Pursue the Passion.

Piano Teacher | Headington Piano Studio | Oxford

Friendly, qualified piano teacher in Headington. 20+ years experience. All ages and levels. Free interview lesson.

Inspired By Passion

"The lessons are well structured and enjoyable, with a clear written record of what to work on each week. This makes practice feel achievable. Leon is flexible, organised and has a lovely motivational manner. Highly recommended." A.B. (Piano-parent)

One to one piano Lessons
For All Levels

01.

Beginner

A modern take on traditional pedagogy – ‘sound before symbol’. Healthy piano technique is built upon a steady foundation from the very first lessons. Pupils learn how to read piano music in progressive stages – one element building on the other.

02.

Intermediate

Student-centred approach – discovering the glorious world of piano music. Efficient and effective practising techniques are taught in lessons creating a solid foundation upon which musical expression can flourish.

03.

Advanced

Performance styles from the different musical periods are brought to life alongside advanced practising methods to enable musical expression in performance at this level.

"My life feels richer as I learn more about music in the wider sense and it is unlikely that this would have happened without Leon's teaching."

J.M.

Adult piano pupil

Relaxed & Friendly

About leon

Leon holds a degree in Human Physiology and was awarded the Associateship of the London College of Music & Media (ALCM, Music Theory and Performance) in 2001. The following year he graduated with the European Piano Teachers Association’s (EPTA) Certificate in Piano Pedagogy (Thames Valley University) and set up his teaching practice. Leon continued his piano studies and was awarded the DipABRSM (Piano Performance) in 2005. He has performed in local music competitions and festivals. He has attended many EPTA events and Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) seminars. He was a participant at the World Piano Pedagogy Conference in Nashville, USA in 2003.

Leon has over 20 years experience teaching piano in Headington. He teaches all ages and levels and holds the enhanced and fully up-to-date DBS certification. Leon continues his professional development in teaching: becoming a member of The Curious Piano Teachers group from 2017, and studied for 3 years at Jazz School UK. Leon is Head of Piano for the annual Oxford Music Festival and sits on the Festival’s Music Committee.

Relaxed & Friendly

teaching, performing & learning spaces

One To One lessons

Piano lessons – one to one in my Headington Teaching Studio or online via Zoom, Skype or Facetime. Lessons start at 25 minutes for the youngest beginners, then 40 minutes (up to around Grade 5 level) and finally 55 minutes for advanced pupils (Grade 6 level and above).

Virtual concerts

Leon has introduced Virtual Concerts to enable pupils to have their prepared piece videoed in Leon’s teaching studio – aiming to be included in the next Virtual Concert. Piano pupils and their family and friends can watch the complete concert which is broadcast live on YouTube. It is planned to have two Virtual Concerts each year – Summer and Winter

performance workshops

Leon has held Performance Workshops for interested groups of pupils to work on musical expresssion together in a nurturing environment and in a variety of ways – including expressing each other’s live performance through movement. These workshops can be a profound musical experience for participants.

Grade Exams

For pupils keen to acquire the benchmarking provided by grade exams, Leon uses 4 different exam boards, and is accustomed to matching the exam boards’ syllabuses to each pupil’s strengths. The exam boards now offer digital exam options as well as traditional in-person live exams. Leon’s pupils have been awarded Merits and Distinctions at all levels – from Pre-Grade 1, up to Grade 8 and beyond.

public performance

For those pupils keen to play in public, Leon encourages interested pupils to enter the annual Oxford Music Festival – as a great opportunity to play live to a sympathetic audience and an expert adjudicator. There are piano classes at all levels, from beginners up to professional standard, in both competitive and non-competitive formats. Leon’s pupils have enjoyed successes in competitive classes. Leon is Head of Piano for the Oxford Music Festival and sits on the Festival’s Music Committee.

musicianship & theory of music

Leon collaborates with local instrumental teachers to provide additional tuition in aspects of musicianship and music theory. This extra tuition can be beneficial for pupils entering the higher grade exams – where a solid understanding of music theory and musicianship significantly enhances interpretation of pieces at this level.

Testimonials

What leon's pupils & piano parents Say...

“We’ve had lessons with Leon for the past 3 years and can vouch for his patience, flexibility and professionalism. He is a kind and thoughtful teacher as well as being incredibly well organised."

C.B. (piano parent)

“My children have been learning with Leon for 4 years and they have flourished in this time. Leon has just the right balance of challenging pupils while retaining his gentle manner so the learning is always fun. He is a wonderful teacher!”

G.F. (piano parent)

"I first came across Leon when my son needed help with Grade 5 aural tests. The improvement and confidence gained after three sessions was amazing. We were so impressed that we went on to sign up for piano lessons. The lessons are well structured and enjoyable, with a clear written record of what to work on each week. This makes practice feel achievable. Leon is flexible, organised and has a lovely motivational manner. Highly recommended."

A.B.(Piano parent)

"Leon has taught me as an adult and my two kids as teenagers. My children had learned with other teachers before, but Leon took them to a level I never would have thought possible and I highly recommend his committed approach to his pupils and his teaching".

A.D. (piano parent & Pupil)

"Leon is very encouraging and has infinite patience and an amazing ability to cut a big scary task into small, manageable chunks. During lockdown, my weekly piano lessons over Skype helped give me structure and purpose and with Leon's guidance I learned to play a favourite piece by Bach. My life feels richer as I learn more about music in the wider sense and it is unlikely that this would have happened without Leon's teaching."

J.M. (adult pupil)