Nicola Rumford, Pianist | Online Piano Lessons

About Me

I began playing the piano when I was 6 years old. I achieved distinction in my Grade 8 Associated Board (ABRSM) Exam when I was 17.

I studied Music at the University of Aberdeen obtaining a BMus (Hons) degree. During my time at university I was Assistant Musical Director and Pianist for a highly successful student musical group, "Treading the Boards". I also travelled around Germany as part of a University Street Music Group.

After university I gained a Diploma in Music Therapy at Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Centre in London. I pursued a 15-year career in Music Therapy, working in Aberdeen, Devon, Singapore and central Scotland. Much of my Music Therapy work was with children and adults with learning disabilities and communication difficulties, including autism. The ability to improvise music in various styles was an integral part of this work.

In 2000 I established my own business teaching piano privately. Initially I combined this with my music therapy work but since 2008 I have devoted myself full time to teaching and playing.

I am an accomplished pianist, with many years of experience playing the piano in hotels, restaurants and for weddings. I have a wide and varied repertoire including classical, jazz, blues and contemporary music.

I pay particular attention to Continual Professional Development (CPD). Events I have attended include:

A tutorial with jazz pianist, tutor and ABRSM examiner Tim Richards.
A tutorial with the composer Martin Read.
ABSRM Conferences in London in 2012, 2016 and 2018.
A European Piano Teachers conference in Bolton in 2014.
ABRSM Webinars in 2021, focusing on the 2022/23 Piano Syllabus.

In the summer of 2024 I attended 4 ABRSM webinars with Anthony Williams (ABRSM examiner, pianist and teacher) which covered:

Pedalling.
Rubato.
New approaches to repertoire.
Interpretation in context.

I have had an interest in science for a number of years and obtained a BSc (Hons) with the Open University in 2014.