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[SarahSax1986]

Age: 15

I always had you down as someone much older...

Best do my own now....

Name: 'Sarah'
Age: 16
Location: Stokei-sh on Trent-ish
Instruments: Piano, Sax, Trombone, Flute.

Age:

8 - Started piano
9 - Started trombone
11 - Started Clarinet
14 - Swapped Clarinet for Sax
15 - Started flute
16 - Preparing for Grade 8 Sax, Grade 6 Piano, Grade 6 Theory

[mrbouffant]

Me

Name: Bernard Olivers-Uffant
Age: 30-something
Wives: 2
Children: Many
Location: Darn Sarf, UK
Instruments: Pf, Org, Clarinet (i.e. purchased one)

Age

7 - Started Pf lessons, sang in the church quire
10 - Started playing Org
12 - Finished Pf (gr5) and theory (gr5) and Org, left the church quire
15 - Started Pf and Org again, joined the church quire again
16 - Pf gr6, gr7 and gr8
18 - 22 University degree
24 - Married
26 - two organ lessons
28 - Unmarried
29 - kid 1, remarried
30something got me own quire and associated organ, kid 2, gr8 org
30something+1 DipABRSM, four more organ lessons, LRSM
30something+2 first half of ARCO, appointed organ scholar at Bangor Cathedral - position not taken up
30something+4 ATCL, second half of ARCO, ALCM, kid 3
30something+5 LTCL, LLCM, started OU Music MA, started clarinet lessons, finished clarinet lessons, gr6 theory
30something+6 gr7 and gr8 theory, FRSM, started singing lessons, finished singing lessons, gr8 prac mus, kid 4

Futures

Finish the MA, would love to do FLCM, FTCL and FRCO, perhaps an MMus, gr1 clarinet

Personal Credo

Never take things too seriously. Tease the pompous. Postnominals are good (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[Dulciana]

Hi people!

I'm female, early 40's, separated with 4 children, 2 cats, one large dog, 20-something piano pupils, and a slimy thing that lives in a tank and eats lettuce. It was only meant to live for a year or two, but looks likely to outlive us all.

Started playing piano at about 7 or 8, but never did exams. Social life took over in mid-teens, but I went back to it as an adult when I found myself teaching the children of two friends. Quickly got a Grade 8 distinction and ALCM performance. Tried (too quickly) to add LLCM perfomance, but cracked up with spending every waking hour at the piano so never got as far as the exam - would still like to some day when the children learn to cook and clean (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ill.gif) , or when I win the lottery and can afford to pay somebody else to do same! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ill.gif)

Somewhere along the line I found myself playing the organ, and thoroughly enjoy it, but wonder if I'll ever have the time to really focus on it properly. I've had a few terms of lessons, but had to defer for a while because of family commitments. I can get by pretty well as long as I only use the pedals once in a blue moon, or for something fairly simple. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

[BusyBee]

Hi all,

Encouraged to post although as some might have already gathered I'm quite shy at putting personal details on the forum. Building my confidence gradually.

I'll start from Age 13 otherwise it will take ages! By the way I'm female.

Age 13 - went to a ballet boarding school in Kent - entirely at my own risk!
Age 16 - left ballet school in Kent and passed an audition for the Urdang Academy of Ballet and Performing Arts in London (lots of ex-dancers on the forums I've noticed)
Apprentice with London City Ballet for two weeks - second swan on the left in Act 11 Swan Lake. Totally over-awed me and almost fell over the wires and the side of the stage. Director leaping about in the wings telling me to move back, move back....got it sorted by the fifth night but.....the rest is history !!
Page 'boy' at Sadler's Wells Theatre in Northern Ballet Theatre's 'Cinderella' (bringing on the magic coach with three others - got picture in 'Dancing Times').
Meanwhile I passed loads of piano and theory exams - mainly LCM.
Age 20 - decided that the hard touring world of ballet was not for me and started the job I knew was right all along and still love today - piano teaching - following in my parents footsteps (or perhaps I should say fingerprints)!
Age 24 - passed the ALCM piano performance and decided to sit the AB Grade 7 and missed a distinction because of my aural.
Age 30 - got married and became a step-mother (not from Snow White).
Age 33 to last year - OU student from stratch. Grade 8 AB piano. Many piano courses. MMM, EPTA, Chets Summer School. BAHons -First Class. MA(Mus) Distinction (how I don't know). DipABRSM (PfT) - sat the day after my MA result. I got through because I was on cloud 9 and there was nothing the examiners could do to scare me!
Now - time to chill and decide what course to do next.....

