DM Piano Tuition
ABOUT ME
Donna Mercer
Based in Hastings, East Sussex, I have twelve years' experience in teaching piano, to people of a variety of ages and educational backgrounds. As well as teaching, I perform with The Rosy Hoydens, participate in community theatre, play RPGs and board-games, and enjoy the outdoors.
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Many of my students come from the home-ed community. I home-educated my own children throughout their primary and secondary years, and although they've finally moved on now, my teaching style is very much coloured by my home-ed experience; I aim to be flexible and inclusive, and provide plenty of opportunities for games, self-expression, and creativity, whilst exploring all the fundamental principles of theory and technique. Students may play solely for their own enjoyment, or they may choose to work towards exams or performances.
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I always tailor and adjust lessons to each student's needs, preferences, and learning-styles, and I have personal and professional experience with neurodivergent children and adults. I continually familiarise myself with newer methods in addition to the more traditional ones, and take opportunities for training whenever possible - most recently I attended a session on teaching people with hypermobility disorders.
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I have a Grade 8 (Distinction) in both piano and music-theatre, and specialised in music for my BA (Hons) degree, which included a module with Trinity Laban Conservatoire: Certificate in the Practice of Music Making.
Enhanced DBS Certificate available on request.
Lessons
You can expect to develop technical and creative skills through playing, reading and writing music, games, improvisation, listening activities, and more. You must be able to access a piano or keyboard with full-size keys in order to practise between lessons.
Half-hour lessons paid weekly are charged at £22, with discounts available for longer lessons and block bookings.
Buddy lessons available if you'd like to share with one or more friends, please contact me to discuss details.
Prospective students will be invited to a free trial lesson, lasting approximately 20 minutes.