Piano, flute and recorder and music theory lessons for children and adults in North Yorkshire

Whether you’re eight or 80, there’s no wrong time to start learning an instrument. 

You might be picking one up for the first time, returning after many years away, looking for a new challenge or simply wanting to play for the pleasure of it. Whatever your goal, all you need is some curiosity and the desire to see where a few notes might take you.

Explore lessons I offer
Enquire about school music lessons

Learn the music you want to play

I want to build the lesson experience around your passions. That might be a classical piece, music from a favourite film or video game, a pop arrangement, folk music or an exam piece you are excited to master. 


We can use the music you enjoy to build technique, confidence, reading, listening and musical understanding. I will guide you, introduce you to pieces I think you might love and make sure the foundations are there, but there is no fixed programme that every student has to follow.

Lessons can change as your interests and confidence grow. If something is not clicking, we will find another way to approach it. My aim is to help you find your own way into music and become the musician you want to be.

Kind words from my students

“Both our children, Sahana Karthikeyan and Vishruth Karthikeyan, have been learning piano and flute with her, and it has been a wonderful musical journey for them.

Rachel is an exceptional teacher. She is highly professional and structured in her approach, yet incredibly warm, friendly and approachable with children. She has a natural gift for connecting with young learners.

What sets her apart is her immense patience and encouragement. She takes the time to understand each child’s individual pace, strengths and interests, and nurtures them with great care. Her lessons are always engaging, well-planned, and filled with positive energy, which makes the children genuinely look forward to learning.

She focuses not just on playing the instrument, but on building a strong foundation in technique, musicality, theory and expression. She has been a great support to our daughter Sahana in preparing for her graded music exams, guiding her with dedication and clarity at every step.

Most importantly, she inspires confidence. She regularly creates wonderful opportunities for the children to perform, which has helped them grow as confident young musicians.

We feel truly fortunate to have her as their teacher. We wholeheartedly recommend Rachel to any family looking for a dedicated, inspiring and caring music teacher.”
— The Karthikeyan Family
“Rachel is a wonderfully patient and kind music teacher. Genuinely interested in seeing progression of her students at a pace that works for them. Highly recommended.”
— Anonymous
“Rachel is an amazing flute and piano teacher, and she has been teaching our daughter, Alice, for the past four years. She creates such a warm, encouraging environment that makes Alice feel supported, confident, and excited to learn.

What makes Rachel so special is her no-pressure approach. She never makes lessons feel stressful or demanding, yet she consistently gets fantastic results through patience, positivity, and gentle encouragement. She brings out the very best in Alice while nurturing a genuine love of music.

We’re incredibly grateful for the kindness, dedication, and enthusiasm Rachel brings to every lesson, and we wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for an exceptional music teacher.”
— Parents of Alice
Close-up of a piano keyboard with black and white keys, showing part of the wooden piano body.

Piano lessons

The piano brings melody, rhythm and harmony together at your fingertips. It is a wonderful place to begin learning music and an instrument that can keep offering something new throughout your life.

You’ll learn:

  • Posture, hand position and healthy technique

  • Reading music, rhythm and coordination

  • Scales, chords and practical music theory

  • Listening, interpretation and sight-reading

  • Classical, contemporary and personally chosen repertoire

Close-up of a person holding a silver flute, with fingers on the keys, against a dark background.

Flute lessons

Learning the flute involves the whole body. Breath, posture, fingers, ears and imagination all work together to create a clear, expressive sound.

You’ll learn:

  • Breath control and tone

  • Posture and comfortable hand position

  • Fingering, articulation and fluency

  • Reading music and developing rhythm

  • Solo, ensemble, classical and contemporary repertoire

A young boy wearing a gray jacket sitting on a group of brown dogs. The boy appears to be playing a recorder, and there is a music stand with sheets of music in front of him. A plant with tall green leaves is visible in the background.

Recorder lessons

Forget the recorder you remember from school. From the bright soprano to the rich bass, this beautiful family of instruments has more range and character than you might expect, with centuries of music to explore.

You’ll learn:

  • Breath, articulation and tone

  • Fingering and secure technique

  • Reading music and rhythmic confidence

  • Different recorder sizes and repertoire

  • Moving on to a wooden recorder when the time is right

Sheet music for piano, featuring musical notes and annotations, with the title indicating a classical composition.

Music theory lessons (in-person or virtual)

Music theory helps you recognise the patterns behind the music you hear and play. Lessons can support your instrumental learning, academic studies or a personal interest in how music works.

You’ll learn:

  • Notation, rhythm and musical vocabulary

  • Scales, keys, chords and harmony

  • Musical structure, analysis and composition

  • Support with theory exams, GCSE or A-level music where appropriate

We can also work towards a music exam if you so choose

Some learners find satisfaction and enjoyment in working through the grades. If that sounds like you, I can support you through ABRSM, Trinity College London or MTB examinations, from initial grades through to diploma level.

Fees & lesson format

Lesson format

30 individual lessons across the academic year

Lesson fee

£22 per lesson

Payments

Divided across 12 monthly payments

Lesson notes

Shared weekly through My Music Staff

Enquire about private music lessons

FAQs about private music lessons

  • At student’s own homes.

  • Yes - however if you are a complete beginner, then it is not essential for the first lesson, and I can guide you through deciding on your first instrument.

  • Yes, music theory can be studied independently.

  • Not at all. Exams are available for students who find them useful, but they are never required.

  • I understand that occasionally you may need to cancel a lesson due to illness or other unavoidable circumstances. Wherever possible, please give me as much notice as you can. With reasonable notice, I’ll do my best to rearrange the lesson at a mutually convenient time. Lessons missed without notice, or simply forgotten, will still be charged as normal.


    If I need to cancel a lesson for any reason, I will always make sure that the lesson is honoured. Wherever possible, I’ll arrange a catch-up lesson at a mutually convenient time, or the lesson will be carried forward.

Ready to make music?

Tell me which instrument you are interested in, who the lessons are for and anything you would particularly love to learn.

I will let you know my current availability and the best next step.

Enquire now