[Bing]

Oh well, here goes:

Age 2 - started violin and piano
Age 10 - took G8 violin and started boarding at a Stage School in Herts.
Ae 12 - danced with Royal Festival Ballet in Nutcracker and La Sylphide
Ages 10-14 - learnt guitar/oboe/recorder and took various grades
Age 14 - took G8 piano; left boarding school of my own volition and went to local grammar school.
Age 16 - ALCM piano
Age 18-21 - BA Hons in Music. Quit Music.
Age 21 - joined RAF as a pilot.
Age 24 - Married
Age 27 - Unmarried
Age 32 - Married again (better this time)
Age 27-36 - spent FAR too much time in unpleasant hot, sandy countries.
Age 36 - Unquit music - got a piano teacher - started playing again - auditioned for Music College for MMus
Age 37 - took LRSM (waiting on results but not confident).....start music college in Sept! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[idiotmatthew]

Name: Matty
Age: 20
Home Country: Hong Kong
Education: Born in HK - Secondary 5; UK 6th form and university

Third year "engineering" student with business and finanace. 2008 BA (Hons), 2009 MEng, and 2011 a "free upgrade" from BA (Hons) to MA.




Age 4/5 - started piano lesson
Primary 3/4 - Grade 2 Piano
Primary 5/6 - Grade 4 Piano
Secondary 1/2 - Grade 6 Piano
Secondary 3 - Grade 7 Piano, Grade 6 alto recorder and Grade 5 soprano recorder. Then gave up recorder
Secondary 4 - Grade 8 Piano
Secondary 5 - Public exams - stopped everything

Left HK school for UK sixth form

Lower sixth - Randomly started learning teaching dipabrms, took grade 6 theory
Upper sixth - wrote the teaching dip essay in 1 week as i didn't realise the deadline was so early in Hong Kong... passed the exam.

Uni 1st year - Half given up playing the piano
Uni 2nd year - 2/3 given up playing the piano
Uni 3rd year - will not play the piano becos of the workload and projects etc


Aim:

1. Graduate uni asap!
2. Pick up learning the piano again and to force myself to progress further. Maybe re-start recorder again at least to grade 8 so might be useful when teaching in the future.
3. Will most likely be working in business sector, i-bank. Maybe some sort of engineering management, but not too likely. May do some part time teaching if I feel my daytime job is not tiring enough..
4. Earn enough money that I do not need to worry about the prices when buying things.
5 Work only 4 days a week with Sat, Sun and Wed off! Start work at 9am is too early - 11am would be cool.

Keep dreaming.................................

[davidyko]

Hm! Nice thread.

Name: David
Age: 15
Currently residing in: San Francisco, CA, USA
Education: will be in 10th grade in 4 days.

Age 4: Started Piano
Age 8: Changed teacher to current teacher
Age 9: Grade 5 Theory (81/100)
Age 10: Grade 8 Piano (130/150)
Age 13: Grade 8 Theory (86/100)

And piano competitions, of course, from age 8. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Lots of fun.

