Dr. J.M. Ainscough

ABOUT ME

I give first-class professional tuition in piano, classical pipe organ, music theory, advanced composition plus choral conducting and choral rehearsal techniques. I have more than thirty-five years' successful experience in an extensive private practice and in prestigious public and other independent schools. My pupils often study with me for many years, flourishing musically, academically and personally. I have a notably high rate of success in preparation of young organ pupils for collegiate organ scholarships at both Oxford and Cambridge universities.

I can offer places to well-motivated adults and children, from absolute beginners up to those seeking music conservatoire and university entrance plus 'Advanced' Certificate and professional performance diplomas.

I work under my maiden name, although I am married and have a family, as all my qualifications have been gained under that name; also, having a surname beginning with "A" can be useful, especially when being listed as a teacher by music and instrumental retailers, etc.! My website URL plays on a Latin word which can be translated as "voice, instrument or organ", which seemed apposite.

MEETING THE PROSPECTIVE NEW PUPIL

Prospective private pupils are invited to contact me with a view to arrangement of a meeting wherein there is ample opportunity to discuss aims and objectives and to ask any questions which they may wish to put forward. This consultation is without cost and obligation and is most definitely not a formal audition, but, given the limited number of places available in a representative year, I will look for some evidence of the applicant's potential plus a high level of motivation and commitment. An opportunity to play the piano at such a meeting is offered to prospective new pupils who have prior experience, but this should not regard this as being compulsory.

MY TEACHING BASE

I am in the midst of a house move in the Leatherhead area of the County of Surrey, in South-East England, near Junctions Nine and Ten of the M25 London orbital motorway, the A3 London-Portsmouth Road and the A24 London-Worthing Road; both London Heathrow (LHR/EGLL) and London Gatwick (LGW/EGKK) airports are approximately thirty minutes' drive from Leatherhead. Trains from London (Waterloo and Victoria) for Dorking, Horsham and Guildford call at Ashtead and Leatherhead; trains from London (Waterloo) for Guildford call at Oxshott; trains on the Redhill-Guildford-Reading line call at Dorking (Deepdene), close by the main Dorking station.

CATCHMENT AREA

My substantial pupil roster draws upon a large geographical area which, principally, includes South-West London, the former County of Middlesex and Surrey. Pupils have come to me in recent times from Ashtead, Banstead, Barnes, Betchworth, Binscombe, Brockham, Cambridge, Cobham, Chobham, Claygate, Crawley, Dorking, Ealing, East Horsley, East Molesey, Effingham, Epsom, Farnborough (Hampshire), Fetcham, Grayshott, Great Bookham, Hampton, Headley, Kingston-upon-Thames, Leatherhead, Mickleham, Milford, New Malden, Oxshott, Rainham (Essex), Raynes Park, Reigate, Redhill, Shamley Green, Staines, Streatham, Surbiton, Sutton, Tadworth, Teddington, Thames Ditton, Thornton Heath, Twickenham, Uxbridge, Walton-on-Thames, Walton-on-the-Hill, West Byfleet, West Horsley, Westcott, Westonbirt and Weybridge. My pupils have been (and are) of many different nationalities, drawn from across the world, with a number coming from cultures beyond that of Western Europe.

PROFESSIONAL BODIES, FEES & POSITIVE VETTING

I may be able to help fulfil your musical needs and aspirations. Please contact me to discuss your musical requirements. Fees are based on the standard professional scales recommended by the Royal School of Church Music, the Royal College of Organists and the Incorporated Society of Musicians (which latter organisation elected me as an accredited member of its Register of Private Professional Teachers after having validated all of my academic credentials, subjected my modus operandi to exhaustive scrutiny and having obtained appropriate references from within the profession). I have a current DBS Enhanced Disclosure certificate.