Julia Hartmann

I have been working as a freelance musician - piano teacher and pianist - since graduating as a postgraduate performer from the Royal College of Music, London having completed a BA Honours Degree in Music from the University of Nottingham.

I have prepared many pupils for ABRSM examinations over the years and a very large number have achieved distinctions in these exams, with some pupils gaining distinctions in every single grade from Grade 1 all the way through to Grade 8! I have also successfully prepared students for the ARSM, Dip ABRSM and LRSM Performing Diplomas and currently have students preparing for the highest diploma - FRSM.

Many of my pupils have been awarded music scholarships at both 11+ and Sixth Form entry level for schools including St Edmund’s Hindhead, Royal School, St Catherine’s Bramley, Winchester College (Scholars’ College), Guildford High School, Tormead, Cranleigh and Churcher’s. Several have gone on to study at Music College (RNCM, RCM, RAD), LIPA and University (Oxbridge, Surrey University, UEA).

My pupils have won trophies at many of the local competitive festivals including Chichester, Farnham and Basingstoke (Recital Class). A pupil also won the Senior Special Trophy for the most outstanding performance at the Aldershot Festival.

Students have performed concertos with their school orchestras. Most recently a performance of Shostakovich Piano Concerto No 2 by a music scholar at Guildford High School who was also preparing for a diploma at the same time.

Before setting up my private teaching practice I taught at Nottingham High School for Girls and Tiffin Girls’ School among other places as well as working as a repetiteur for ballet classes.

I work with my students on all aspects of their pianistic education, introducing a love of the piano repertoire and different aspects of piano technique over and above the usual Scale and Arpeggio requirements for exams. My students work on Sight Reading techniques from pre Grade 1 and I include aural training in the the lesson time. I encourage students to memorise as soon as I am confident that they are secure note readers. I believe communication with parents, as well as parental support, are invaluable, particularly with younger pupils in the early stages of learning.

I am a Steinway Artist and perform regularly as a soloist. I have also been a member of a piano trio and have a piano duo with my husband Bela Hartmann (www.belahartmann.com) and the Japanese pianist Yukie Wake. My work as a professional pianist also means that I am constantly practising what I encourage my pupils to do! I work on all aspects of performance with my pupils, including stage presentation and careful programme planning.

I also offer Theory lessons and usually prepare my pupils myself for the required Grade 5 theory which is obligatory for anyone wishing to take Grade 6 Practical and above.

Read more about my performing career at www.juliahartmann.net