Isaac is an award-winning clarinettist, teacher and arranger. He graduated with Distinction from the Royal College of Music as an HR Taylor Trust Scholar, studying Masters of Performance. In 2021, he graduated first class as a Bachelor of Music from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, where he won the college's Concerto Competition. He is originally from a small village in Northamptonshire.
At a young age, Isaac has a wealth of experience in teaching across all levels of education. He has managed his private studio for half a decade, whilst currently holding the position of woodwind tutor at West London Free School, previously Loughton Music Academy Trust and World Heart Beat Music Academy. Alongside working with RCM & RWCMD Juniors departments, and RCM Sparks programmes as workshop support staff, Isaac has worked with the outreach departments of the London Mozart Players, Neville Holt Opera and Royal Scottish National Orchestra. He is also an ongoing self-employed tutor at BSharp Studios, Marie de Bry Arts Academy, Forte Lessons, Lycaeum Tutors, and London Music Tutors; he is also on the roster of the RCM Teaching Service. In 2022, his wind quintet, Ormonde Ensemble, won a place on the Wigmore Hall Chamber Tots Training and Development Scheme, a unique opportunity for musicians to develop their skills and experience as supporting musicians in early-year practice.
Isaac approaches teaching with a young, fresh mindset with a heavy focus on a strong musical foundation, problem-solving, practice “hacking”, determination and, above all, enjoyment. He has been commended for his relatability and calm, patient but efficient manner. He believes that the perfect teacher enables the pupil to become their own teacher! Being able to have clear direction and goals is of paramount importance. Also, having the capacity to ask “Why is this working/not working?” and having ideas on how to fix them is the fastest way to progress.
After studying performance psychology alongside his clarinet studies at RCM and during his exchange in Finland, Isaac is deeply passionate about how the mind affects how we play and practice. He draws mostly from academics such as Anders Ericsson and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, and countless world-leading clarinet players whom he has been fortunate to learn from.
Being an active professional musician by trade means Isaac is always striving to be on the top of his playing, which bolsters teaching practices immensely, allowing lessons to be driven through first-hand and recent experiences. This facilitates constantly fresh ideas for his pupils to work on alongside regular fundamentals. Isaac works regularly as a guest with some of the top orchestras in the country, such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales and London Mozart Players, among others. He has recently been appointed as one of the Philharmonia’s ‘MMSF Emerging Artists’ for the 2023/24 season.
Isaac’s rates factor in all the financial obligations of being self-employed, such as holiday pay, sick pay, pension contributions, familial leave, additional travel, increased preparation time or greater responsibility. Current inflation rates, including global food prices and transport costs, are also a continual factor in the fee. They also follow the recommended teaching rates for this location put forward by the Musician's Union, of which Isaac is a member. This is to avoid undercutting other tutors, whilst still wishing to provide affordable lessons.
Lessons can be 30, 45 or 60 minutes: 30 minutes is ideal for young beginners, 45 for adult beginners and older pupils. 60 minutes for advanced players or those who wish to learn Music Theory in tandem.
Do get in touch with Isaac to organise a lesson in Chiswick or the surrounding areas (within reason and subject to travel costs included), or to request more info!
