Archive by Author | Sophia McKett

Life Skills, Confidence, and Self-Expression: The Hidden Benefits of Piano Lessons

“Music is not just something you do; it’s a way to understand the world. When a child learns to play a piece with feeling, they are learning to listen, to express themselves, and to be brave.”

When most parents call me to ask about lessons, they usually talk about the music. They want their child to learn to read notes, play scales, or maybe just play a specific composition they like. While those technical skills are obviously the main part of what we do, they are really just the beginning. In my years of teaching, I have seen that the real value of sitting on the piano bench goes far beyond the music itself. It is about life skills, the quiet confidence, and the emotional growth that happens along the way. This blog is a look at the hidden benefits of learning the piano and why it is so much more than just hitting the right keys in the right order.

So, What Life Skills Do Children Learn from Piano?

Playing the piano is one of the best ways for a child to learn focus and discipline, often without them even realizing they are doing it. To learn a new composition, a student has to sit still, play close attention to small details on the page, and work through a problem step by step. In a world where children are used to getting things instantly on a screen, the piano teaches them to slow down. This ability to focus on a single difficult task for a period of time is a skill that will help them in their schoolwork and in everything else they do as they grow up.

Another massive life skill they learn in my studio is how to handle failure and keep going. In every single lesson, a student will make mistakes. They will play a wrong note, mess up a rhythm, or forget a part of the music. And then, they have to stop, take a breath, and try again until they get it right. This teaches them resilience and “grit.” As one of the experienced Bristol piano teachers for beginners, I see children learn that making a mistake is not the end of the world; it is just a necessary part of learning how to succeed.

You Must Think “Why Should Music Lessons be Playful and Fun?”

I believe that if a child is not having fun, they are not really learning to their full potential. Music should be a joy, not a chore that they have to get through just to make their parents happy.

It Keeps Their Brains Open

When lessons are playful, a child’s brain is more open and ready to absorb new information. In my studio, we use games, challenges, and fun music to keep the energy high. We might play a game to learn note names or have a “fastest finger” challenge for scales. This keeps the learning active and stops it from feeling like a boring lecture at school.

It Builds a Lifelong Love

Keeping it playful is the secret to building a lifelong love for music. If a child associates the piano with stress, strict rules, or boredom, they will likely quit as soon as they are allowed to. But if they associate it with creativity, laughter, and fun, they will want to keep playing for themselves. This is the approach we take in our piano lessons for children and adults in Bristol.

It Helps Them Practice More

When a student enjoys the music they are playing, they are much more likely to sit down and practice at home without being told. I try to find pieces that my students actually like, whether it is a classic tune or something else. When they want to hear the music, the hard work of practicing feels much less like work.

But, How Does Music Help with Self-Expression?

For many children (and even many adults), it can be very hard to put big feelings into words. Music gives them a new language to express how they feel without having to speak.

A Safe Outlet for Emotions

When a student learns to play a piece with emotion, maybe playing it loudly and boldly when they are energetic, or softly and gently when they are quiet, helps them learn how to let their feelings out. It becomes a safe and creative place for them to be themselves. They learn that their feelings can be turned into something beautiful.

Learning to Keep Going

When a student learns a hard piece of music, they have to practice the same part many times. They learn that they cannot play it perfectly on the first try. This teaches them that they have to keep working at something to get it right, which is a lesson that helps them in other parts of their life.

Getting Used to an Audience

Playing the piano often means playing for other people, even if it is just for me in a lesson. This helps a student get used to being watched while they do something. Over time, this makes them feel more comfortable when they have to speak or perform in front of a group at school.

Lastly, Is It Too Late for Adults to Get These Benefits?

These are the questions I get asked the most, and the answer is absolutely not. Adults need these benefits just as much as children do, if not more. Taking beginner piano lessons for adults in Bristol is a wonderful way to reconnect with your own creativity and to do something just for yourself. In our busy adult lives, we rarely get the chance to be a beginner at something and to learn just for the joy of it. It is a great way to relieve stress after a long day of work.

