MusicoSouth

Thanks so much Jo, it's been great working with your lovely family over the years.

I noticed this yesterday when I was picking up my daughter on the South Circ. As she was passing the car park, one of the guys called out to ask her if she skates and to invite her to have a go. It made her day. What these young people are doing is so positive and so creative with such an ugly unloved space. It's a disgrace that the pub and car park have sat derelict for so long, so it's brilliant to see young people taking the initiative to turn it to good use. I've signed the petition, but do let Forum members know if there's anything more we can do to support it.

Been using Steve Spin Doctor for all my appliance repairs for maybe 10 years now. 100% reliable, quick, always tries to fit you in, and gives honest advice. Is straight with you if he thinks something?s beyond repair (rarely). Most importantly, he gets how reliant we are on our appliances. Just called him this morning cos washing machine not working, and because he was rammed with pre-Christmas appointments, he gave me instructions on how to sort it over the phone. Really top service. Thanks Steve!

Hi EDFers We're a friendly and competitive netball club looking for 2 coaches for our senior squads, to start in August/September for the 2019/20 season. We train at Sydenham School, Dartmouth Road SE26, on Thursday evenings during term-time, and we have squads playing in the Kent County and North West Kent Leagues on Saturdays and Sundays. We're looking for minimum Level 1 coaching qualification, and can provide support to take further qualifications. Ideally we're looking for coaches who have experience at developing both adult and youth players. If you're interested, please fill out this form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1DdELttbvZAMBxnmrnYc_94cznqShYo_WNaoBxzq3Ks8/edit and we'll send you more info. Any queries, please call Emma on 07841 162629, Kate 07770 592949 or Maureen 07950 253607.

Hi Katie If you're still looking, I'd be delighted to recommend a piano teacher for your children. I work with lots of lovely music teachers who are great with young beginners and happy to come to you for lessons, so do message me or call me if I can help Emma musico south london 0208 291 6339

Hi Jonny Did you find a piano teacher? If not, I'd be delighted to help. I work with a group of local piano teachers, professionally qualified musicians, experienced at teaching and DBS checked. Happy to come to you for lessons and flexible on lesson times. Passionate about piano, and they really love teaching. Lesson fees are ?20 for 30mins, ?25 for 45mins, ?30 for an hour. If this sounds good, give me a call or email - I'd love to help. Emma musico south 0207 277 2759 [email protected]

I'd agree that the best approach is to go with any interest or enthusiasm he shows - doesn't have to be showing passion for a particular instrument, just a general interest in music. I'd also agree that if budget and space allow, piano is the best option for young beginners, and makes is massively easier to learn to read music and understand theory, and transfer those skills to other instruments in due course. 5 isn't too young to start - my daughter started at 4.5, is now 10 and very much enjoys piano and cello. I run a local music teaching agency with a group of fab local teachers who are great with young beginners, we take students from age 4 upwards, so if you do decide to go ahead, I'd be very happy to find a lovely teacher for your son. We also do lessons for adults, and have lots of families learning together. Emma Musico south 0207 277 2759 www.musicosouth.co.uk

I have a couple of students who have had both speech impairments (which I appreciate your daughter doesn't have) and extreme shyness, and 1 to 1 singing lessons have really helped. Expanding their comfort zones and taking risks in a safe environment with a teacher they trust has really helped develop confidence with both students. I've found with my own daughter that drama does help, but there is always the issue that the more reserved performers get overlooked. Another option you could consider would be a shared singing lesson - so a lesson with one other close friend, which would give her moral support but ensure she still gets brought out of herself and they both get plenty of attention. If you're interested in exploring any of these ideas, I have some lovely local singing teachers who are gentle, fun and encouraging, and who'd be delighted to teach her. Whatever route you choose to take, wishing you all the best. Emma www.musicosouth.co.uk [email protected]

