At 6 years old Mary started her musical career with a sopranino recorder (the only size she could manage!) She was taught by her mother as just one of a large group of children from an inner-city parish.
Playing and performing music became a major part of her life, including forming a folk/gospel group with her brother & friends to fill those idle teenage moments & aspirations. Regular formal tuition really began in the sixth form when she attended Coventry School of Music to study flute, recorder, singing and piano. Her successful audition for a place there included performing a song of her own composition to her own guitar accompaniment. Mary left CSoM with Grade 8’s on modern flute & singing and a performer’s diploma on recorders (as well as her A levels). She continues to enjoy telling stories through song and still crafts the occasional tune. Mary went on to study for a BA (Hons) in Music, her tutors included Peter Holman and Alan Bullard. Throughout her career she has continued to develop her playing and knowledge, returning to university part time and completing an MMus in 2007, Her first examined solo recital combined contemporary, folk and ‘early’ music with poetry and audio-visuals. Her final recital & thesis was on Historically Informed Ornamentation to Engage a Contemporary Audience. For many years Mary combined a career in the primary school classroom with her professional musical activities. Her time at Bow, Durham School included eight years as Head of Music – developing it until about 80% of pupils chose to take individual instrumental lessons and every child had the opportunity to perform as part of the school choir, orchestra or ceilidh band. Whilst at Bow Mary also directed many musical plays and concerts. In 2017 Mary left the classroom so that she could have time to develop her freelance career further. Regular teaching days now take place at The Early Music Shop, Saltaire; Endmoor near Kendal (Cumbria); Hett near Durham; and via Zoom or face-to-face from her home studio in Middleton in Teesdale. For over twenty years she has been in demand for tutoring on residential courses, these include the early-music summer schools NORVIS and HISS; Recorders for All Easter Course; her own recorder consort courses at Rydal Hall, and as a guest conductor at Parcevall Hall. In addition to these Mary is in demand to lead Playing Days and Workshops for the Society of Recorder Players and various Early Music Forums; she also tutors several amateur chamber groups and recorder consorts. On the performance front Mary is very happily busy with the successful early music group Sounds Historical, her folk duo HardyTyers, and also plays regularly with several period instrument orchestras. Please browse Mary's website or follow the links for more detailed information. |
QualificationsBA (Hons): tutors included Peter Holman and Alan Bullard MMus: tutors included Eric Cross, Magnus Williamson and Richard Wistreich LTCL: Performance – Recorders LGSM: Teaching – Flute LRSM: Performance – Recorders Over 25 years teaching experience and an ever-growing cohort of enthusiastic adult pupils who return year after year for ‘more lessons & courses please!’ |