Andrew Eales    Born in Surrey in 1966, Andrew grew up in Bedford from age 6. He developed an interest in music from an early age, received some of the best professional training available, and now enjoys a successful career as a musician and teacher.    Andrew has an established reputation as one of the most widely respected and sought after music teachers in the Milton Keynes region, and is well known nationally for his expertise in music education. He has worked as a consultant for many of the UK's leading music education organisations, including the world's leading graded music examination provider, the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.   Read his professional biography here, then explore the Keyquest Music site to learn more about his current activities and listen to his performances and compositions. For further information please feel free to contact Andrew via email.

Education and Training   Oakham School: Music Scholarship [1977-1979] Bedford Modern School: Music Scholarship [1979-1984] Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London: Junior Exhibitionist [1982-1984] University of Birmingham: Music Undergraduate [1984-1987] Birmingham Conservatoire (instrumental tuition) [1984-1987] Royal College of Music, London: Postgraduate Performer [1987-1988]     Qualifications   amateur: ABRSM Flute Grade 8: Distinction [1981] ABRSM Piano Grade 8: Distinction [1982] ABRSM Theory of Music Grade 8: Distinction [1982] Music A'Level: Grade A [1984]   professional: Bachelor of Music Degree  (B.Mus. Honours), University of Birmingham [1987] Associate of the Royal College of Music: ARCM [1988] Certificate of Advanced Study, Royal College of Music [1988]   prizes: Roland Gregory Memorial Prize for Music, University of Birmingham [1987] Raymond Russell Harpsichord Prize (Royal College of Music) [1988]   It is important to understand that these are professional music qualifications. There are some music teachers who claim to be “qualified” but actually mean that they trained as a Primary School class teacher (for example). Qualifications such as the P.G.C.E. or B.Ed  do NOT qualify a person to provide specialist instrumental tuition (unless of course they also have relevant professional music qualifications or experience). Also sometimes people mistakenly assume that Grade 8 qualifies a person to teach their instrument, but the exam boards are quite clear in identifying Grade 8 as the highest amateur qualification. This must be followed by taking the Diploma examination before a person can properly claim to be qualified to teach their instrument.   Career   Chappell of Bond Street, London: Sales Assistant [1988] EMI Classics, London: Recording Contracts [1989-1990] EMI Records UK, London: Recording Contracts [1990-1992] EMI Records UK, London: Freelance Consultant [1992-1995] Private Music Teaching: since 1992 Milton Keynes Music Service: Piano & Keyboard Teacher [1994-1997] Milton Keynes Music Service: Faculty Leader: Piano & Keyboard [1997-2005] National Electronic Keyboard Courses: Co-Director, UK Summer School [2006] sponsored by Roland UK and ABRSM   Since 2005 Andrew has concentrated full time on consultancy work, publishing, and developing his Private Music Teaching Practice in Milton Keynes.     Publications   As Author: Keyboard Conquest Book One (1996, rev. 1999) Keyboard Conquest Book Two  (1997, rev 1999) Keyquest One  (2002) Keyquest Two  (2002) Keyquest Three  (2002) Keyquest Four  (2002) KEYBAND!  (2002)   As contributor: A Common Approach 2002 [Faber Music] Ideas In, Music Out: using technology in music education (NAME, 2003) All Together Now! (ABRSM Publishing, 2004) Raising an Amazing Musician - You, Your Child, and Music (ABRSM Publishing, 2009)   As Composer & Arranger: Keyboards Together! Book 1  (ABRSM Publishing, 2008) Keyboards Together! Book 2  (ABRSM Publishing, 2008) Keyboards Together! Book 4  (ABRSM Publishing, 2008) Keyboards Together! Book 5  (ABRSM Publishing, 2008)   Articles:  Andrew has written articles on music in education, published by: Music Teacher Magazine NAME Magazine Classroom Music The Guardian Primary Files     Consultancy   Andrew has been a musical and educational advisor to the following organisations: Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) Royal College of Music National Association of Music Educators Federation of Music Services Trinity College London Guildhall School of Music   Andrew has been a guest speaker at educational conferences organised by the following: Trinity Guildhall Examinations (Examiners International Conference) ABRSM (CtABRSM Mentor Training Conference) Federation of Music Services (National Conference) National Association of Music Educators (National Conference)   Andrew has provided training for piano and keyboard teachers in the following Music Services throughout the UK: Bedfordshire Youth Music Milton Keynes Music Service East Sussex Music Service West Sussex Music Service Wiltshire Music Service Oxfordshire County Music Service Wigan Music Service Croydon Music Service Devonshire County Music Service Lancashire Music Service Cumbria Music Service Bath and North East Somerset Music Service Solihull Music Service Norfolk Music Service