For adults, the piano is proof that you can still learn something new. We often get stuck in a routine of work and home, and we forget what it feels like to be a beginner. Learning to read two different lines of music while your hands do two different things is a real workout for your brain. It shows you that you can still take on a challenge and win. There is a great feeling of satisfaction when you finally play a piece that looked impossible just a few weeks ago.

Summary

The piano is more than just an instrument; it is a teacher. It shows you how to work hard, how to be patient with your own mistakes, and how to say things without using words. These are lessons that stay with you forever, whether you are six years old or sixty. If you are looking for affordable adult piano lessons near me or a private piano teacher in Bristol for beginners, I’m here to help. You can contact me through this form to set up your first lesson.

From Practice Room to Stage: How to Prepare for Piano Recitals and Auditions

Nov15

“The stage is not a place to be perfect; it is a place to share what you have learned. If you can play with joy in your own living room, you can play with joy anywhere.”

Whether it is a child’s first small recital or an adult’s first graded exam, the idea of performing can be scary. I see the same nervous look in the eyes of almost every student when we first talk about playing for others. It is very normal to feel this way, but I want to help you reframe it. A performance is not a test where you will be judged; it is a celebration of all the hard work you have done. This blog is my personal guide to helping you prepare for the big day so you can walk onto that stage with confidence.

So, Why Do We Even Do Performances?

You might wonder why we put ourselves through the stress of performing at all. The main reason is that a performance gives a student a very clear and specific goal to work towards. Having a date on the calendar changes the way you practice in a good way. It forces you to stop just “playing through” your music and helps you focus your efforts on polishing one specific composition until it truly shines.

The second reason is the incredible feeling of accomplishment you get when it is over. As one of the experienced Bristol piano teachers for beginners, I see how proud my students feel after they stand up and take their bow. It is a moment that proves to them that they can do something difficult and succeed. That feeling of pride lasts a lot longer than the few minutes of nervousness before they play.

You Must Be Wondering “How to Practice for a Big Performance?’

Preparing for a recital is different from your normal weekly practice. Here are the specific steps I recommend to get ready.

Start Early and Choose Wisely

Do not leave your preparation until the last week before the show. You should choose your performance piece months in advance so you have plenty of time to learn the notes comfortably. This leaves you with enough time to focus on the musicality and the feeling of the piece rather than stressing about which note comes next.

Practice “Performing” at Home

I always tell my students to do “mock performances” in their living room. This means walking into the room, bowing to an imaginary audience, and playing the piece all the way through without stopping for mistakes. This gets you used to the feeling of playing through an error, which is the most important skill you need on stage.

Record Yourself Playing

Recording yourself on your phone is a great tool that I use often in my lessons. It helps you hear what the audience will actually hear, rather than what you think you sound like. It lets you spot small details, like a rushing tempo or a quiet melody, that you might miss while you are busy playing.

Focus on the Start and the End

When you are nervous, the hardest parts are often just getting started and finishing strong. I tell my students to practice the first four bars and the last four bars more than anything else. Even if the middle is a little shaky, a confident ending leaves the audience with a great final impression of your performance.

But, How Do I Manage My Nerves on the Big Day?

Being nervous is just a sign that you care about what you are doing. Here are a few simple ways to handle those jitters:

Breathe Deeply

When we get nervous, we tend to take short, shallow breaths, which makes our hearts beat faster. Before you walk on stage, take three very slow, deep breaths. This simple physical act helps to calm your body down and clears your head so you can focus.

Visualize Success

Before you play, close your eyes for a moment and imagine yourself playing the piece perfectly. You can imagine hearing the applause at the end and feeling happy. This helps to build a positive mindset and stops you from worrying about everything that could go wrong.

It is Okay to Make a Mistake

I want you to remember that the audience is on your side and wants you to do well. If you make a mistake just keep going as if nothing happened. Most people will not even notice a small slip if you do not stop playing and they will applaud your bravery for carrying on.