[LadyOrchestra]

Hey, davidyko, we have the same quote at the signature!!!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[sags_3]

Removed

[DaisyChain]

Name: Too many to choose from!
Age: Mid 40's
From: Kent
Family: Three sisters (one of whom is my twin). Mum and step-dad. Numerous nieces/ great nieces. One Nephew (Charlie!!)
Marital Status: Come on fellas, I'm not that bad!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Favourite Author: Thomas Hardy
Favourite Actor: Alan Bates
Favourite Film: One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest.
Favourite Book: Of Mice and Men
Favourite Composer: I think that might be Beethoven!!!
Favourite Colour: Red
Favourite place for holiday: Austria

Started piano lessons aged 12. Gave up piano lessons aged 13. Teacher moved away and I wouldn't go to anyone else.

Various jobs along the way, but for last 23 years caring/nursing/Manager for people with Learning Disabilities.

Started piano again in July 2002.

Piano Grades 1-6. Resitting Grade 7 next Spring. Hoping to do Grade 8 next Autumn.
Theory Grades 1-7. Grade 8 next Summer/ Autumn.

Diploma in Music (Open Uni) in 2005.

Started teaching almost two years ago. Have 16 students.

Started singing lessons in March this year. Took Grade 1 in July. Passed with Merit! Grade 2 this Autumn.

Future: Complete BA (Hons), do MMus, then concentrate on ultimate aim of Music Therapy.

[Kiri_flute]

-Name: Kiri
-Age: 13
-From: Lincolnshire
-Occupation: Student
-1st Instrument: Flute
-2nd Instrument: Guitar
-Career Goal: Forensic Chemist

Musical History

- Started Guitar and Flute at the age of 7.
- Grade 1 Flute with ABRSM at the age of 10.
- Debut Grade Guitar (Rockschool) at 12
- Grade 3 Flute and Grade 1 guitar at 13

Future:

-Continue with graded exams. I'd love to get Grade 8, or maybe even a diploma - eventually.
-Study either Forensic and Analytical Chemistry, or Music at University.

[keeponsinging]

Name: starts with J. (I'm paranoid about being found on here)
Age:16
Gender:Female
Schooling: going into lower 6th waiting for my GCSE results.

Music
I play the flute, piano and sing. I love flute and singing best.

age6/7: started the flute
age:7-14:Worked my way up to grade 5 flute
age 15: Grade 6
Age 16: working towards grade 8 flute

Ive sung since like forever but
age 10: was in a young opera group untill it shut down
age 11: started singing lessons
age 11-15: worked my way up to grade 5 and passed it last year
age 16: took grade 6 singing in june for which i am awaiting results. Starting work on grade 8

age 14:started piano
age 14: grade 1
age 15: grade 2
age 16: working towards grade 3

age 16: took GCSE music to which i get results on Thursday

The future....
Well i'm hoping either
a) be an actress i'd love to go into west end. Have just send off an email to casting person at the sound of music at the palladium and they actually replied and its being forwarded to someone. But they no nothign about me!
b) maybe a psychiatrist.

I want to get to grade 8 singing and piano and hopefully grade 5 piano. I'd love to do flute and singing diplomas.

[Devil_Fiddler]

Name: Anna
Age: 15
Gender: Female
From: Hampshire
Education: Going in to year 11

Music

• Played recorder for a bit aged about 5 or 6, but soon gave up
• Started piano lessons aged 7
• Started violin lessons aged 8
• Always sung in school choirs where available
• Joined Andover Youth Choir aged 10
• Moved up to Andover Youth Choir aged 11
• Played with Andover Chamber String Orchestra for a while aged 11/12
• Went to Summers Cool for the first time, amazing week. Been back every year since (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
• Joined Andover Light Orchestra aged 14
• Joined the Wyvern Dance Band 3 years ago and became interested in folk music and dance
• Aged 13 joined the Caravan and Camping Club Folk Song and Dance division
• December 06 started playing tenor in the school steel band
• Aged 15, now been accepted in to HCYO string orchestra (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Somewhere along the way I also started playing descant and then tenor recorders with my family and then with a small ensemble. Now grade 4/5ish standard. Now working towards grade 8 piano, grade 7 or 8 violin and GCSE music (pred. grade - A*)

