Dawn Tolley

Experienced Piano Teacher in Reigate, Surrey

Professionally, I have spent my 25 years of teaching in primary and middle schools as a specialist music teacher. I have been privately teaching piano throughout my teaching career. I consider it to be very rewarding and feel that each pupil offers another opportunity to share a teaching and learning experience in a subject I am passionate about. I have a current enhanced CRB and lessons are provided in a dedicated piano teaching room with waiting facilities for parents if required.

Testimonials

"I had piano lessons with Dawn after deciding I would like to try learning a new skill as an adult. I had no previous experience of playing the piano, or any instrument since very briefly in childhood. Dawn was very patient and encouraging to me as a complete beginner, giving me a range of tasks to learn from scales, finger exercises and simple pieces of music to play.

My son, who was 12 years old, also had piano lessons with Dawn, to support his school music lessons. He had previously been learning to play the cello and wanted to do some ‘fun’ piano lessons, which he could do without an agenda of music exams or grades. Dawn made sure the lessons were varied and he loved being able to play a range of music that he chose, rather than set music. The piano teaching helped greatly with his confidence in his school music lessons, especially when he needed to play pieces in a class situation. Dawn was always encouraging and and enthusiastic in the lessons making sure they were enjoyable and he always looked forward to Dawn’s lessons and her teaching him. We would both recommend Dawn as a piano teacher!"

"My daughter has been having piano lessons with Dawn for three and a half years. During that time Sophie has done her grade 2, 3, 4 and is now doing her grade 5. Sophie has made amazing progress since meeting Dawn. She is very patient and really helps Sophie understand the pieces, both from the music and technical point of view. Sophie really enjoys having the lessons and she is very good at giving the directions on the practice that she needs to do between lessons and areas to focus on. The feedback to us is also very important as not only does it help us understand how Sophie is progressing but also where she needs to practice before the next lesson.

Dawn also helped our son with his DoE bronze and silver skill and the opportunity to learn the basics of piano playing. Whilst he may not look to play to a higher level Dawn was very flexible in getting him started."