Trust Your Preparation

You have done the work, and your fingers know what to do. Trusting in the hours of practicing you have put in is the best way to feel calm and ready. You are prepared and now it is time to just let the music happen.

Lastly, A Note for My Adult Students

Adults often feel much more nervous than children because we are more self-conscious. I want to remind you that my beginner piano lessons for adults in Bristol are a supportive environment. No one is there to judge you or count your mistakes; they are all rooting for you to do well. We are all in the same boat, learning something new and difficult together.

You do not have to perform if you do not want to. However, I think every student should try at least once. It feels good to show your friends and family what you have learned. It is a big moment that proves to yourself that you can do it.

Summary

Performing is a challenge; but it is the best way to prove to yourself that you can do it. It gives you a real goal to work towards. Whether you are looking for affordable adult piano lessons near me or a supportive teacher for your child. I can help you get ready for the big day. If you are ready to start, ring me on 07989539075 or fill this form to ask about my piano lessons for children and adults in Bristol.

Feeling Stuck at the Piano? My Advice on Motivation and Making Mistakes

Oct30

“I have learned that playing piano is 10% about your finger and 90% about your mindset. The most important lesson I teach is how to be kind to yourself while you learn.”

Every single student who learns to play the piano will hit a “wall” at some point. It is a very normal part of the journey. This is the moment when the new and exciting feeling of starting lessons wears off, and you realize that learning a composition takes real work. It is also the moment when frustration can build up, and it is the time when most people, both in piano lessons for children and adults in Bristol, are most likely to quit. As a piano teacher, I see my main job as being a guide to help you get over this wall. This blog is my personal advice on how to push through those difficult feelings, overcome frustration, and build a healthy mindset for learning music.

So, Is it Okay to Make Mistakes When I’m Learning?

I want to be very clear about this: it is not just “okay” to make mistakes; it is necessary. As a piano teacher that Bristol parents trust, I see the fear of making a mistake as the single biggest thing that holds a new student back. A mistake is not a failure. It is simply a sign that you have found something you do not know how to do yet, which is the whole point of taking lessons in the first place. A mistake is just information, and in our lessons, we use that information to learn and get better.

This fear of making mistakes is often much stronger in my students who are taking adult piano lessons. When you are an adult, you are used to being good at your job and at your life. It can be very humbling to go back to being a beginner at something and to feel clumsy again. My role as one of the experienced Bristol piano teachers for beginners is to create a safe space in my studio. It is a place where we can laugh at mistakes and learn from them together without any judgment.

But, Why Does My Progress Feel So Slow?

This is the most common question that I hear from students who are in that “stuck” feeling. Learning is not a smooth, straight line that goes up every day; it is a series of steps and flat spots. Here is how to think about it:

The “Plateau” is a Normal Part of Learning

It is very common to feel like you are not making any progress, even if you are practicing every day. This “plateau” is a normal and important part of learning. It is the time when your brain is working hard in the background to organize all the new information that you have been giving it. You are still learning and improving, even when it does not feel like it.

Go Back and Play Your Old Easy Pieces

My favorite trick for when you feel stuck is to go back and play a simple piece that you learned two or three months ago. You will almost certainly be surprised at how much easier it feels to play now. This is the best way to get real proof that you are getting better, and it is a wonderful boost for your confidence on a day when you are feeling frustrated.

Break Down Your Goals into Tiny Pieces

When a new composition feels too big and too hard, the problem is that you are trying to do too much at once. Do not try to learn the whole piece. Just try to learn one single line, or even just one single measure. Your only goal should be to play that one tiny part correctly three times in a row. That is a small and achievable win that helps you build momentum.

You are Learning a New Language

A lot of my students taking beginner piano lessons for adults in Bristol forget that they are learning a whole new language, not just a physical skill. It takes time for your brain to learn to read the notes on the page and then tell your fingers what to do. You must be patient with this process, as it is a lot of work for your mind.