Other
Apart from music I enjoy camping, cycling, canal boating, folk dancing and goat walking!! Currently working towards GCSEs in English, English lit., Maths, Science, Citizenship, ICT, Music, Geography, French and History

Future Goals

• To get good GCSE grades
• To get on to the Hampshire Specialist Music course at Peter Symonds College
• To become a professional musician or music teacher
• To re-visit Krakow, Poland, hopefully in 2010
• To joint own a canal boat with my cousin
• To continue to play folk music and do folk dance and to keep our folk section going and encourage younger people to join.

Well that's me!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy.gif)

[Deborah]

30something+5 ...started clarinet lessons, finished clarinet lessons...

Futures... gr1 clarinet

Who on earth would be mad enough to consider giving mrbouffant clarinet lessons? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Suppose it's my turn now, so here goes:

Name: Deborah
Age: Old enough to know better
Gender: Female
Lives: Monsalvat, Valhalla. Go straight across the rainbow bridge, you can't miss it. Oh, OK then, Surrey.
Marital status: Married for nearly 9 years
Instruments: Clarinet (passed the DipABRSM playing bits, probably failed viva again last month (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)), piano (Grade VII in 1993, now having lessons again), singing (for fun in Valhalla Choral Society and at Valhalla Parish Church), recorder (occasionally).

Music stuff leading into potted biography: Started recorder at about five or six (yay for The School Recorder Book 1), enjoyed it and wanted to learn another instrument. I wasn't allowed to learn the piano (too big and expensive) or guitar (school guitar teacher was full), nor the violin - parents were anti-violin as "beginner violinists make a horrible sound". Persuaded them that I should learn clarinet (ha! they didn't realise that beginners on most instruments make a horrible sound (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)) so clarinet lessons started when I was eight. My first clarinet was my 9th birthday present, and I still have it.

I had a vague idea about being a music teacher as a teenager, so piano lessons started age 14. A-level results were a bit of a disaster, so I ended up finding a place on a music degree course through clearing. Went off the idea of being a classroom teacher at university, but went through the motions of applying for a PGCE, didn't get a place anywhere, and so ended up experiencing the joys of office life.

In 2004, it looked as though I was going to be made redundant as the company was closing my office, but ten days before closure they realised I was the only person who knew how to do what I do. At the same time I was becoming bored with office routines, so it was agreed that I could work part-time and that I would try my hand at music teaching. It's not been the success I'd hoped for (i.e. I still have to sell my soul for the corporate shilling), but I feel I've got the best of both worlds - doing some music and still getting a regular salary, paid holiday, sick pay, pension scheme, other corporate fringe benefits.

Other skills: I toast a mean teacake!

And that's about it, really.

[blaNX...piano_newbie]

Name: Hadiya
Age: 17
Location: London

Musical History:
- given my first keyboard at about four, mainly listening and playing things I heard.
- started to play the recorder at about 7 or 8.
- sang in school choir in primary school, took part in a few productions including queen's millenium service (mum was very proud (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) )
- started taking recorder grades in secondary school taking descant 1-5 and treble 1 between 2001 and 2005.
- carried on singing in school choir went on tours to Sweden, France and Barcelona.
- after four years of begging music teacher to let me have piano lessons he finally agrees (although only because he is leaving).
- September 2005 started piano lessons.
- 2006 started AS music at college, without having done music GCSE - got a C
- continued piano lessons at college with a fantastic teacher. Took grade 3 piano at Christmas and passed with merit.
- grade 4 piano taken in summer term, awaiting results along with grade 5 theory.
- hoping to take grade 7 flute in november to be able to study music at university.

Future:
- Hoping to pass my A levels (Music, English, Maths and Media) get into Southampton Uni and get a degree in music and English
- Hope to one day have piano as my primary instrument

Other: reading, watching movies, talking...