Hi I'd agree with other comments on here about age-appropriate instruments. I'd say piano, violin or recorder are all good starter options for your daughter's age. My daughter started piano at 4.5 and is still playing at 10 and loving it. These three instruments are all manageable for her physically and piano and recorder are pretty easy to get nice sound out of quickly - violin takes more work initially but some young children do really well with it. She's a little young for guitar - it's a question of finger, hand and wrist strength, which, even with a smaller-sized instrument, doesn't really work till she's about 6/7 at the very earliest. And other wind or brass require more lung capacity than most 4 year olds have, so these are generally best started around 7/8 onwards, but recorder is an excellent introduction to wind. Cello would also be an option in a couple of years, and it's a beautiful instrument, lovely warm sound. If you have a choice, I'd generally always go for piano as a first instrument, as it's a fantastic introduction to reading music and helping establish a really strong theoretical foundation which you can build on with other instruments. But I'd also definitely agree with other comments here that the most important thing is to go with her enthusiasm, so if she's showing an interest in any of those kinds of instruments, go with that. If you decide to go ahead with lessons, I have lots of lovely local piano, violin and recorder teachers who are great with young beginners, and who'd love to teach her. I do a home consultation with prospective students and families before they start, so would be very happy to pop round to discuss options with you and her in more detail - give me a call or PM if you're interested and would like more info. Wishing your daughter all the best for her exciting musical future! Emma musico south 0207 277 2759 [email protected]

Hi Sam Only just seen your post. I'd love to talk to you - would have been happy to take your call yesterday - I'm always here! Shall we speak tomorrow? Emma musico south 0207 277 2759

You may already have got your instrument, but if not, I'd second the recommendation from BeccaL about The Piano Store, Kirkdale, Sydenham. They specialise in refurbing acoustic pianos for entry level market, and you can usually get a very nice instrument there for between ?500-?1000. The guys who run it are hugely knowledgeable, helpful and fun, and will give you frank advice and demonstrate the pianos for you if you like. Liam there can also tune your piano after delivery. Many of my piano students have bought instruments there, and been very happy with them. Good luck! Emma musico south

Hi Ninbi I run a small music teaching agency with lots of lovely local teachers, and I have some terrific violin teachers who'd love to teach your daughters. They're flexible and happy to come to your house for lessons at a time to suit you. The teachers are professionally qualified, talented musicians, experienced at teaching, and DBS checked. Most importantly, they're passionate about violin, and love teaching, especially children, so I'm confident I'd find a teacher your girls would enjoy learning with. I've sent you a PM with details. All best Emma musico south 0207 277 2759 [email protected]

Hi Alice I'd be delighted to recommend a piano teacher for your son - I have some lovely teachers who are great with young beginners and very happy to come to you for lessons at a time to suit you. I'll PM you with the details. Emma musico south 0207 277 2759 [email protected]

Hi James I run a local music teaching agency and have some lovely local ukelele teachers who'd be delighted to teach your son. The teachers are professional musicians, experienced at teaching, and DBS checked. They're flexible, happy to come to you for lessons at a time to suit you. I'll PM you with more details. Best Emma musico south

English National Ballet choreograph and perform adaptations of full length ballets for children: the next one is My First Coppelia. They are just brilliant. We first got to know them through their productions of the Angelina Ballerina ballet. But the very best thing about ENB is their Ballet Buddies scheme, which your daughter can join for around ?25 a year, and then you get offered an amazing range of opportunities throughout the year, including special performances, visits to the studios, onstage workshops etc. My daughter and I esp love going to the rehearsal mornings where you can just sit in the studio and watch the company exercise and then rehearse their current production, incredible chance to see international artists close up, and they're really friendly - usually followed up with tour of the wardrobe, chance to try on tutus, handle pointe shoes etc. Emma

Hi Dulwich stables do have a Shetland, he's a lovely, furry, obstinate creature called Hoobie. They used to do 'pony rides' as opposed to lessons for really young ones, but i think stopped a while back. When I was looking for my 5 year old a few years back found nowhere that would take them that young, so we waited till 6 and she started at Dulwich which was fine, then switched to Mudchute on I of Dogs, which was truly excellent. Think 3 is a bit young really for proper lessons. Used to take my daughter for regular donkey rides on Blackheath to keep her interest up till formal lessons could start. Good luck Emma

Hi Enjoy I run a local music teaching service and have some lovely local flute teachers who'd be delighted to teach your daughter. I'd agree with everything Pickle says - 10's a great age to start, and excellent she's had the recorder and violin experience - she'll hit the ground running. Also agree with Pickle's advice on instruments - avoid false economy of cheap ones - another hire option is Howarths in Chiltern Street W1, wind specialists. With regards lessons, my teachers are professional musicians, experienced at teaching, and CRB checked. Passionate about flute, and really love teaching. Happy to come to your house at a time to suit you. Lesson fees are ?20 for 30mins, ?25 for 45mins, ?30 for an hour and so on. If this sounds good, do give me a call or an email and we'll take it from there. I'd love to hear from you. Emma musico south [email protected] 0207 277 2759