Stop Comparing Yourself to Other People

The fastest way to feel bad about your own progress is to compare yourself to someone else, especially a person you saw on a YouTube video. That person has likely practiced for hundreds or even thousands of hours to make that piece look so easy. The only person you should ever compare yourself is to the person that you were at the piano yesterday.

What Should I Do if My Child Wants to Quit Lessons?

If your child asks to quit their piano lessons for children, my first piece of advice for you is: do not panic. I can tell you that almost every single child who takes lessons will ask to quit at some point. It usually happens right when a new piece gets challenging or when the practice routine starts to feel a bit boring. Your first step should be to have a simple and calm conversation with them to find out the real reason why they want to stop. Are they bored with the music? Are they frustrated with one specific hard part? Are their friends playing outside while they have to practice?

After you talk to your child, the next step is to talk to me, their Bristol piano teacher. We can almost always find a solution to the problem together. Often, the fix is as simple as finding some new and exciting music for them to play, like the theme from their favorite movie or video game. Quitting the moment something gets hard is a bad life lesson, but learning how to find a new way to have fun with it is a great one. We can work together to find that spark again.

Lastly, How Do I Build a Good Learning Mindset?

Learning to play the piano is all about your mindset. Here are a few ways to build a good one that will last for years:

Focus on consistency, Not Time

This is a big one, especially for my piano lessons for beginners. It is much, much better to play for just 10 or 15 minutes every single day than it is to do one giant two-hour practice session on a Saturday. That short daily time builds the connections in your brain more strongly, and as a private piano teacher in Bristol for beginners respects, this is the most common advice I give. It makes practicing a normal part of your day, just like brushing your teeth.

Be Kind to Yourself

This is my most important piece of advice for my students who take piano lessons for adults. You are going to have days where your fingers feel like they do not work, or where you make the same mistake ten times in a row. It is okay. Do not be hard on yourself; just close the piano and agree to try again tomorrow. Beating yourself up does not help you learn.

Reward Yourself for Your Work

You should set small and clear goals for yourself and then give yourself a small reward when you reach them. For example, tell yourself that if you can play the first page of your new piece by the end of the week, you will treat yourself to a nice coffee or a new book. This helps your brain to connect the hard work of practicing with a positive happy feeling.

Remember Your “Why”

On the days when you feel really stuck and frustrated, I want you to stop and think about why you wanted to learn in the first place. Was it to play one specific composition that you love? Was it to have a relaxing hobby just for you? Was it to play music with your family? Remembering your “why” can be the perfect motivation to help you keep going.

Summary

Learning the piano is a marathon, not a sprint, and every student in the world has days where they feel stuck or unmotivated. The way to get better is to be patient with yourself, to be consistent in your playing, and to have a teacher who understands this mental and emotional side of learning music. When you are looking for affordable adult piano lessons near you in Bristol, it is important to find a teacher who supports you as a whole person. If you are looking for a teacher for your piano lessons in Bristol who can help you on this journey then I am here to help.

How to Make Piano Practice Fun and Effective (Even in Just 15 Minutes a Day)

Oct15

“I always tell my students that practicing is not about being perfect; it is about being consistent. A little bit of happy playing every day is much better than one long frustrating hour on the weekend.”

After the excitement of your first few piano lessons, you will hear me say the one word that can sometimes make new students groan: “practice”. For a lot of people, the word “practice” sounds like a chore, like something you have to do. I like to think of it as just “playing,” because that is what it should feel like. The goal is not to be perfect; the goal is to have a little bit of fun at the piano every day. This blog is my personal guide to helping you, or your child, build a simple and fun practice routine that works even if you have a very busy schedule.

So, What is the Biggest Mistake New Students Make When Practicing?

As a teacher, I see a lot of new students make the same one or two mistakes when they start to practice at home. The most common mistake is that they try to play a new composition too fast, too soon. When you are excited about a new piece of music, it is very tempting to try and play it at full speed right away. But this is like trying to run before you have learned how to walk. It usually leads to a lot of missed notes, a messy rhythm and a lot of frustration which can make you not want to practice at all. The real secret to learning a piece quickly is to start by playing it very, very slowly and correctly.

