RAY PONTIN PIANO
Fun lessons that promote progress and learningRay Pontin Piano
Piano lessons from the very young to mature adult.
Pricing
Piano lessons are charged at £36 per hour.
Typically, lessons are half an hour long. However, shorter times can be offered to young pupils, and those undertaking higher exam grades often need longer. All aspects of lessons can be tailored to meet individual needs.
Lesson Content
Piano technique and exam preparation
Practice and performance techniques
Musical interpretation and technical skills
Aural training and sight reading
Music history and theory
Composition
Awareness of styles and genres
Availabilty
Lessons are available several weekdays and evenings, subject to available spaces.
A little about Ray
Qualifications: BA (Hons); LRAM and ARCM piano teachers diplomas.
Ray Pontin is a very experienced and successful piano teacher based in Dorchester. He was Head of Music at the Thomas Hardye School for eleven years, and then at St Osmund’s Middle School for over twenty years. He has taught piano to people of all ages and abilities and has an extremely high exam pass-rate. Several ex-pupils are now professional musicians.
The piano keys are black and white but they sound like a million colors in your mind.
Maria Cristina Mena
There are eighty-eight keys on a piano and within that, an entire universe.
James Rhodes
Testimonials
I have been learning the piano with Mr Pontin for more than six years. He is a supporting and encouraging teacher. I have decided to stop taking piano exams now but continue to learn with Mr Pontin, as he has inspired me to play for the love of it
– Ollie (student)
My daughters aged 9 and 11 years have loved being taught by Mr Pontin. He is not only an excellent piano teacher with a broad and deep knowledge of music but also an inspirational individual who has always approached them with empathy, patience and encouragement during the lesson. Mr Pontin makes the lessons fun and engaging, and empowers them to play the pieces they like. He has also given great support and encouragement throughout their piano exams and helped them grow in confidence. I feel privileged that my daughters are on their journey to nurture their love for piano and music and he is an invaluable part of this.
– KT (parent)
We highly recommend Mr Pontin as a piano teacher for two main reasons. Firstly his passion for music is infectious and you just want to hang around him and capture some of his musical joy. Secondly, he is an outstanding teacher, fun and patient, as well as serious at helping each pupil become the best they can be. Our kids of all different ages are desperate each week to come to his lessons and learn from him.
– Ben and Emma (parents)
Piano Lessons
Many of my pupils take exams because it is a benchmark, provides a focus and the higher grades can be used to gain points for university entry. However, there are two caveats. Firstly, I do not enter pupils without their (or their parents) agreement, and I only enter them when I am confident of a good pass. Secondly, not all pupils respond well to exams, and some learn just for pleasure without the stress of external assessment: my lessons are not designed as an ?exam factory!?
The focus of lessons is learning with fun. Starting (or continuing) piano demands commitment but it shouldn’t have to be a ‘dreary slog’. Some pupils like to focus on composition, whereas others may be more interested in improvisation, for example. I feel it is part of my remit to introduce students to a variety of genres and approaches. I have taught from pre Grade 1 to post Grade 8 standard.
For younger students, I am in regular touch with parents to update them on progress. All pupils receive an annual report stating progress and describing strengths as well as areas needing further development.
Testimonials
I am one of Ray’s mature students and throughout the years as my piano teacher, he has taught me such a great deal. Ray is a patient instructor who is full of ideas to help his students improve their playing and confidence. He encourages creativity and teaches both the mechanics of the piano and an understanding of music as a whole, which includes chord structure and composition. He is a very experienced teacher and his students can feel secure in the knowledge that they are getting the best tuition.
– Moira (adult)
Our daughter is really enjoying her lessons with Ray, and is now much more confident, enjoys playing, and is progressing well.
– Rebecca (parent)
Mr Pontin is an amazing teacher. He has taught my daughter and continues to teach my son. He is patient, kind and able to tap into the wavelength of his students to make them believe in themselves. Everything you’d want from a teacher and more… oh and he doesn’t charge extra for the jokes!
– Alastair (parent)
Contact me
Please contact me for availability and more information.
