Rachel

From 2012 to 2015 I studied English at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge and graduated with a 2.1 BA (Hons). During this time I was also the Organ Scholar of the college and was heavily involved with the college chapel choir, taking on music administrative duties, touring both nationally and internationally and singing Soprano when I was not needed as an accompanist.
Prior to my time at Cambridge I gained five A levels at top grades, including an A* in English and an A in Music. From 2009-2012 I studied Organ, Piano, Composition and Music Theory at the Junior School of the Royal Northern College of Music and achieved ABRSM Grade 8 Distinction marks in Organ, Piano and Singing. Furthermore I was the accompanist for the Vocal Ensemble at the Junior RNCM and played for Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music examinations.
After graduating I worked as the Assistant Organist at Sidney Sussex College Cambridge and as a freelance private academic tutor in both English and Music. From 2017-2018 I worked with Graham Ross and John Rutter as the Administrator of Clare College Choir, Cambridge where I also sang soprano in the Choir. This experience led me to pursue singing more professionally and since 2019 I have enjoyed a busy performing, touring and recording schedule with top choral groups such as The Tallis Scholars, Tenebrae, Alamire and Siglo de Oro.
I moved to London at the beginning of 2024 however alongside my performance work I am also a Visiting Music Teacher of Organ and Piano at The Leys School, Cambridge since 2017. I enjoy variety in my work and therefore tutoring English and Music gives me the opportunity to exercise my academic interests alongside my performance work.

Tutoring Experience

After graduating from Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge in 2015 I worked as a private tutor in English and Music, teaching students around Cambridge aged between 11 and 18. My GCSE and A Level students were studying subjects from a variety of different exam boards, including AQA, OCR, Edexcel and the Cambridge IGCSE and thus I gained experience in teaching a variety of courses. I also tutored an international student in the iELTS. My students received excellent results in their examinations, many of them exceeding their predicted grades, and 50% of my GCSE English students achieved A* grades.
I am regularly invited back to my former school to give advice to those students who are interested in applying to Oxbridge. Students often ask me for guidance on studying Arts degrees at Cambridge and I am always happy to answer their questions to the best of my own knowledge and ability.
I am a current Visiting Music Teacher of organ and piano teacher at The Leys School, Cambridge and would be happy to offer private piano and organ lessons to more students.

Tutoring Approach

For those students preparing for exams I like to take a syllabus-based approach while also allowing time to further explore any specific areas of personal interest the student may have. If a student is not working towards exams but requires private tuition, my aim is to approach the subject enthusiastically and broadly, highlighting the vast range of approaches that students can take towards discovering new topics, practising new learning techniques and exploring their own personal interests within the subject in the most educationally enriching way possible.
If a student is having difficulties at school I believe I have the skills and personable approach to transform their learning into discovery and demonstrate this process to be appealing and exciting. Learning should never seem like an obstacle. Instead it should be seen as as something that enlightens a student to their own potential.