Julia Watkins

I have loved the sound of piano music ever since I was taken at a very young age to see a guy accompanying a gospel choir. He seemed to be flying over the keys and coming up with sounds that gave me goosebumps!

There was a cranky, abandoned old piano in an outhouse where my family lived and I would spend hours on it messing about. I was convinced that I was a concert pianist until my mum asked me if I’d like lessons! Lessons! What did I need lessons for, I was BRILLIANT!

I promised to practice hard and had loads of lessons with a series of rather eccentric teachers ranging from the victorian old lady who made me cry a lot to the hot pants wearing trendy lady who didn’t seem to care what I played (or how badly). I probably learnt more about teaching, or rather how NOT to teach from them than any expert books I’ve read since.

However, I kept taking lessons for about eight years and gradually passed all the grades along the way. Later in life I decided to take a music degree and discovered the joy that teaching others to play would bring.

If you are thinking about having a go, let me encourage you. It's a thrilling hobby and very rewarding.

 

Maëlle Delacroix

After studying a 5-year University degree in Languages and Tourism in France, where I am originally from, I moved to Tenerife in 2001 to work as an entertainer for international hotels.

Dealing with guests from all over the world helped me to improve my languages skills and encouraged me to study a distance course in Translation. I was then allowed to offer my services as a translator-interpreter in English, Spanish and French, for companies as well as individuals.

I started teaching foreign languages when most of the people who needed translations asked me for languages tuition. In 2006 I was offered a job as a MFL teacher, for Key Stage 3 to A-level students, in a British School here in Tenerife.

Since then, teaching has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Sharing our languages knowledge, either to improve people’s ability to communicate or to help students pass their exam, is our aim and satisfaction.

Your Function

Playing live is different from teaching but equally rewarding.

From one-off engagements, such as weddings and concerts, through to regular gigs at restaurants, performing has a real buzz to it, especially when your playing is treated to the occasional glass of wine from an appreciative guest! (tinto por favor).

I can play a massive selection of cocktail style piano music ranging from Bach to the Beatles, Chopin to Showtime and can streamline the repertoire to suit your occasion.I am also in contact with other musicions who I can call on to join with me for something more unique like a jazzy twenties party for example.

If you would like to discuss your plans for the music at your special function or event, then do please either call or email me. All the details you need are on the Contact page.

 

En Español

Después de estudiar una carrera universitaria en Idiomas y Turismo en Francia, mi país de origen, me mudé a Tenerife en 2001 a fin de trabajar como animadora en hoteles internacionales.

Tratar con clientes de todo el mundo me ayudó sin duda a mejorar mi nivel de idiomas y me animó a estudiar un curso a distancia de especialista en Traducción. Pude entonces empezar a ofrecer mis servicios a compañías y particulares, como traductora-intérprete en inglés, español y francés.

Empecé a enseñar idiomas cuando la mayoría de la gente que solicitaba traducciones me pidió que le dé clases. Y en 2006, me ofrecieron un puesto de profesora de francés y español en un instituto británico aquí en Tenerife – puesto que sigo ocupando en la actualidad.

Desde entonces, enseñar me parece una experiencia divertida y gratificante. Compartir nuestros conocimientos, sea para que nuestros estudiantes mejoren su capacidad de comunicación o que aprueben sus exámenes, es nuestro objetivo y nuestra satisfacción.