Friday 15 December 2023

Hello all!

Another year nearly over, and for me, my teaching year is complete. Lessons will now start up again from the 3rd of January.
Lots of hard work from all students this year and a very large well done for all they have achieved this year. I am proud of them all!

A couple of changes to the website:

- Qualifications and CPD added to "About" page.
- Policy and Terms of Service page added, which I will be asking all new starts to read and confirm understanding in writing, and I encourage all current students and/or their designated adults to refresh and acquaint themselves; this page will be available at any time and encompasses sickness policy, working hours, as well as my commitments to you as your teacher.

And one change for lessons:

- I will now be offering termly reports to help track your progress and provide tangible feedback.

On a much more fun and festive level ...
... some of us have been busy recording festive songs in lessons, so be sure to keep an eye on the Facebook page over the next few days!

Wishing everyone a blessed Yule, a Merry Christmas and a happy 2024!

Steff @ Benton Music

Sunday 4 December 2022

December 2022 update and an announcement

Hi all,

It has been a small while since I last updated but team Benton Music are good and well, save for catching the terrible cold that appears to have swept the nation! 
My private pupil roster continues to celebrate victories large and small and I am proud of them all.

My last teaching day this year will be the 6th of December, though I do have some spaces for January.
If you are stuck on Christmas gifts, perhaps you may gift your loved one a block of lessons!

And now for an announcement:
I have been supporting the development and release of a new charity single for Save The Elephants, which has been released today on Youtube and across all major music platforms!
All the hard work was already done by the time I got on board; written by Eily Tatlow and Jo Partridge 30 years ago and now recorded at Abbey Road by West End stars and supported by 21 Stagecoach schools up and down the country! It has benefitted from mixing and mastering by the industry's very best and we are all very excited about raising awareness for the decline of the elephant population and hopefully raising lots of money for charity. 
Moving forward, we will have a choir to perform this wonderful piece live. Have a listen to the track below, released today - 4th December 2022 - at midday. Under African Skies is already available on all reputable music streaming sites. 


Friday 8 October 2021

An Update

Well! It has certainly been a wild ride these last 18 months or so. When lockdown struck last year, my entire roster was transferred to online tuition. I am so proud of them all for making it work, along side their degree, their A-Levels or GCSEs or simply alongside the challenges life has thrown at us over the last 2 years.

One student has recently scored 95/100 in her Grade 8 singing exam. Now she has “graduated” from her lessons and left for university, Benton Music wishes her the best of luck in her endeavours. 

Another is doing incredibly well at university himself on a Musical Theatre degree, despite the challenges of lockdown. I had the pleasure of (virtually) attending his end of year performance which really highlighted his growth as a performer. Hopefully the next will be in person!

The rest of my long-standing students, too, continue to push the boat out and and challenge themselves to more ambitious techniques. Of course, the opportunities to present my students for performance have been somewhat lacking so I am looking to start up student concerts again in the New Year.

A big welcome, too, to new students, all of which clearly have a love and innate aptitude for music. I look forward to helping them foster their talent.

So as you see, we are all alive and kicking at Benton Music HQ, and feeling probably a lot more positive all round than this time last year!

Stay safe everyone!

Steff

Monday 9 September 2019

Update: September 2019

Hello!

So, another year is speeding past, and I thought an update would be in order, starting with the smallest news first.



- I have added a section to this website on my teaching philosophies - please click here to have a look.

- In bigger news, Benton Music had its very first showcase last month at Truro Baptist Church, where a portion of my roster performed to friends and family. They are all at different stages of their learning journey with me so I am extremely proud of all involved.

- Finally ... my in-progress teaching studio, as of this week, will be completed with the installation of electric, and I will be teaching all future lessons in this space.

Want to be one of the first students in my brand-new professional space? Why not get in contact and book a taster session!

Sunday 25 November 2018

Hello all!

So I thought it prudent to update. The year has been rushing by at a rate of knots and before we know it, it will be 2019.
Myself and my students are doing wonderfully, and I have been proud of the progress all of them have made this year, even the ones that have only been with me for a short space of time.
We are beginning to spread our wings a little bit - some of my students have been busking, and some more have started to attend open mics. In the New Year I will be planning a Benton Music concert that all my students and their friends and family will be welcome to attend.

I recently completed my MA in Music; and results day is on the 11th December. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

- S

Saturday 17 March 2018

March 2018 update!

Hello, and welcome to Benton Music!
A lot has been happening at Benton Music HQ - notably the development of a dedicated teaching and recording space in the pipeline.
Also a big congratulations to one of my students, Maia, for her performances at Cornwall Music Festival in Truro this year. Yesterday, she came first in the category for Songs From The Shows with 89 points overall, and second in the Popular Song category with 87 points overall. Both performances achieved the mark "Distinction". This is a real milestone for her and her confidence development, and she of course performed beautifully. Well done!