

Dr Robert's profile and their contact details have been verified by our experts
Dr Robert
- Rate $47
- Response 7h
-
Students20
Number of students Dr Robert has taught since their arrival at Superprof
Number of students Dr Robert has taught since their arrival at Superprof

$47/h
1st lesson free
- Piano
- Keyboard
Dr of music and internationally recognised composer, musician and writer, with over 20 years' experience, specialising in piano and theory lessons.
- Piano
- Keyboard
Lesson location
Super Prof
Dr Robert is one of our best Piano tutors. They have a high-quality profile, verified qualifications, a quick response time, and great reviews from students!
About Dr Robert
Hi there, thanks for checking out my page. I'm Dr Robert Ratcliffe. I'm an internationally recognised musician, composer, and writer, with over 20 years' experience as a private tutor and university lecturer. Feel free to contact me, and I'm confident we will take your playing and musical aspirations to the next level. All levels welcome, including beginners! Please find some information below regarding my training, experience, and qualifications. Qualifications: PhD – received national AHRC award M.Res (distinction) – received national AHRC award BA Hons (1st Class) – specialising in solo piano performance and composition. ABRSM Grade 8 piano (distinction) Additional piano training and experience (postgraduate level): Private study with Professor David Fanning (University of Manchester). David Fanning was taught by Sulamita Aronovsky, who studied with the renowned Russian pianist and teacher Alexander Goldenweiser. Private study with Roy Howat (Keyboard Research Fellow at the Royal Academy of Music), whose teachers include the celebrated Chopin interpreter and Ravel specialist Vlado Perlemuter. Studied and consulted with Michael Bell (Director of Performance at Keele University), who was taught by Derryck Wyndham and Sulamita Aronovsky. Winner of the Keele Concerto audition 2004. Recorded performances and original music broadcast on BBC radio and internationally. Experience of performing as a soloist, accompanist, and ensemble member in a diverse range of styles, including, for example, jazz/funk support for Jools Holland. Member of the European Piano Teachers Association, Musicians Union, and Society of Authors.
About the lesson
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- +8
levels :
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Proficient
Children
1st year
2nd year
3rd year
4th year
Graduate Student
PhD
- English
All languages in which the lesson is available :
English
My students and clients range from beginners (both children and adults) right through to experienced professionals and teachers. I have experience of preparing students for performances and auditions (for example, Chetham's, Leeds Conservatoire, and the RNCM), and exams up to diploma level, with a 100% ABRSM examination pass rate, usually with distinction. Recent success stories include students who achieved 74/75 for ABRSM Grade 5 Theory and 146/150 for Piano Practical. One of my students was invited to take part in a special concert organised by the ABRSM after they achieved one of the highest marks during the Spring period. My students have been successful prize winners in various music competitions and have attained excellent results during school and college examinations – for example, many have achieved either a grade A or an A* in their GCSE music exams. Lessons can be configured to support and complement work undertaken for GCSE and AS/A level music examinations etc. They can also be designed to improve general musicianship, including sight reading, aural skills, improvisation, and aspects of composition. I have had success with students of all ages and abilities, from 3 to 75. Teaching methods are adapted to suit the individual needs and abilities of the student, involving an analysis of both the way a student learns music and the way that they perform. Strategies can then be developed to overcome specific musical and technical difficulties or to find a suitable approach to the music in question. In relation to this, I have an awareness of various relaxation techniques that can be used to enhance general pianistic technique. I am also able to help with issues of performance anxiety, and can suggest various strategies and techniques to reduce or minimise its effects. Aspects of sound production and quality of tone are also covered during lessons (I have a particular affinity with the Romantic and Impressionistic repertoire, especially the works of Chopin, Debussy and Scriabin). As a composer, I am often very interested in the way that a piece of music has been constructed, providing a piece-by-piece analytical commentary for students, including background information on the composer and the context of the work's composition. This helps to create an informed interpretation, including an understanding of both the architecture of a piece and the musical ideas contained within it, leading to a more effective communication of the music. In addition to piano lessons, I offer online tuition in music theory and music production. I can work with any of the major communication platforms including FaceTime, Skype, Teams, WhatsApp, and Zoom. Lessons can also be conducted over the phone – I recently helped a student to achieve a distinction for ABRSM Grade 7 performance through regular phone lessons (without video). References and full DBS certificate available upon request. Professional Experience (selected): Performances and broadcasts in approximately 30 countries worldwide, including presentations at major international events such as ACMC, ICMC, L’espace du Son, NIME, and Sonorities. Collaborated with some of the leading performers in the fields of contemporary and experimental music. Recordings available through CMMAS, Further Noise, Sonus, and Vox Novus. Writing published in various academic journals and proceedings: Dancecult, eContact!, eOREMA, the proceedings of the International Computer Music Conference (ICMC), and Sonic Ideas. Served as an adjudicator and reviewer at International level (ICMC and 60×60). (c) Robert Ratcliffe 2023
Review
All of our reviews are collected by us and are 100% reliable. They correspond to a real experience lived by students with Dr Robert.
