Supporting your Musical Journey

As much as I love sharing my passion for music with my own students, it is a great privilege to share the musical journeys of other instrumental teachers too. When I started teaching the world was a very different place. In the early days, I fell into the trap of teaching only as I’d been taught, finding myself stuck on the exam treadmill, and using the books I’d learnt from myself. I also found myself without boundaries, dealing constantly with late-payers, cancellations, reschedules, and no time to rest myself. Perhaps those are some of the things which are challenging you right now?

My approach

Our teaching journeys are never complete - we’re all still learning - but over the past 25 years, I’ve developed an approach to teaching which is shaped by each individual student. I don’t believe there is a single “right” way - instead, I work together with my students to explore the music, skills, and techniques that will help them grow and enjoy playing or singing for the rest of their lives. My focus is always on music-making first, creating space for curiosity, creativity, and imagination.

Similarly, I don’t believe there is a “right” way to teach - I work with instrumental teachers at many stages on their musical journey - some are just starting out, but some have been teaching for many years. Each individual teacher brings their own experiences, values, interests and challenges, and as a mentor, I will meet you wherever you find yourself on that journey.

What if we could teach music in a way that honours the past, embraces creativity, and lets our students - and ourselves - grow both as individuals and musicians? My approach to teaching isn’t about abandoning structure - it’s about reimagining it - gently, purposefully, together.

The Reimagined Studio: A Shared Journey

I offer a bespoke, structured mentoring experience for music teachers seeking to nurture their teaching in a way that is creative, student-centred, and aligned with slower, more sustainable values. It’s gentle but purposeful, with room for reflection, growth, and practical application.

I love to think of my mentoring as a retreat - gentle, reflective, and grounded in the belief that teaching is a creative, evolving journey. I will walk alongside you as you reimagine your teaching and studio, with clarity, courage, and creativity.

This isn’t about becoming busier or more ‘successful’ in a traditional sense. This is about becoming more rooted in who you are as a teacher and nurturing a creative, calm, and meaningful studio - one where both you and your students can thrive.

The Reimagined Studio is a retreat-style mentoring experience - a shared journey on which we can rediscover the joy and purpose of teaching, whichever season of life you are in - so that you, like your students, can grow as both a teacher and an individual.

What can we cover?

The Reimagined Studio is guided by you. We can use our time walking together in a way which nurtures your teaching and your studio in its current season. At the start of each retreat, we’ll explore some gentle focus areas, but here are a few things I really enjoy sharing:

  • Reimagining your studio values

  • Slow and sustainable teaching in a fast world

  • Developing creative, student-led lessons

  • Gentle business practices (pricing, scheduling, communications)

  • Reframing your role as a teacher

  • Nurturing teacher well-being and setting boundaries

I offer two online mentoring retreats, both focussed on what I have called The Reimagined Studio.

  • A soft, focused introduction to reimagining your teaching practice. Ideal if you’re seeking clarity and fresh inspiration but want to keep the commitment manageable. Over four weeks, we’ll explore your unique challenges and hopes, setting gentle intentions to nurture creativity and student-centred teaching. This shorter journey offers reflective prompts, thoughtful exchanges, and tailored guidance, all designed to fit your busy schedule with flexible, email-based support.

    What’s included:

    • Welcome questionnaire to explore your teaching context and intentions

    • Three thoughtfully crafted email exchanges spread over four weeks to set a focus for each week of the retreat

    • Reflective prompts tailored to your unique challenges and goals

    • Personalised guidance and encouragement in every reply

    • Light-touch ongoing email support

    • A final reflection email with tailored next steps and resources to support your ongoing journey

    • Shared Google Doc

    • WhatsApp chat

    Price: £175

  • A more immersive and transformative mentoring experience. This 12-week cycle offers a rich, paced journey to reimagine and reshape your teaching studio from the ground up. Together, we’ll dive deeper into your values, studio rhythms, and creative approaches, building sustainable practices that honour both you and your students. Through structured monthly reflections, ongoing email conversations, and a private space for quick check-ins, this mentoring offers a companioned journey towards lasting change, held with kindness and expert insight.

    What’s included:

    • Welcome questionnaire and initial goal-setting reflection to shape your mentoring journey

    • Three in-depth monthly mentoring cycles, each with:

      • A reflective email from me to prompt new thinking and creativity, and to set a focus for each month

      • Your thoughtful response, sharing progress, reflections, or questions

      • A detailed, personalised reply offering insights, resources, and encouragement

    • Light-touch ongoing email support

    • A comprehensive wrap-up email summarising your journey, highlighting growth, and suggesting nourishing next steps

    • Shared Google Doc

    • WhatsApp chat

    Price:  £425 (or 3 x £145 monthly payments)

Is this mentoring for you?

These mentoring retreats may be a good fit for you if:

  • You’re a music teacher who feels a little weary, stuck, or quietly dissatisfied - even though you care deeply about your students.

  • You want to teach in a way that feels more creative, student-centred, and human, rather than driven solely by exams or external expectations.

  • You’re open to reflection and gentle change, and are willing to think thoughtfully about your practice rather than looking for quick fixes or rigid formulas.

  • You value depth over speed, and are looking for sustainable ways to teach that honour both your students and your own wellbeing.

  • You’d like thoughtful support with both teaching and the practical realities of studio life - boundaries, communication, pricing, or rhythms of work.

  • You’re drawn to the idea of a shared journey: walking alongside someone with experience, curiosity, and care, rather than being “told what to do”.

And this may not be the right fit if…

  • You’re primarily looking for exam strategies, syllabus shortcuts, or prescriptive teaching systems.

  • You want a highly structured course with fixed outcomes and step-by-step instructions.

  • You’re not currently able to make space for reflection or change, however small.

A gentle reassurance

You don’t need to have everything figured out before you begin. Many teachers come to this work unsure of what they need - only knowing that something wants to shift. That’s more than enough to start.

“Thanks for all your support, I really mean that, I couldn't have got this far without you!”

~ Victoria (piano teacher)

“David provided wonderful, insightful feedback, his support was invaluable. Highly recommended!”

~ Becky (piano teacher)

A gentle next step

Seeking support as a teacher can feel surprisingly vulnerable. It can stir doubts, questions, and a sense that investing in yourself is somehow indulgent or unnecessary - especially in a profession that so often asks us to give without replenishing. But stepping into a mentoring retreat is not a sign of weakness or failure; it’s an act of care, intention, and quiet courage.

If you find yourself longing for clarity, encouragement, and a more grounded way of teaching - one that honours both your students and yourself - The Reimagined Studio may offer the space you’ve been missing. I would love to journey alongside you for a season, at a pace that feels gentle and human.

If this resonates, you’re warmly invited to take the next step - why not get in touch to see if this journey feels right for you?

Get in touch