Andy Joss Violin and Piano Lessons and Music Theory Tuition

I passed my Associated Board Grade 8 violin exam in 5th year at school, and then went on to pass my Grade 7 piano exam in 6th year.

Having attained that standard, I sat the entrance audition for the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow and was offered a place as a violin student. However, in the weeks before leaving school, I decided that to be involved with music on a full-time basis might eventually spoil my enjoyment of it, so I declined the offer of the place at RSAMD, and instead embarked on my studies as an accountant. I duly qualified as a Chartered Accountant, and have continued to work in general practice ever since.

It was never my intention to embark on a secondary career as a violin/piano teacher. However, due to the shortage of private teachers in the area, several years ago, the parents of a teenage girl who wanted to sit Higher Grade Music approached me. They were concerned about the rate of progress she was making within the school system, and asked me if I would take her on as a pupil. I did so, and must have done so with some success, because by word of mouth, within a few weeks, I had a group of over 10 pupils, and have continued to have that number of pupils ever since.

Initially my pupils came from the immediate Carnoustie area, but as my teaching work became more widely known I have had pupils from Monifieth, Arbroath, Forfar, Dundee and further afield in Tayside, Angus and even Aberdeenshire.

Some tutors provide tuition in groups, whereas I work with pupils on a one-to-one basis with each pupil having a personal lesson plan, so that each progresses at their own individual speed.

As well as my ‘own’ pupils, from time to time I have also tutored other pupils working towards the Associated Board Grade 5 theory exam, which is a prerequisite to moving on to any Grade 6 practical exam.

I thoroughly enjoy teaching pupils of all ages. I have worked with pupils ranging from primary school age to ‘senior citizen’ age. It is a total contrast unwinding from the stress of the day job.

The perfect combination – an accountant who is on the fiddle!!!!!