Welcome to the new academic year—and to the first edition of Studio News!

September always feels like a time for fresh starts. Returning pupils are beginning new pieces and setting themselves new challenges, while several new pupils are taking their first steps at the piano.

The studio has had a fresh start too. I’ve given it a thorough tidy and reorganised the space so that it feels brighter, calmer and more welcoming. It’s surprising what a difference a little more space and a better flow can make. It’s reassuring that many of my students nave noticed the difference too!

New music for a new term

One of the nicest things about the beginning of term is choosing what to play next. Around the studio, pupils are starting all sorts of new music—from first tunes and teacher duets to classical pieces, film themes, pop songs and exam repertoire.

Although developing technique and musical skills is important, I also want pupils to play music that genuinely interests them. If there is a particular piece, song or style of music you would like to explore this term, please tell me during your lesson. I’m always happy to investigate suitable arrangements and suggestions.

What would you like to achieve?

This week, I’ll be asking pupils a simple question:

If you could achieve one thing at the piano by Christmas, what would it be?

Your answer might be:

• learning a particular piece;
• playing with greater confidence;
• improving sight-reading or rhythm;
• establishing a better practice routine;
• preparing for an exam;
• performing in front of an audience;
• or simply enjoying playing the piano more often.

There is no single right answer, and a goal doesn’t need to be enormous to be worthwhile. I’ll bring some of the studio’s suggestions together—anonymously—in next week’s Studio News.

Autumn Piano Concert

We already have something exciting to work towards: our Autumn Piano Concert on Sunday 15 November at 2pm at The Firs School.

The theme will be Share Something You Enjoy. This will be an informal, supportive open-mic-style concert, so pupils can perform music at any level. Pieces don’t have to be extremely difficult—or completely perfect—to be worth sharing. Duets and shorter pieces will be very welcome too.

Afterwards, we’ll stay for coffee, soft drinks and cakes to share, making it a relaxed social occasion for pupils and their families.

Nobody needs to decide immediately, but now is a good time to begin thinking about a piece you might enjoy playing. Even pupils who are only just beginning may be able to take part, perhaps by performing a simple duet with me.

I’m looking forward to hearing everyone’s ideas and seeing where our music takes us this term!

I’m delighted to be planning our Autumn Piano Concert Showcase, taking place at The Firs School, Chester, on Sunday 15 November 2026 at 2.00pm.

This will be a deliberately informal, open-mic-style concert rather than a formal recital. The idea is to give everyone the chance to play in a relaxed and supportive setting, whether you’re performing in public for the first time or you’ve done plenty of concerts before. 

I’d love as many students as possible to take part. Over the next few weeks, have a think about pieces you genuinely enjoy playing and might like to share. They don’t need to be your hardest pieces or something you’re preparing for an exam. A piece you feel comfortable with and enjoy performing is often the best choice.

After the music, we’ll stay for coffee, drinks and cakes, so it can be a social occasion as well as a concert. If families would like to bring a cake or something sweet to share, that would be very welcome.

There’s no pressure to perform, but I hope lots of you will decide to have a go. Playing for other people is a brilliant part of learning an instrument, and this is intended to be a friendly opportunity to share the music you love with other students, families and friends.

Start thinking about what you might like to play, and we can begin getting your pieces concert-ready in lessons over the coming weeks.