Another common mistake I see is that students will only play the “fun” parts of a piece and they will keep skipping over the tricky bits that they get wrong. It feels good to play the part of a composition that you are already good at, but you will never get any better if you do not face the hard parts. In my piano lessons for adults and children, I always say that the one or two bars of a piece that you are struggling with are the most important parts to practice. When you finally get that one hard part right, the whole rest of the composition will feel so much easier.

Every Parent Wonders the Same Thing: “How Can I Make Practicing More Fun for My Child?”

As a parent, you can do a lot to help make practice time a happy time for your child. It is all about making it feel less like work and more like play. Here are a few of the ideas that I share with the parents of the children who take my piano lessons in Bristol:

Make it a Fun Game

You can turn practice into a simple game to keep your child interested. For example, you can put a small candy or a sticker on the piano for every time they play a small section of a composition three times in a row without a mistake. You can also make it a “challenge” by timing them to see how long they can play without any errors. This makes it feel much more like a fun activity and less like a chore.

Celebrate All the Small Wins

It is very important that you celebrate every little progress your child makes, no matter how small it seems. Did they learn a new note today, or did they play one single bar of the piece correctly that they were struggling with yesterday? You should tell them that you noticed and that they are doing a great job. This positive feedback is so important for keeping a child motivated.

Let Them Be the Teacher

A fun game that you can play is to let your child be the “teacher” for five minutes. Ask them to teach you what they learned in their lesson that week. This is a great way for them to show off what they know, and it also helps them to remember the lesson much better because they have to explain it to you.

Let Them Choose Some of the Music

While it is very important for them to practice the pieces that their teacher gives them, it is also a good idea to let them pick a few of their own “fun” compositions. This could be a simple version of a composition or something they have heard somewhere. As a piano teacher in Bristol, I know that when a child has a personal connection to the music, they are much more excited to practice it.

But, How Can I Practice When I Only Have 15 Minutes a Day?

A lot of adult students have very busy lives with work and family taking up most of their time. The good news is that you do not need an hour every day to get better at the piano. A short and focused 15-minute practice can be very helpful. Here is how you can make the most of a short amount of time:

Have a Simple Plan Before You Start

When you only have 15 minutes, you do not want to waste any of it trying to figure out what to do. Before you sit down at the piano, you should have a very simple plan. For example, your plan could be: “Today, I am only going to work on the first four measures of my new piece.” This focus helps you get a lot done in a short time.

Focus Only on the Hard Parts

With a very limited amount of time, it is best to spend it on the one or two parts of a composition that are giving you the most trouble. Do not waste 15 minutes playing the parts of the piece that you already know how to play well. Go straight to that one tricky section and play it over and over again, very slowly, until it starts to feel a little bit easier.

Just Play for Fun Sometimes

It is also okay if you sometimes use your 15 minutes to just have fun. The best short practice can sometimes be to just sit down and play a composition that you already know and that you love to play. This helps to keep your connection to the music a happy one which is very important for all of my students who take adult piano lessons.

Lastly, What Does a Good Practice Routine Look Like?

A good practice session, whether it is long or short, usually has a few main parts. The first part is a quick warm-up. This can be as simple as playing a few five-finger scales up and down the keyboard to get your fingers moving and your brain ready to play. It is like doing a few small stretches before you go for a run and it is a good habit to get into.

After your warm-up, the main part of your practice should be spent on your new music. The best way to learn a new composition is to break it down into very small and manageable pieces. As a Bristol piano teacher, I often tell my students to learn a new composition just one or two bars at a time. Once you can play that one small part correctly a few times in a row then you can move on to the next small part. At the end of your practice, you can try to put the small pieces together.

