Testimonials
Paul Burgoyne...
"Gary has been providing me with piano lessons for over a year and i have made significant progress in both my theory and playing. He is methodical in his approach ensuring improvement is made on a weekly basis assisting with any difficulties occurred in the past week. His experience, knowledge and enthusiasm for music and the piano was evident from my free introductory lesson and ongoing weekly sessions. I am more than happy to recommend Gary and to top it all his lessons are fun and enjoyable. They say it is never to late to learn as in my case I am 67 years old and it is also of benefit to me that Gary comes to my house to provide the lesson. "
Sandi-Jane Wood
"Gary has taught my daughter Amelie piano for almost 6 months and already she is approaching Grade one. He is a fantastic teacher and my daughter looks forward to his lessons I couldn't recommend him enough to anyone looking for a piano teacher"
Andy Tetterick
"A wonderful piano teacher! Gary has a great manner with children, ensuring learning is fun. His standards are high which is reassuring. His knowledge and skill is outstanding. My daughter looks forward to her piano lesson with Gary each week. Rather than see piano as a chore, she enjoys it. We asked Gary to help us encourage a love of music which we hope will last a lifetime rather than merely focus on the task of attaining Grades 1-8 through the examination process. However if that is what you are looking for, Gary can deliver! Highly recommend. "
Jake Hollins
"I've been taught by Gary for a few years now and he's helped me so much. I went straight to grade three then skipped to grade five in just a couple of years thanks to Gary's help and advice. Lessons are always interesting and he has taught me theory through playing fun pieces too."
Elbahi Elogbi
"Gary is supreme in teaching my kids how to play piano He knows how to get the best out of them and how to motivate them. He's very detailed in showing them the steps to learning and his methodology is frankly exceptional
He's firm but fair and I find his way unique. He's funny too which is a bonus.
I would not take my kids to anyone else to be honest.
I highly recommend his services"
Yami Sidman
"Gary currently teaches piano to my two children. My daughter has just taken her Grade 8 exam and has enjoyed her lessons with Gary so much she intends to carry on (originally she thought she would stop after Grade 8. My son is at a beginner level and Gary is the only piano teacher (having tried 3 before) which has gotten him to enjoy piano. Whether your child is a beginner or highly advanced musician Gary has the knowledge and understanding to cater the lessons to each person as an individual - my children are very different and yet they both love their lessons with Gary and have made fantastic progress. I highly recommend him. "
Anne Taylor
"Gary is a brilliant and dedicated teacher. He has endless patience and inspires me to try and attain the high standards he insists on and always with good humour. He has encouraged me when I am struggling and is always ready with suggestions to help me conquer any difficulties with my pieces. I am a mature student and have achieved success in examinations which I would never have dreamt of thanks to his painstaking tuition. Thank you Gary."
Brandon Kung
"Gary is an amazing piano teacher who is clearly eager to share his skills. Very engaging with me and my siblings who both play the piano. "
Cassy Trew
"Gary has taught my son for almost ten years, from his first lesson though to grade 8. We can't recommend him enough! He is patient, kind and passionate about music and teaching. He has inspired my son so much, he is going to university to study music further. We can't rate him highly enough."
Helen Ferris
"Gary is a great teacher, very knowledgeable, patient and encouraging and he always makes the lessons enjoyable. Both my children have made fantastic progress over the 12 months that he has been teaching them. "
Ben Sidman
"Gary is teaching me having been teaching my daughter for years. It’s always enjoyable and his professionalism and his knowledge means the progress is really good - even if my practice isn’t always as often as it should be (sorry Gary!)"
Deborah Jarrold
"Gary has been teaching my daughter the piano for a few years now. My daughter has additional needs and Gary treats her with dignity and respect and when great understanding and always makes her lessons fun. He is such a talented and patient man."
Sheena Kingdon
"Having recently retired, I thought i would try to learn how to read music and play the piano. I had no previous experience and was very apprehensive. However Gary has proved to be so encouraging and supportive that I really look forward to my lessons with him."
Owen Macdonald
"HFor the past decade I have had lessons with Gary and I cannot recommend him enough. He is an incredibly knowledgeable and resourceful teacher that has imparted excellent advice, techniques and skills with me, from being able to read and understand sheet music, applying theoretical ideas and playing numerous genres on the piano itself. On top of this, he is a humourous, kind-hearted and amiable, which makes lessons terrific! Whether you're aiming for grades or just want casual piano tuition, Gary Hawkins is the person for the occasion. 5/5 is an understatement!"
Helen Reid
"Gary has taught our daughter for a few years now with a great deal of patience and understanding. As a 17 year old Hannah doesn't want to do grades, she wants to learn how the piano can complement a career in singer/song writing. Gary is the perfect man for the job. He teaches Hannah how to play chords, transpose along with sight reading and playing pieces that move her. I would recommend Gary for whatever style of playing you want to achieve. A supportive and encouraging teacher. Give him a go....and the first lesson is free! "
Kelly Hall
"Gary began teaching my daughter in January. She has made fabulous progress in the short time she has been taught, but more importantly she’s enjoyed the lessons and been motivated to practise. I find Gary’s enthusiasm and love for his job infectious and feel fortunate to have had him recommended to me. He is polite, organised, punctual and accommodating. If you’re looking for a piano teacher then give him a call."
Katie Salmon
"Gary has been teaching my two children, aged 7 and 9 since September. We have found him to be very friendly and professional. He comes to the house, which is amazing for our busy family, and is always on time. My children are at different levels and respond to different teaching styles and as Gary has got to know them over the year he has adapted to each of them. They both get on with him well and there is often laughter coming from the lesson so he obviously makes it fun - but without letting them muck about. They both did exams in the spring and had good results - both coming out of the exam room smiling! Being able to pay monthly is an added bonus - rather than being hit with a big bill at the beginning of term. I would definitely recommend this teacher. "
Rosemary Babichev
"Gary Hawkins was recommended to me by South West Music School as qualified to teach piano at an advanced level. He taught my 13 year old son with sensitivity and high expectations, hugely advancing his technique, and refining his musical interpretation. Under Gary's brilliant instruction he won the 2018 Two Moors Festival Young Musicians Competition and a scholarship to Chetham's School of Music. He is undoubtedly one of the region's leading piano teachers, and has our deepest respect and gratitude."