Gemma Watkins: Musician, Agent and Professional Peripatetic Teacher

Musical Background

Gemma Watkins is an accomplished and experienced piano instructor affiliated with prestigious institutions, including the London College of Music, the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), and Trinity College London. As a host and educator, she provides tuition and examination support through these esteemed organisations, fostering a high standard of musical education.

With over 20 years of experience, Gemma has taught as a Peripatetic Piano Teacher both independently and with organisations like Taunton Music Services and Emarty Academy. She offers flexible lessons at her home, in students’ homes, schools, and studios, tailoring her teaching approach to meet the unique needs of each student.

Gemma’s deep-rooted passion for music began early, inspired by her father, a dedicated music teacher and Church Minister. As a young musician, she participated in Junior Arts Festivals, performing as a soloist in duets and ensembles. She was also the lead violinist at Worle Comprehensive School and Churchill Sixth Form and performed with the SASSO Orchestra in Weston-Super-Mare.

Her early career included a five-year role at Keywest Music Shop, where she worked under the Technics Music Academy, laying a solid foundation for her later transition to private piano tuition.

Gemma holds a BSc (Hons) in Music and Psychology and has recently completed an MSc in Molecular Neuroscience, achieving merit in six units and awaiting final dissertation results in November 2024. She achieved her Grade 8 ABRSM piano.

Her live performances include appearances at the Harvest Home Festival with The Lipinski’s, the Leylines Festival, London Fashion Week, and various weddings, birthdays, and corporate events. She has collaborated with and performed for numerous agencies and venues across the UK, available both as a soloist and with various bands.

Gemma’s extensive collaborations include working with Gershom Brown (of The Kingdom Choir, known for performing at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding), Luke Potter (former Sony artist), Lady Nade (award-winning artist and Gregory Porter’s producer), and Dennis DeMille from “The Rat Packers” (as seen on Britain’s Got Talent). She has also worked alongside artists who performed with Rag’n’Bone Man, Sir Cliff Richard, Jools Holland, Will.i.am, Ellie Golding and Robbie Williams.

A specialist in Trinity College and London College of Music syllabi, Gemma has a 100% pass rate for all her students’ piano and music exams. Her students have excelled in Technics Music Academy Festivals, winning UK national final awards. She also has significant experience in organising concerts and student showcases through her role at Keywest Music Shop.

You will learn:

How to play the piano!
Calculative intelligence.
Practising methods
What you might be doing wrong and how to correct it
Discipline
The necessary technical, theoretical and practical knowledge, tools and skills to start your piano journey and then progress to be a successful, proficient player and performer
How to pass exams.

You will experience:

Practical musical expression of emotions through playing either for yourself and/or for others.
Confidence
Good communication skills
Co-ordination
Theoretical and practical understanding, knowledge and application.

You will be expected to:

Have fun!
It is recommended that as a parent, you should encourage and possibly sit with your child whilst they practise the piano for 10-20 minutes 5 days a week.
Engage, discuss, demonstrate and communicate.
Hints, tips, exercises and methods

My Teaching Approach:

Each individual should love and enjoy music while developing sound technical ability. To be pushed to achieve the goals as agreed by the tutor and pupil.

(CRB checked. Current DBS date of issue April 2023)