Summary

The real goal of practicing the piano is not to be perfect; it is just to get a little bit better each day. For both children taking piano lessons for beginners and adults taking piano lessons for adults, the most important thing is to be consistent. So, by keeping your practice sessions fun, focused, and a regular part of your week, you will be very surprised at how much progress you can make over time.
Well, like always, the first step is the most important one and so is finding a teacher for your piano lessons in Bristol. Lucky for you, I am a piano teacher in Bristol, and you can contact me through this form right here.

Am I Too Old? Is My Child Too Young? A Beginner’s Guide to Piano Lessons

Sep30

“I don’t believe in a ‘right age’ to start learning piano. I believe in the ‘right moment’; the moment a child shows curiosity, or the moment an adult decides that it’s finally their turn to play.”

The decision to start piano lessons for beginners, whether it is for your child or for yourself, is a very exciting one. But, it usually comes with a lot of questions. As a piano teacher in Bristol, I get asked the same things all the time by people who are just starting out. They ask things like, “When is the best age for my child to start?,”Have I left it too late to learn as an adult?”, “Can’t I just learn it from Youtube Videos?” and of course, the golden one, “What kind of piano should I even buy as a beginner?”. These are all very good questions. In this guide, you will find my simple and honest answers to all of them which will help you start your musical journey on the right foot.

So, What is the Best Age for a Child to Start Piano Lessons?

This is the number one question that parents ask me. The truth is, there is no single “magic” age that is the perfect time for every child to start piano lessons for children. I have taught some wonderful five-year-olds who were completely ready to learn, and I have also met some seven-year-olds who still needed a little more time. It is not really about the number; it is about whether the child is ready to learn in a structured way.

There are a few simple signs that you can look for that will tell you if your child might be ready. Can they sit still and focus on one single activity for about 15 minutes? Do they know their ABCs and can they count to ten? And, most importantly, do they show a real interest in music when they hear it? If the answer to these questions is yes, then it is probably a good time to think about starting lessons with a good piano teacher in Bristol that parents trust.

Are You Still Thinking: “Am I Too Old to Start Learning Piano as an Adult?”

Let me be very clear about this one: you are never, ever too old to start learning how to play piano. In fact, learning an instrument as an adult has some great advantages that children do not have. As an adult, you are learning because you want to and not because someone is making you. This personal motivation is the most powerful thing that you can have. Adults are also better at understanding complex ideas which can help you learn music theory more quickly.

A lot of people come to me for adult piano lessons because they are looking for a new hobby that is just for them learning to play the piano as an adult is a great way to relax after a long day of work. It is a way to use a different part of your brain, and the feeling of being able to play your first full song or composition is a huge accomplishment. So, do not let the thought that it is “too late” stop you from starting or signing up for piano lessons for adults.

Now, “Can I Learn Piano from YouTube Instead of a Teacher?”

YouTube is a great place to find inspiration, but it is not a very good substitute for a real and live teacher or teaching sessions. Here is why:

Personal Feedback

A video can show you what to do, but it can never give you the most important thing that you need to learn well: personal feedback. A YouTube video cannot see your hands to tell you that your posture is wrong. It also cannot hear you tell you that your rhythm is a little bit off, and these are the small things a teacher can fix right away and a lot more.

Learning Path

A real piano teacher in Bristol will create a step-by-step path of lessons and pieces that is made just for you. This means that you are always learning the right thing at the right time. When you learn from random videos online, it is easy to get confused or to try and learn something that is too hard for you too soon.

Motivation and Support

Learning any new skill can be hard sometimes. A teacher is there to give you encouragement when you feel stuck or frustrated. They can help you get past the hard parts and can help you to stay motivated to practice which is a very important part of the learning process. From their experience, they can even share tips and stories about other students to make sure that you don’t feel lost and demotivated.

Lastly, What Kind of Piano Should a Beginner Buy?

When you are first starting out, you do not need to buy a big and expensive piano. A lot of beginners start with a simple digital keyboard as their first instrument while some of them already have an acoustic piano in their homes. This choice is your personal one and if you are taking lessons physically in Bristol then you get to play on the teacher’s piano itself.

