meet the needs and wishes of my students, whilst ensuring maximum progress. Whilst some students want to take exams as a measure of their development (I have a 100% pass rate and most of my students pass with Merit or Distinction), exams are not essential and many of my students play just for fun.

In addition to the well-known advantages of learning any musical instrument (improved co-ordination, fine motor skills, problem solving skills, patience etc.) there are additional benefits to choosing an experienced and qualified teacher:

* Make continuous progress at your own rate – Lessons are tailored to your needs, gently moving you forward at a pace which is comfortable and right for you.

* Learn from a friendly, experienced, and qualified teacher – I am a graduate of the Royal College of Music and a qualified class teacher, with experience of teaching music and instruments at primary, secondary and adult education levels, in class, group and one-to-one tuition. With over 35 years of success in teaching you can rest assured you are in good hands.

* Play the kind of music you enjoy – Although originally classically trained, my tastes are varied and my approach is to teach a technique that will enable you to play whatever style of music you most enjoy. Once you have learned the basic techniques you choose the music you want to learn.

* Explore a wide range of musical styles – If you aren’t sure what style of music you prefer, or just want some variety, we can try music from a range styles and cultures – again, you choose!

* Develop skills that will enable you to play any music you want – You will learn a technique that is not specific to one particular style. Once you have learned the basics that technique can be applied to any style of music you want to explore.

* Have fun through success! – Everyone enjoys doing things they are good at. The skills I teach will ensure your continued success and enjoyment … providing you practise regularly!

Learning Via Skype:
I provide one-to-one tuition online via Skype, and have been doing so for a number of years. This is a highly popular and successful method of learning, as is shown by exam results, which remain equally as high as with in-person lessons, and most who have tried both methods prefer it. I have students all over the world of all standards, from complete beginners to Grade 8 and beyond, who have been learning with me in this way for many years.

All my former face-to-face students have moved to online lessons, and they are extremely happy with the opportunities for learning that it offers them - including additional learning aids that weren't available with face-to-face lessons:

* I take videos during the lessons for students to constantly refer to when practising between lessons.
* I can show things from a variety of different angles, that wouldn't be possible to show if the student and I were together.
* I have a view that shows an animated keyboard or fretboard along with the real instrument that highlights each note in real time as I play it, which has proven highly popular and helpful both during lessons and in videos.
* I take detailed notes during each lesson and provide the notes to each student after lessons, so there is never any doubt as to what we are learning.
* Every student has a personal online folder into which I place lesson notes, music, marked theory etc., so there is always a complete record of what has been covered.

All my students agree that with the new opportunities offered by modern technology, lessons are even better than they were in person. Add to this the convenience of online lessons - playing your own instrument instead of the teacher's, not having to travel and battle with bad weather or traffic, not to mention the time saved etc. - and they have all decided to keep lessons online.

The first Skype lesson is free, so that we can check things such as internet connection, positioning of the webcam, lighting etc. Why not try it? There is nothing to lose!

About the lessons:
I teach essential technical skills that will provide a solid grounding in playing the instrument (for the Guitar the technique is variously known as acoustic / finger style / Spanish / classical etc. - N.B. not electric or playing with a pick). For all instruments this involves learning the basic notes and techniques relating to the instrument and will enable you to play whatever style of music you want – in fact many of the best rock and pop musicians trained this way!

All lessons cover:
* Reading music notation
* Right-hand and left-hand instrumental techniques
* Basic musical knowledge and understanding
* Correct positioning
* How to practise effectively

Other (optional) elements include:
* Advanced instrumental techniques
* Music theory
* Ear training
* Preparation for more serious study (music examinations)

Music:
For complete beginners we will follow a specific course that is designed to introduce you to all the key techniques required to master the guitar. This will be supplemented with additional music as needed, giving you a truly individual and tailored approach.

For those who have mastered the basic techniques music will be chosen in consultation with you, based on the styles of music you prefer, the playing standard required and the technical elements that feature in the music. This may include:

* Published music of any style
* Music you enjoy from a CD, MP3, YouTube video etc. – I can transcribe and arrange them to suit your technical ability
* Folk and other song arrangements
* Accompaniments to songs you enjoy
* Preparation for ABRSM graded examinations

The main aim is that your lessons are fun, you are motivated and inspired by the music, and that (with a little regular practise!) you continue to make steady progress.

