Nigel Pitceathly
Piano Tuition To Fulfil Your Potential
Nigel Pitceathly trained as a pianist and teacher at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. The main focus for his career has been teaching exceptional pupils to maximise their pianistic potential.
He was Head of Keyboard Studies at Chetham's School of Music in Manchester for almost 20 years. In that time he taught some of the most gifted childen in the UK.
Nigel retired in 2001. Since then he has taught individual pupils with talent and passion for the piano. He has a particular interest in teaching adult pupils who seek to rediscover an interest that can be a fulfilling activity in retirement or an opportunity to develop an accomplishment and find a source of self expression away from the demands of working life.
'Laying the Foundations' Documentary Screenshots
Methodology
Nigel trained with Polish concert pianist and teacher, Ryszard Bakst at the Royal Northern College of Music. Professor Bakst studied with Heinrich Neuhaus and adopted his philosophy and approach to teaching. Nigel is also committed to the Russian teaching methodology that acknowledges the physicality inherent in pianism and the demands of the classical repertoire.
He 'trains' pupils to develop finger strength. This strength, combined with arms and shoulders that are totally relaxed allows a pianist to use the weight of the arms and body and produce sound that can be powerful or delicate but because it is unforced it is never hard or ugly. A pianist who can produce depth of sound without straining has the potential then to give full expression to the interpretation of the music.
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Background
In Summary
1964 - 1969
Early musical education at Kings School Canterbury. Studied piano with Ronald Smith.
1970 - 1974
Royal Manchester and Royal Northern College of Music Manchester.
Qualifications - piano performance and teaching.
A.R.M.C.M - Teacher, A.R.N.C.M - Performer, G.R.N.C.M
1976 - 2001
Teacher and Head of Keyboard studies at Chetham's School of Music Manchester.
Footnotes
1997 Channel 4 documentary 'Laying the Foundations'. Documentary series about Chetham's School created by Tamsin Day Lewis. One episode followed the daily work of Nigel and his pupils.
Contact Nigel
Please use this contact form to book lessons or make general enquiries.