top of page

TUTOR

I have over 25 years experience as a teacher, coach and mentor working with musicians at every stage of their musical development. 

I was clarinet tutor at Westminster Cathedral Choir School for 10 years and have been Head of Woodwind and Percussion at Highgate School since 2011. I have also been a clarinet tutor and Visiting Lecturer in Performance at the Royal Holloway University of London and mentor to postgraduate students at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Drama.

I regularly give masterclasses and coach chamber music, direct Symphony Orchestra sectionals at Imperial College, London and have a long-standing connection with the Royal Academy of Music. I have acted as a musical Ambassador internationally giving masterclasses in China, India, Turkey and in 2015 I was invited to coach the Palestine Youth Orchestra in Jordan alongside members of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. I have been invited twice to coach and mentor on the Aldeburgh Young Musicians scheme at Snape Maltings.  In recent years I have acted as adjudicator for numerous Young Musician of the Year competitions including those at the Forest School, City of London School for Girls and for the Royal Over-Seas League Music Competition, of which I am an alumnus. In 2020 I was invited to work on new compositions for solo clarinet and chamber ensembles with the fantastically talented pupils at the Yehudi Menuhin School. I am thrilled to be returning again in 2021.

My private teaching practice in clarinet, chamber music and music theory is based in North London and I also conduct remote lessons via Zoom.

To book a consultation lesson or for more information drop me a line

Check out my YouTube channel for my tips and tricks.

Current partners include:

Royal Academy of Music, London

Royal Holloway University of London

Trinity LABAN Conservatoire of Music and Drama

Oxford University

Imperial College Symphony Orchestra

Chipping Campden Festival Academy Orchestra

Sinfonia Tamesa

Aldeburgh Young Musicians

The Yehudi Menuhin School

Quotes:

Stuart taught me the clarinet privately for five years. I started as a beginner and had finished my Grade 8 with Distinction by the end of the five years thanks to Stuart's amazing teaching. Stuart highlighted the importance of technique from an early age, always tailoring repertoire to the relevant points in a way that was fun and challenging. Such technique included the key aspects of clarinet playing including embouchure, blowing between different registers and co-ordination between finger and tongue. He does not over-emphasise music exams, instead exploring and enjoying a wide range of repertoire. In lessons we would focus on certain pieces, going over technical and musical areas for improvement, and Stuart would sometimes assign a study that covered the relevant technical point. Stuart emphasised the importance of well-focused practice, which really bore fruit in my playing later on in life. Stuart made me look forward to lessons due to his warm and humorous character and due to the way we would explore the music together.

Robert W

Stuart is a fantastic teacher who has encouraged and inspired me for over ten years now. I started with very little knowledge of music and no technical skill and am now loving playing in an orchestra and in trios. He is a fun teacher, hugely knowledgable and a wonderful musician in his own right. Always pushing the boundaries with new ideas to get the most out of practice. I can't recommend him highly enough!

Julia RB

Stuart is without doubt one of the most inspiring, imaginative and helpful teachers I've ever had the privilege to learn with. Aside from being an exceptional clarinettist, he is highly encouraging and makes lessons fun and accessible; he really understands how to teach. I was lucky enough to receive second-study lessons with Stuart at University, and then chose to continue learning with him beyond my degree. I have recommended Stuart to friends and professional woodwind colleagues many times, who in turn have benefitted from his expertise.

Jack B

Stuart is a truly excellent and inspiring teacher. He combines mastery of his craft with a warm, empathetic manner, ensuring that his lessons are always enjoyable and inspiring. His creative approach also ensures that he brings ideas and suggestions that really take your playing forwards. As a clarinet student of Stuart's over several years, I can highly recommend him as a teacher.

Julia W

bottom of page