Whether you are a complete beginner or an advanced musician I can help you to develop your skills and enjoy making your own music.

I look forward to hearing from you!

About me:
I have been playing musical instruments for most of my life, having come from a musical family, and have been teaching for over 35 years both in class, ensemble, small group and one-to-one situations.

I am a graduate of the Royal College of Music, one of the top institutions for music education in the world. Though my specialism was the classical guitar, I also studied the piano and violin, and was the first guitarist to be awarded the G.R.S.M.(hons.) degree. I have since delved into other styles (banjo tunes, jazz, rock, Celtic folk music, alternate tunings etc.) and other instruments (harp, banjo, melodeon, small-pipes, ukulele, steel pans, flute, saxophone, etc.). I am also a qualified teacher (P.G.C.E. London University Institute of Education) and have held the post of Head of Music at both primary and secondary school level. I achieved a Master of the Arts degree (MA) at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, with distinction.

As a musician I have performed all over: as a soloist, in a duo, as part of a small chamber group and in larger choirs and orchestras. I have also published a range of music repertoire and arranged music professionally for a varied range of instruments, and my work has been published in respected music magazines such as ‘Melody Maker'.

My full list of qualifications is: MA. PGCE, GRSM (hons)

Subjects

  • Music Theory Beginner-Expert

  • Violin Beginner-Expert

  • Piano Beginner-Expert

  • Guitar Teacher Beginner-Expert

  • Classical Guitar Beginner-Expert

  • Western classical piano Beginner-Expert

  • Western Classical Guitar Beginner-Expert

  • Piano class for beginners

  • Classical Piano Beginner-Expert

  • Piano Children Beginner-Expert

  • Piano lessons Beginner-Expert

  • Classical Violin Beginner-Expert

  • Violin class Beginner-Expert

  • Guitar Grades Beginner-Expert

  • ABRSM Music Theory Beginner-Expert

  • Piano for beginners

  • Beginner Piano

  • Violin Classical Beginner-Expert

  • ABRSM Piano Beginner-Expert

  • Piano for adults Beginner-Expert

Experience

  • Self Employed Music Teacher (Jan, 2004–Present) at Carla Marie Music
     Teaching of classical guitar, piano, violin, ukulele, recorder and music theory
     High standards of achievement: 100% of examination pupils passed, with 90% achieving merits or distinctions
     Successfully transitioned to online teaching, with most students from the Reading practice continuing after relocation via online tuition.
     Fully equipped music studio offering highly successful and popular online tuition to students from all over the UK, and as far away as
    Germany, Spain. USA, Canada and Hong Kong.
    o Exam results remain as high as ever
    o Exam students taking the new ABRSM online performance examination
    o Videos taken during the lessons for students to constantly refer to when practising between lessons.
    o Multiple camera views show things from a variety of different angles
    o Views that show an animated keyboard / fretboard along with the real keyboard/fretboard, that highlights each note in real
    time as it is played, which has proven highly popular and helpful both during lessons and in videos.
    o Detailed notes taken during each lesson, so there is never any doubt as to what we are learning
    o Every student has a personal online folder into which lesson notes, music, marked theory etc. is placed, providing a
    complete record of what has been covered.
     Responsibility for self-employed tax affairs, book-keeping, budgeting and finance management
     Set up a full-time teaching practice in Reading, then another following relocation to Wales
     All former face-to-face students, who have taken online lessons since the pandemic, agree that with the new opportunities offered by
    modern technology, lessons are even better than they were in person. Add to this the convenience of online lessons - playing your
    own instrument instead of the teacher's, not having to travel and battle with bad weather or traffic, not to mention the time saved etc. -
    and they have all decided to keep lessons online.
  • Head of Music and IT (Sep, 2001–Aug, 2004) at Ranikhet Primary School
     Class teaching to KS3 and extracurricular music clubs, including guitar, recorder, singing and ukulele
