Experienced Music Tutor Specialising in Woodwind and Piano
My Musical Life
My musical journey began at the age of 9 when I started flute lessons at school. Picking up the clarinet at 12 and the saxophone at 14, I was able to gain regular pit-band work in Musical Theatre shows in local theatres as a multi-instrumentalist. As a flautist and clarinetist, I performed in local county orchestras and ensembles alongside studying for a Performance Diploma at 17.
After completing under-graduate and post-graduate degrees in Music, I became set on a career in Secondary Music teaching. Alongside a 31 year career in the classroom, I have performed in a semi-professional Swing band for 30 years and been the Musical Director for countless Musical Theatre shows.
In addition to my mainstream career as a Secondary Head of Music, I have also been proud to teach hundreds of private students, seeing many of them to grades 7 and 8 level.
My Musical Ethos
I believe Music should be exciting, practical and immediately rewarding. Typically, my lessons are broken up into:
- Warm-ups: which focus upon developing an aspect of technique
- Sight-reading or duets: to develop musical literacy and ensemble skills
- Core study: working on exam pieces and repertoire
- Mock performance: core study piece(s) are combined with a piano accompaniment to provide a sense of performance/exam preparation.
Lesson notes are kept in a student notebook so the student/parent can review targets for the next lesson
Testimonials
01
Parent
My daughter has been having clarinet lessons with Vic for the past few years and she was successful in gaining Grade 5. She has since switched to alto sax and is really enjoying the variety of music styles she covers in lessons. Vic has a real passion for music and this is clear in her approach to lessons. Vic's enthusiasm and encouragement shine through. My daughter has improved in confidence and ability in both clarinet and saxophone thanks to the continued support and inspiration she continues to receive. Cannot recommend highly enough!
02
Student
Mrs Chapman has been an absolutey fantastic flute teacher and a hugely positive influence throughout my musical journey. She has supported and encouraged me through my ABRSM flute grades and through my GCSE Music.
Her lessons are always inspiring and fun and she has an ability to make learning interesting while still encouraging me to do my best. She has provided exactly the right balance of challenge, encouragement and support especially during the demands of GCSE Music.
Mrs Chapman is an exceptional teacher who genuinely gets the best out of me while ensuring that I continue to enjoy music. I am very grateful for all the help she has given me and would absolutely recommend her.
03
Parent
5 star teacher, amazing.
My recommendation for Vic cannot come highly enough. She is kind and compassionate and has an incredible ability to not only develop her students' knowledge, creativity, skills and techniques but also their confidence.
Vic taught my daughter both flute and saxophone and successfully prepared her (and her parents !) for her University auditions. This was done with honesty, clarity and high expectations, always knowing when to encourage and when to challenge.
My daughter is now off to study Music at Sheffield University and this is largely thanks to Vic's support, guidance and outstanding teaching.
Thank you Vic, for everything you have done. We couldn't recommend you highly enough!
04
Parent
My daughter really enjoyed her saxophone lessons. It was great to do something different after being at school all day and she was always greeted with a warm welcome. She made good progress through her exams but also had fun playing duets and pieces she knew. Would definitely recommend Victoria.
05
Parent
My daughter loved her lessons. It was a delight to listen to her playing such a variety of music and hearing her progress. Vic's knowledge and enthusiasm definitely inspired her to keep playing- thank you!
06
Student
I really enjoyed my clarinet lessons with Mrs Chapman. She was always enthusiastic and passionate no matter if we were practicing high level pieces or playing fun duets at the end of a lesson!
07
Parent
Vic has been teaching J since primary school, supporting her through multiple exams with unfailing expertise and encouragement. J looks forward to every lesson and has built a fantastic relationship with her. Vic's personal approach is wonderful, and we recommend her without hesitation.
08
Student
My passion and enthusiasm for learning the clarinet have been reignited by Mrs Chapman. Her joy in teaching and playing along with me gives me more confidence. Her feedback after each lesson means I am clear about what I need to do to improve. I look forward to Wednesday evenings!
09
Parent
Three of my children have been taught by Mrs Chapman and all say she is patient and encouraging and she is up to date with current secondary level education and some higher level music pathways. We have had both clarinet and flute lessons and love that she regularly duets with them to encourage sight-reading and plays piano accompaniment as they learn pieces. She teaches aural skills and runs mock exams. Our exam results (ABRSM and Trinity) have been excellent under Mrs Chapman. I would highly recommend her as a Music Teacher.
10
Student
Mrs Chapman was a welcoming, lovely clarinet teacher, and GCSE teacher. She was very patient and helped me with my tone and taught me different fingering which is necessary in harder grades. We often did duets which I very much enjoyed as they helped me with my sight-reading and playing with others. She would always have her clarinet in lessons and would play sections of a piece first, which allowed me to listen to how it should be played and she could show me her techniques which could help. If my piece had a piano accompaniment she would play it, which is very useful for preparing for exams. I have done many exams with Mrs Chapman and all have been successful with the outcome I wanted.