Eleanor Nichol
Woodwind Teacher and Musician
About Me
I grew up in Bristol and have played music here for most of my life, particularly in an orchestral setting on flute and piccolo. I moved to Cardiff for further education, studying for my BMus (Hons) degree at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Whilst at RWCMD I studied flute with Roger Armstrong as well as piccolo with Barbara Brown and also clarinet and saxophone with John Cooper. I have also participated in masterclasses with Matthew Featherstone (Principal flute of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales) and Ken Smith (formerly Principal flute of the Philharmonia Orchestra).
Upon completion of my degree I relocated to Bristol and now have a thriving teaching practice in the area. I thoroughly enjoy my work as a teacher and dedicate as much of my time as possible to developing this part of my musical life.
Background
I currently work as a flute, clarinet, saxophone and music theory teacher and enjoy teaching a variety of students across a broad area. I deliver one-to-one lessons in Nailsea Music Shop and through my private practice in my home studio as well as in students' homes in some areas of Bristol. I am fortunate to have a wide range of students from beginners to more advanced musicians, both children and adults. My aim as a teacher is to make lessons fun and interesting for the student whilst developing all aspects of the musician. A typical lesson includes some work on theory and aural alongside looking at improving tone, technique and expression. I think it is important to encourage each student to develop as a rounded musician, enabling them to achieve their goals in music whether that be to play in community music ensembles, sit graded examinations, work towards a career in music or to just play for fun! I have a 100% pass rate for students who have taken practical and theory exams under my tuition.
Educating
Performing
As a musician I have experienced a wide variety of performance situations including solo recitals, chamber music, orchestral concerts, opera and musicals. I have a variety of styles of music in my solo repertoire including Baroque and Classical concertos, Romantic French flute classics, 20th Century music and more contemporary music using extended techniques. I have been fortunate enough to play with some brilliant musicians in a number of chamber groups including a flute trio, woodwind quintet, flute and clarinet duo and flute and guitar duo. I have orchestral experience on both flute and piccolo, playing standard classical repertoire as well as light music. I regularly perform on piccolo with Bath Symphony Orchestra. I also enjoy working in music for theatre and have performed in an RWCMD production of Johnathon Dove's opera Flight at the Sherman Cymru theatre as well as in musicals such as The Mystery of Edwind Drood, Dracula, Thoroughly Modern Millie and West Side Story.
Qualifications
BMus (Hons) 2:1 from Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
DipABRSM Music Performance - Flute
DipABRSM Instrumental Teaching - Flute
ABRSM Grade 8 Flute
ABRSM Grade 5 Theory
LCM Grade 5 Piano
A Grades at A Level Music, Psychology and English Literature