Perfect! I can say hand on heart I have never learned as much from any other piano teacher in many years of playing. Rob is very calm and encouraging and his teaching style encourages me to critique myself in my practice time, which translates into great learning. Rob's love of music is infectious which makes every lesson engaging and interesting.
Perfect! Clearly explained and insightful ideas for understanding and playing music. Thanks.
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Recommendations
Recommendations come from relatives, friends and acquaintances of the teacher
I have been having lessons with Rob for a few years now and would recommend him as a piano teacher. His patience and understanding has been impeccable and his tutoring has taken me from a complete novice to a competent and confident piano player and certified to grade 2 in musical theory. Rob is definitely the teacher you want for piano lessons
Dr Robert is an excellent teacher. He is patient & encouraging, giving me confidence to keep on going. He has identified interesting new pieces for me to practice and perfect and always has an anecdote on hand to help illuminate any points about the music or composer to help illustrate my learning.
I decided to return to the piano after a 50 year break & was greatly relieved to find that learning the piano is now an enjoyable experience.Rob has taught our 3 children the piano. His calm encouragement and measured approach has resulted in many certificates and kids who genuinely enjoy music - the eldest is now a professional musician!
My fourteen years old son has had the privilege of learning piano under the tutelage of an exceptional instructor for more than six years. Throughout this transformative journey, Robert's dedication and remarkable professionalism as a piano teacher helped my son a great deal in learning, playing and enjoying a range of different styles: classic, modern, and film music. It is with great pleasure that I share my experience and offer an enthusiastic recommendation for Robert. Five stars totally deserved!
He's been teaching me for about 10 years and has been very informative, helpful and understanding throughout all that time. Had both in-person and virtual lessons and both have provided an enjoyable learning environment. He is very accommodating to all levels of piano experience.
Rob has been a great teacher. At the start he asked what level I was (I’m a beginner) and what I wanted to get out of lessons (I don’t want to do grades currently). He then suggested books and pieces to achieve this. During lessons he provides really good constructive feedback on how to improve the pieces I’m playing and my technique. He also takes the time to explain musical theory and new concepts in a way that’s easy to understand. I feel I have improved week on week with his help.
Rob has been an outstanding teacher for my daughter for the last 4 years and she had gone from strength to strength. She finds the online lessons really easy and there has been no issues from moving from face to face to virtual, if anything it has allowed us more flexibility. She has really progressed under his tutorship and feels confident going into her exams. I would highly recommend Rob to anyone wanting piano lessons.
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Rates
Rate
- $47
Pack rates
- 5h: $236
- 10h: $472
online
- $47/h
free lessons
This first lesson offered with Dr Robert will allow you to get to know each other and clearly specify your needs for your next lessons.
- 30mins
Details
£35 for an hour £20 for 30 mins Lessons conducted at student's home (within a 2 mile radius), or online.
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