Hi I run a local music teaching service, and I've sent you a PM. Emma

Hi Niblet I run a local music teaching service and have some lovely local classical guitar teachers who'd be delighted to teach your daughter. They're very flexible and happy to come to your house for lessons at a time to suit you. The teachers are professional musicians, experienced at teaching, and CRB checked. Most importantly, they're passionate about guitar and really love teaching, so I'm confident I'd have a teacher your daughter would enjoy learning with. Lesson fees are ?20 for 30mins, ?25 for 45mins, ?30 for an hour and so on. You'd probably want to start her on 30mins. The teachers are very happy to teach through the holidays if you'd like that - we aren't restricted to term-times. I've PM'd you with more details. If this sounds good, please email or phone me - I'd love to hear from you. Emma musico south 0207 277 2759 [email protected]

Hi Dulwich Girl I'd completely agree with Jeremy. In terms of practicality and functionality, a good quality (and Yamaha are pretty much the best) digital piano is hard to beat, esp with the headphones option. But if you have the budget, I'd always go for an acoustic for tone and feeling, and aesthetics (and many acoustics have the mute pedal for practice). If you do decide to buy acoustic, there's a great little shop on Kirkdale, Sydenham, called The Piano Store, which specialises in refurbishing old pianos and always has a good range with some lovely instruments from around ?500, and expert advice. Might be worth popping in for a browse before you decide. If you have the budget, another fantastic option would be a second-hand refurbished Yamaha acoustic U1, which have the most beautiful tone and action. J Reid in St Ann's Rd, Tottenham specialises in importing and refurbishing old Yamahas from Japan and they are wonderful instruments. Reid's is a massive piano warehouse with a room full of grand pianos, and friendly staff, so a fun trip out. With regards the lessons, I run a Peckham-based music teaching service with some excellent local piano teachers who'd love to teach your husband. They're professionally qualified, experienced, and CRB checked. Most importantly, they're passionate about piano, and really love teaching, so I'd definitely have a teacher your husband would enjoy lessons with. Lesson fees are ?25 for 45mins, ?30 for an hour and so on. We do vouchers for any number of lessons, and I can prepare an attractive voucher with a personal message from you. After the student receives the voucher, I'd have a detailed chat with him about his musical aspirations, interests, experience, and then recommend a teacher to match, who can do lessons at a time to suit him. If this sounds good, do give me a call or an email - I'd love to hear from you. Emma musico south 0207 277 2759 [email protected]

Can I put in a word for Dulwich Ballet School. My daughter (now 8) has been going there since she was 2 and absolutely loves it. Sally-Ann and Jo are terrific teachers, endlessly patient, fun and firm when needed. The quality of teaching is pretty impressive - think you can check out results on their website, but loads of Distinctions and Merits at every level, and most importantly the girls have great fun. Sally's expanded the syllabus recently, and they do modern, tap, street dance etc. Also Summer Schools and Easter hols programmes. But the really brilliant thing Sally does is a full-scale production every 18 months, which involves the whole school inc the little ones. Last year they did Swan Lake and Carnival of the Animals, plus an hour long modern programme, performed at Alleyn's theatre, with amazing costumes - invaluable experience for the dancers. Lessons are mostly at St Faiths Centre, Red Post Hill where there's a car park and street parking, and a big room for changing and waiting - it does get busy and noisy at changeover, but settles down after lessons start, and there's plenty of space. Also opposite Sunray Gardens so little ones can go for a runaround when we aren't having Biblical floods...! Hope this is helpful - good luck!

Lucy I do feel for you. My daughter (now 7) screamed ear-splitting screams from the second she was put in the car seat on the return from hospital and every journey from then, until she was old enough for the front-facing seat. We tried everything, dad in the back, black & white pictures, mobiles, music, little friends in the back, but nothing worked until she moved into the front facing seat. My best friend's daughter was the same, and in one harrowing day, we drove 8 hours to Cornwall together with each baby taking in turns to keep up the screaming when the other one paused for breath...I knew things had got really bad when on a soaking wet winter day, a friend turned down a lift rather than travel in the car with us....In the end we just turned the stereo up loud and gritted our teeth. From my own experience and friends', I'd be very confident it will stop when she moves into the new seat - ours stopped instantly and has been a very happy traveller ever since, no car sickness or anything - I know that's not much consolation now, but some hope to cling to....my sympathies..!