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ABOUT ME
I'm a professional musician with over 10 years of experience teaching all brass instruments, piano, music theory, and early years music to children, young people and adults of all abilities.
I'm passionate about education and sharing the joys of music with students young and old. I bring a depth of professional experience and knowledge to those who are eager to expand their minds, talents, and skills. I offer quality, personalised service at affordable prices. Contact me to find out more.
MY STORY
Jennifer Cuthbertson, BMus(Hons) First Class
I'm a committed, patient and enthusiastic teacher (french horn first study) with a wide range of musical and educational experience, currently based in Edinburgh, Scotland, where I returned in the summer of 2018 after 10 years living and working in Dubai.
I have 10 years of experience teaching all brass instruments from beginner to ABRSM Grade 8+ standard, music theory to ABRSM Grade 5 standard and piano teaching to ABRSM Grade 3 standard. I also enjoy ensemble direction for brass ensembles and wind bands of all levels, and have an interest in early years music - conceptualising and leading a Music Explorers club of general music activities for ages 4 to 6 and offering group piano course to the same age group following Alfred's Music for Little Mozarts method.
With a sound knowledge of the curricula for GCSE, A-Level, SQA, Trinity and ABRSM exams, I have a 100% successful pass rate. Before returning to Scotland this summer, I taught both privately and peripatetically in Dubai - for Centre for Musical Arts and at some of the city's leading independent schools - Dubai College, JESS Arabian Ranches and Kings' School Dubai.
I'm always keen to continually develop my skills as a musician and educator. Recent conferences, seminars and workshops undertaken include ABRSM events in London and Dubai, introduction to Kinesiology and Brain Gym, Myers-Briggs personality types and their different learning styles, yoga for musicians, and conducting workshops. I have also participated in horn masterclasses with David McLenaghan, Hugh Seenan and Radovan Vlatkovic.
My teaching style is friendly but focused, and I endeavour to motivate my students to perform to the best of their abilities through a range of teaching techniques and activities which focus on the whole musician and indeed the whole child.
Outside of teaching, I am also an experienced music administrator. I spent 4 years as Workshops Manager at Centre for Musical Arts, overseeing a lively educational events programme for all instruments, ages and abilities, and currently hold the positions of Music Ensembles Administrator at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Course Director of the Arabian Youth Orchestra.
I also enjoy volunteering, working closely with charities such as the Green Gecko Project, Cambodia, and the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund, UAE.
As a teacher, I believe it is particularly important to maintain strong performance skills. I have performed all over Europe and the Middle East in such prestigious venues as the Leipzig Gewandhaus, the Emirates Palace and Edinburgh's Usher Hall. While living in Dubai, I played regularly with the NSO Symphony Orchestra, Dubai Chamber Orchestra, Dubai Pops Orchestra and the orchestras of the Dubai Singers and Dubai Chamber Choir. Highlights include performing for the grand opening ceremonies of Ferrari World Theme Park and World Skills, both in Abu Dhabi, and the newly refurbished QE2 Hotel and the Sheikh Mohammed Cultural Awards, both in Dubai, as well as the globally popular Video Games Live and Queen Live events. Pit experience includes West Side Story, Evita, Guys and Dolls, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Billy Elliot. Recent solo engagements include two Mozart Horn Concertos with the Dubai Chamber Orchestra and Dubai Singers. Since arriving back in Scotland, I am a member of the Black Glass Ensemble, exploring electro-acoustic minimalist music.
A graduate of Edinburgh Napier University, Jennifer studied with Harry Johnstone (Scottish Chamber Orchestra), completing her Bachelors Degree with first class honours and winning the David MacMillan Brass Prize in 2008.
LESSONS
Let's make music!
Lessons are available at weekends and on selected weeknights across Edinburgh and West Lothian.
Lessons take place in your own home or from my teaching base in West Lothian.
Rates: £20 per half hour | £40 per hour
BRASS
Lessons available on all brass instruments (from beginner through to ABRSM Grade 8+) with a focused, positive and constructive approach designed to motivate and guide students towards success. Lessons are tailored to the strengths, needs and ambitions of the individual with emphasis on technical excellence, musical thinking and fun!
MUSIC THEORY
Lessons available from beginner to ABRSM Grade 5 level. Music theory doesn't have to be boring! Whether you are specifically looking to sit a music theory exam, or would like a course of lessons to enhance and improve your practical abilities - gain a deeper understanding of how music works with these engaging and practical lessons.
PIANO
Lessons available for young beginners aged 4+ The piano is one of the most popular and accessible instruments for very young musicians; children taking their first steps in musical learning will gain all the skills they need through fun, interactive lessons, properly paced for young learners. Piano lessons are also available for older children.
EARLY YEARS
Music in early childhood helps cognitive, emotional and social development and provides very young children with the tools they need to grow into healthy, creative and open people. Early years sessions focus on learning through play, song and a variety of different instruments, using tried and tested resources especially designed for very young children.
"We really appreciated your excellent brass teaching and enthusiasm that has rubbed off on our three children. As an ex-French Horn player myself, I really highly rate your individual tuition as well as the ensemble work, which I always thoroughly enjoyed in the audience."
Paul
"Jennifer taught my son trombone for 5 years. She is a talented music teacher who understands the needs of individual students. She encourages and inspires them in a very kind, calm and supportive manner."
Angie
"Mrs Cuthbertson taught trumpet to my daughter from her first experimental lesson with the instrument all the way through to ABRSM Grade 8, which she will sit next year. Her love for music is infectious and her students respect her enthusiastic and energetic teaching techniques. Her participation in the school concert band alongside her students endears her to musicians and parents alike and makes her a central part of the musical community she lives in. I am tremendously grateful to her for everything she has taught my daughter and recommend her skills and teaching techniques unreservedly."
Debbie
"Jen started our son off on the horn six years ago and instilled in him a real passion for the instrument. Under her tuition he played in lots of groups, chamber music, orchestras and events that she organised herself. She was tireless in helping him grow as a musician and that great start means that he is still a keen and highly motivated player."
Jo
"Thank you so much for not only for everything you have done for me this year, but everything you have done for me for 6 years! Thank you for always making every lesson fun and enjoyable. You have helped me come so far on trumpet and I am extremely grateful. I feel lucky to have had you teach me all these years. I will miss you so much."
Emily
CONTACT ME
If you'd like to find out more about lessons, book a trial session or sign up for a term of tuition, drop me a line.