Teachingmelanie_jones_05

Melanie offers one-to-one lessons online & in-person, and has recently filmed herself teaching the Cello for her Online Course for beginner cellists.

Levels and Subjects Melanie teaches:

  • Cello (beginner to advanced)
  • Learn Cello online (beginners) on Udemy – see this sample from Tutorial Video 1
  • Piano (beginner to Grade 6)
  • Violin (beginner to Grade 5)
  • Solfege (singing using Doh, Re, Mi, and so on)
  • Dalcroze Eurhythmics (an understanding of music through movement)
  • Colourstrings Method available to Cello students

 

Music Lessons

Melanie is always interested to teach pupils who want tuition in any of the above instruments/subjects. Pupils of all ages from four years old are welcome, and can be prepared for exams and other performing events if desired. She ensures that all pupils are able to progress both musically and technically in order for their learning to be consistent and their music-making fulfilling.

Melanie tailors her teaching to suit the needs of each individual student in order to bring out the best in them. She is fun to work with, and takes the well being and learning of all her pupils seriously. In 2017 Melanie was diagnosed with Autism, and this diagnosis has really helped her to discover more about herself, and enabled her teaching to become even more open-minded. Being autistic herself, Melanie understands the various struggles that students with special needs can experience. She has experience of working with students who have Autism, Dyspraxia and Dyslexia, and is very happy to use different educational approaches to suit the individual student.

Melanie is a member of the Musicians Union which provides Melanie with insurance cover as a professional player and teacher.

 

Teaching Philosophy

Being an educator as well as a performer, I believe in providing equal opportunities for all pupils. I believe that each pupil should be treated as an individual so that a stable teacher/pupil dialogue is present. This allows for smoother and more satisfying progress.

A teacher should be a source of inspiration, therefore I teach in such a way that is structured but also encouraging and fun. I enjoy giving lessons that are balanced, in which I develop the pupil’s technical skills while stimulating their creativity and increasing their understanding of Music as a whole. It is also important to allow the student to learn at their own pace, so that they have an overall good understanding.

After receiving a lot of education in the Alexander Technique while a student, I am keen to ensure each pupil understands and is able to maintain good posture while playing. In doing this they understand how to use their body methodically and efficiently to gain greater control of the instrument. As a result of my education in Musicianship, I incorporate Solfege (singing/ear training) and Dalcroze Eurhythmics (movement) into lessons too. These methods and approaches are not just beneficial, they are fun, and they greatly influenced my own learning, playing skills, confidence and performance presence, by deepening my own understanding of the music I was playing.

 

More Information

So, can you actually learn to play Cello online?

Of course you can! You don’t have to travel and can learn in your own home. A ‘Cello and bow of ideal size, quality rosin, a floor-stop for the endpin, a screen/monitor to learn from, good internet connection, and a chair of good strength, and you’re ready to go!

Are lessons online as good as face-to-face lessons?

Yes they are. I relocated to Scotland in 2019 from England, and continued teaching some of my students who were back in England online. I began teaching online eight months before covid appeared and I learned to adjust my teaching-style to suit online lessons. All of my students have continued progressing really well regardless of whether they play a String instrument or Piano.

Melanie’s Online Course for beginner ‘Cello students

My Online Course for beginner cellists is available globally on Udemy for an affordable price. This course is a fraction of the cost of several private lessons per month. The student can go at their own pace, learn at home, and not have to think about travelling. The Online Course is split into 2 sets, with 14 Tutorial Videos in Set 1, and 16 in Set 2. It offers a non-hurried and thorough way of learning the Cello. Musicianship training is included (Solfege and rhythm/pulse work), and each video has an accompanying document with notation, homework tasks, and hints, that can be printed off. The student can watch each Video as many times as they need, and pause/replay parts of it to strengthen their understanding. Melanie has included two extra videos into both Sets – tuning the Cello yourself, and applying rosin to the bow. Students who want feedback on their progress are welcome to book a single online lesson with me. Please see this Introduction Video in which I talk in more detail about this course. Check out this sample from Tutorial Video 1 to see my teaching style.

*Please note that only Set 1 of this course is currently available.

 

Experience (current jobs/roles)

  • University of Liverpool, School of Music: Teacher in Cello (online)
  • Professional Performance: Solo and Chamber Music
  • Private Tutoring (Tain, Invergordon, Alness, near Inverness): Cello, Piano, Violin, Musicianship, Music Theory, & Chamber Music

Former Employment/Roles

  • Bowdoin International Music Fesitval, Maine (USA) 2005: Teaching assistant to Peter Howard
  • San Francisco Conservatory (USA) 2005 – 2008: CIS Teaching Program (Cello and Chamber Music)
  • Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra, California (USA) 2006: Chamber Group Coach (Summer Festival)
  • San Franciso Conservatory (USA) 2006 – 2008: Community Music Program /External Performances
  • California State University East Bay (USA) 2007-2008: Cello & Bass Coach
  • Pacific Musical Society, California (USA) 2008: Preliminary Phase Judge for Competition (Strings)
  • Golden Gate Philharmonic Music School, San Francisco (USA) 2008: Chamber Music Coach
  • Private Tutor in Cello, San Francisco (USA) 2005 – 2008: One to one lessons and group lessons
  • Vibo Music Center, San Francisco (USA) 2008: Teacher in Cello
  • Mossley Hollins High School (UK) 2010 – 2011: String Ensemble Director & Cello/Violin Teacher
  • East Crompton Saint James School (UK) 2010: Teacher of Cello
  • All Saints Micklehurst School (UK) 2010 – 2011: Teacher of Strings, Solfege, and Dalcroze Eurhythmics
  • St. Raphael’s School, Tameside (UK) 2010 – 2011: Teacher of Cello, Piano and Violin
  • Sheffield Music Academy, 2008 – 2013: Teacher of Cello, Piano, Chamber Music & Theory