Charles Mathews
About
Charlie has more than 10 years working as a professional pianist, specializing in playing for some of the top ballet companies and vocational schools in the UK. He is a classically trained pianist and composer, and has recorded more than 13 albums of music for use by ballet teachers that have sold over 10,000 copies around the world.
Having received his degree in music, Charlie went on to receive two masters degrees in composition from the University of Chichester, and Birmingham Conservatoire and went on to win compositional prizes and have pieces performed in cathedrals around the country as well as Birmingham Symphony Hall. Charlie has also composed music for adverts, games and the opening ceremonies of the European Gymnastics championships.
Charlie has excellent music theory and composition knowledge, as well as being very comfortable with technology, and has used Cubase and Sibelius extensively in his own recording work.
Lessons take place in his own dedicated recording studio, equipped with high quality microphones, a wired broadband connection and multiple cameras set up at different angles so that teaching can be delivered in the most effective way possible.
Charlie believes that music education is one of the most valuable experiences a person can have, not just for the opportunity to gain a new skill, but to enhance their emotional and mental well being, and connect on a much deeper level with not just music but many other things as well.
Lessons with Charlie promote a strong sense of discipline and self evaluation, while remaining fun and friendly. There are many outcomes to musical tuition, and so the goals and aspirations of the student must be accommodated. Creativity is encouraged, as is self direction, composition and improvisation.
All students will learn a solid basis of musical theory and learn to read music as comfortably as they do the written word, as Charlie believes the ability to follow scores and confidently sight read is one of the most valuable a musician can have.
BA (Hons) in Music from Chichester University
MA from Chichester University
MMus in composition from Birmingham Conservatoire