Mindful Piano, is an established piano studio based in Ely and run by myself, Brian Partridge, a local piano teacher in Ely and a Professional Member of the European Piano Teachers Association. I am passionate about music having played both Piano and Tuba since my early years and music has been my lifetime hobby (although I nearly joined the RAF as a bandsman when I was 18). I am now semi retired and wish to share my passion through teaching piano.

First and foremost I consider myself to be a musician. The tuba was my main instrument when I was younger. I played in a number of brass bands, a jazz band, a German Oompah Band and in the Hampshire County Youth Orchestra. I have played at the Albert Hall, in Sydney Opera House with the youth orchestra, Colston Hall in Bristol as well as events such as the Cologne Carnival. I am a member of   RAF Wyton Area Voluntary Band and assist other brass bands such as the Newmarket Town Band, Soham Comrades Band and also play with the Ely Sinfonia. I obtained Grade 8 with the distinction on the tuba and, I am still not sure why, turned down an offer of an interview at the Royal Academy of Music.

I have also played piano and organ since my early years. I obtained Grade 7 on the piano in November 2015 and play at Grade 8 level. I am still learning but see this as a great attribute as I can understand problems faced by students and can offer practical solutions. At the moment I only teach beginner and intermediate level pianists but can refer more advanced pianists to other local teachers. I have been taught by Ilga Pitkevica, the UK Regional Organiser for Cambridge and a Committee Member of the European Piano Teachers Association (EPTA) whose purpose is to raise the standard of piano teaching, piano performance and general musicianship in the UK. I am a Professional member of EPTA and benefit from opportunities for professional development, their public liability insurance  and I also am bound by and comply with their code of conduct and guidelines.

I take my own professional development very seriously and update myself through various channels – these include:

• Practising the Piano on-line academy – this features a comprehensive library of lessons, articles and resources, the Practising the Piano Online Academy is the ultimate online resource for pianists, teachers and anyone seeking to master the piano. I use many of these resources in my lessons

• I also keep up to date by reading journals such as the Pianist, Piano Journal and Piano Professional

• The Curious Piano Teachers – I was a member of this community for 4 years which is a community for piano teachers, who want to improve their teaching skills and achieve their full potential and I became a certified curious piano teacher.

Prior to my semi retirement, I have been a qualified solicitor, a Director of two Local Authorities and have run my own consultancy business. My non music qualifications are a Bachelor of Laws, a Masters in Business Administration and a Diploma in Management Consultancy.

Other hobbies of mine include walking and running (I completed the Race to the King in 2016 – a double marathon over two days along the South Downs Way), cycling (I completed John O’Groats to Lands End in 9 days in 2010), kayaking (Snettisham to Skegness and back over 2 days), as well as listening to music, reading and most racket sports.