However, if you are going to buy a budget-friendly digital keyboard as most beginners do then you can look for things mentioned below to make sure you get the right one.

Look for Weighted Keys: The most important feature to look for is “weighted” or “touch-sensitive” keys. This is so because, if you press a key softly then it will make a quiet sound, and if you press it hard then it will make a loud sound just like a real piano. A cheap keyboard without this functionality will make it very difficult for you to learn how to play with feeling and control.

Check the Number of Keys: You should also think about the number of keys. A full-sized piano comes with 88 keys, but you do not need all 88 when you are just starting out. Although, you can go for it if you are serious about learning and moving ahead with piano as a career since it will help you settle your hands quicker. Otherwise, you can try to get a keyboard with at least 61 keys, as this will give you enough room to play most of the beginner pieces using both of your hands.

Digital vs. Acoustic Pianos: A real acoustic piano is a beautiful instrument, but it is very expensive and needs to be tuned every year. For a beginner, a starter digital keyboard is a much better choice because it is more affordable and easy to move. You can also plug in headphones so you can practice without disturbing anyone else in the house.

Summary

The journey of learning how to play piano is a very rewarding one both for children and adults. There is no one “perfect” age to begin rather than the right time is simply when you feel ready and excited to learn. While it might be tempting to learn on your own from videos, trust me having a good teacher by your side will make the process much more enjoyable and successful.
If you don’t already have an acoustic piano then, don’t worry at all as you don’t really need a fancy instrument just to start. A simple digital keyboard with weighted keys is all you need to get going. Taking that first step is the most important part, and the next one is to find a good teacher for your piano lessons in Bristol to begin playing. You can contact me through this form right here and I’d be more than happy to help you get started.

Sophia McKett

Sep25

Tel. 07989539075

email: soniawick@yahoo.com Address: Pembroke Road, Clifton, Bristol. BS8 UK

Sophia is a professional pianist based in Clifton, Bristol. She studied at the prestigious Gnessin Academy of Music, Moscow, and graduated with a Master’s degree in 1998. Whilst there she was exposed to the very best of the Russian piano school. After graduating she went on to perform in numerous concerts both in Russia, Germany and in Sri Lanka, where she appeared as soloist with the Sri Lanka Symphony Orchestra. me and charlotte

Sophia has been living in Bristol since 1999 and has given many recitals locally. She is in demand as a teacher and accompanist. Sophia teaches at a specialist music school, – the Wells Cathedral School, and Badminton School and Clifton College. Sophia also has a successful private teaching studio with many prize winning pupils and enjoys passing on the rich traditions of the Russian school of piano playing.

Sophia believes it is essential to teach her pupils to love music. It is through loving it that one comes to understand it. She adores teaching little beginners as much as she does advanced pupils. It does not matter if they take lessons for light music making or go on to pursue a career of it, – Sophia provides fun, well structured lessons, in a supportive environment, that provide the necessary technique needed to play beautifully. Her lessons are inspiring and tailored to individual needs. She is CRB checked.

“Sophia is an inspirational teacher, I have learnt so much from her over the years and will always be grateful for everything she has helped me achieve starting from my earliest beginner steps aged five to my Licentiate Diploma at 14. The numerous competitions I have won, most notably the Rotary Young Musician Competition, have given me confidence in my ability to achieve the goals I set myself with her guidance. She is also a very loving and warm person, interested in every aspect of my life, not just musical” — Yuying Fan 2024

” Thank you so much for teaching me for the last two years. You are a brilliant teacher and I have learnt so much from you. I will never forget the musical inspiration you gave me, from Bach to Prokofiev, and all the techniques you have taught me (large chords, long jumps…..). It has been a constructive but short period of time to study with you, and I wish it could be longer! I will let you know how my diploma exam went. Wish you all the best in the future, and again Thank You!!!” — Connan Wan 2012