     Advising non-specialist staff on music and IT curriculum delivery
     Provision of specialist music assemblies for KS 2 and 3
  • Teacher (Jan, 2001–Aug, 2001) at Supply Teaching Agency
     Supply teaching covering key stages 1 & 2
     Advice to “non-musical” teachers in respect of interpretation of QCA music lesson plans
     Attainment of preferred supply teacher status at two local primary schools and offers of permanent positions
  • Head of Music (Sep, 1997–Dec, 2000) at High School Croydon
    Remit - To rebuild the dilapidated music department, which had previously failed an OFSTED inspection.
     Class teaching to KS3 & KS4
     Co-ordinating timetables for peripatetic staff and pupils, run extracurricular music clubs, line management for two non-specialist music
    teaching staff, including preparation of lessons and associated training for non-specialist staff
     Instrument repair, staging concerts, budget holder
     Preparation for OFSTED inspection, preparation of Music Department Development plan in line with whole school policies and
    objectives
     Devised and implemented schemes of work, assessment criteria and target-setting strategies across Key stages 3 & 4
     Improved provision of instrumental tuition: recovered unpaid revenue from 20% to 100%, no. of students taking additional music
    lessons doubled in 3 months, attendance rates rose from 50% to 95% in 5 months, extra peripatetic staff were hired to cope with the
    demand
     Choir, guitar groups, steel band and various singing ensembles flourished, raising the profile of music both in and out of school
     Raised standards of achievement both in the classroom and in extracurricular groups
     GCSE results improved from a predicted average E to an achieved C within 9 months
     "Clear evidence of progression in student's work", Music hailed as an area of "Excellence" within the school - OFSTED (Nov 1998)
  • Music Teacher (Sep, 1996–Aug, 1997) at High School Croydon
     Class teaching at key stages 3 & 4 & extracurricular work - including choir, steel band, recorder groups and other singing groups
     Assisted in developing strategies to address serious weaknesses identified by OFSTED
  • Instrumental Teacher (Sep, 1987–Jul, 1996) at Music & Drama Centre
     Music teaching in both primary and senior schools in the Bromley school’s area.
     Tutored students in One-Day holiday classes
     Organised regular performances for pupils in school assemblies, concerts and at local music societies
     Devised and published a selection of teaching materials
  • Instrumental Teacher (Sep, 1986–Sep, 1999) at Self Employed Instrumental teaching (2nd Income)
     High standards of achievement:
    o 100% of examination pupils passed (National average 60%)
    o 75% achieved Merit or Distinction (National average 20%)
     Pupils consistently achieved the highest marks in the County
     Responsibility for self-employed tax affairs, book-keeping, budgeting and finance management
     Pupils included those of all ages, from beginner to advanced, with some going on to study Music at College / University level
  • Music Teacher (Sep, 1986–Aug, 1987) at Girls school
     Keystage 3 class teaching plus extracurricular work included a Junior Choir, Full Orchestra, String orchestra, Guitar ensemble, Guitar
    and Flute groups, Recorder Ensemble and various tuned and untuned percussion groups
     Organised a Music and Drama festival encompassing all classes in Keystage 3
     Junior Christmas concert was a great success - more children involved than ever before and tickets sold out within the first few days
     Arranged all music personally to take into account the unusual balance of instruments due to all pupils being girls (i.e. 20 flutes, 12
    clarinets etc!) and to allow opportunities for my one good trumpeter and an excellent oboe player to be highlighted.
  • Music Teacher (Oct, 1985–Aug, 1986) at Boys School
     O Level music teaching

Education

  • Masters (MA) (Jan, 2010–Aug, 2012) from Trinity Saint David University of Wales
  • PGCE (Sep, 1986–Jul, 1987) from London University Institute of Education
  • GRSM (hons) (Sep, 1981–Aug, 1984) from Royal College of Music (London)

Fee details

    ₹3,093/hour (US$36.47/hour)

    Lessons are paid for in advance by bank transfer - per lesson or in a block as students prefer. Fees are currently £30(GBP) per hour / £15(GBP) per half hour

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