Joseph Shiner

Music has been the principal driving force in my life from an early age. From my earliest musical experiences, I was fortunate enough to benefit from the presence of inspiring teachers and mentors, who fostered in me an unerring passion for the craft of making, performing, appreciating and understanding music in all its diverse forms. Therefore, in my own teaching I constantly strive to do the same for my students; to pass on that same spirit of excitement, curiosity and discovery. I tailor the curriculum and pace of study to each and every student's needs, constantly evaluating and balancing their short, medium and long-term goals. For my younger/lower-level students, I utilise an approach that focuses on fun and freedom to explore, treating each aspect of their musical study (including technique, theory, listening skills) as interrelated, not independent. I always use a piece of music as the starting point for a new topic or piece of information, rather than introducing them as abstract, remote ideas. With my advanced students I endeavour to help them penetrate deeper into the music that they are studying; to explore concepts of interpretation and self-expression; to provide them with a secure technique to realise their musical ambitions; to develop the critical skills to be able to evaluate and teach themselves; to consider and discover aspects of music history and context; and, most importantly, to broaden and enrich their musical experiences by discovering a variety of different genres and styles. At the heart of my teaching philosophy lies the belief that the world of music and music-making is a limitless well of fulfilment that everyone can partake in and make the most of, in whatever way that works best for them. Ultimately, my goal is to give my students lifelong skills that enable them to enjoy and evaluate the music they come into contact with - whether as a professional or an amateur, in the audience at a concert or on the radio, or in the classroom. As such, I create in my lessons a place of exploration in which students feel free and comfortable to ask questions, and maximise their potential. I want my lessons to be a portal not only to this infinite world of music, but ultimately to happier, more gratified versions of themselves.