Welcome to the testimonials page. Please read what Craig's students have to say about their experiences. These are abridged versions; the full testimonials are on the main site.
Share your experiences! If you've something you'd like to tell the world about your lessons, email it to us, or post it on our facebook page.
More testimonials will be added over time, so please return to this page in the future.
"Patient, funny and makes lessons fun!"
I have been having lessons with Craig for almost three years. He is a very good teacher and I have learnt a lot. He is patient, funny and makes lessons fun! I look forward to my lessons each week. Jake, Age 10
"I can not tell you how Craig has changed our lives"
My son had been playing piano for 5 years and at 11 was about to sit his Grade 4 classical piano when he informed us he wanted to quit. We agreed he should pass his Grade 4 and then he could choose. He took his exam in December and just failed, so we decided to try a new teacher.
We wanted a young male teacher that he could relate to. With Craig, he re-sat his exam and passed, and is now playing music that he wants to play (Coldplay and Vanessa Carlton to name just two). I can't tell you how Craig has changed our lives.
He is thoroughly enjoying his lessons and playing at home. I don't think he sees this as practice anymore. He asks us to come and listen, where before we asked him to practice. A very happy parent in Wrea Green
"I have been able to play music I thought I would only ever listen to"
I was quite nervous before my first lesson, as at that time I was barely able to read the bass clef and at 39, thought that maybe I had left it a bit late to start learning to play. Craig was very positive and encouraging. He assessed my level of playing and gave me some pieces to practice.
I am thrilled at the progress I have made since then. Craig chooses pieces that challenge me (including Chopin, Mozart and Beethoven), and although these have sometimes seemed impossible to start with, after a few weeks of work, I have been able to play music I thought I would only ever listen to. Mrs B. Burton
"Craig has given me the confidence to play again"
I am 54 years old and have neglected my piano for 35 of these years. I asked Craig to try to retrieve any ability I once had, simply so that I could occasionally "perform" - not for any qualifications or career benefits.
Through a mixture of encouragement and gentle pushing, Craig has given me the confidence to play again. He has introduced me to a whole new range of music, especially Ragtime, which was "out of bounds" with my piano teacher when I was young. This has turned out to be great fun & reignited my enthusiasm to play properly, rather than "muddling along" as I had been happy to before. Hilary Lee
'I've been taking my piano lessons for 6 months and I'm taking my grade 2 next week!'
I've been trying to learn the piano on my own on and off for the past couple of years, but never really got anywhere. I've been taking lessons with Craig for nearly 6 months and feel like I'm improving every week. He explains things in a way that makes sense, helps me understand the reasons why I should play a piece in a certain way, and his methods mean that I feel confident enough that I'm taking my grade 2 next week! I'm looking forward to continuing my lessons and really getting to know the piano and music in general. Les Cochrane, 32
"Craig listens to what you want to do"
I have been receiving music tuition from Craig for nearly three months. In that time I feel I have progressed more than I did in the twelve months before with my previous tutor. The main difference has been that Craig listens to what you want to do, not just following a set syllabus week by week.
I went for keyboard lessons and now find myself learning both keyboard and contemporary piano styles of playing. I look forward to my lessons now each week. Stuart Braid (retired)
"When work is very stressful I now have a wonderful hobby that helps me relax"
I am in my late 40's and decided some 18 months ago to finally learn to play the piano (it was on my list of things to do before I am 50 and something I have always wanted to do from being a child).
Craig is a wonderful piano teacher and is very patient and encouraging. I do not have a lot of confidence but when I feel like giving up he always manages to give me the motivation to carry on. I thought that my lessons and practice might consist of playing scales for hours on end but this is not the case. Craig has shown / taught me a variety of styles of playing and I am presently really enjoying playing blues and jazz. I cannot say how much enjoyment I am getting from learning a new skill and when work is very stressful I now have a wonderful hobby that helps me relax. Sandra Brookes
"Finding Craig has kept my enthusiasm alive, and is generating new enthusiasm in my Grandson"
I decided I wanted to play the piano, mainly as accompaniment to back my (mostly blues) vocals and guitar. I didn't want to spend years doing exams and grades. I wasn't sure this would be possible but I was fortunate to find Craig; he quickly understood what I wanted, and tailored his lessons to fit in with my requests.
Craig keeps me musically correct whilst allowing me to have an input into the lessons. I have an idea of what I'd like to learn and Craig structures both theory and practical exercises into helping me achieve my self-set goals. I'm very pleased with the way Craig puts across what he wants me to learn but lets me think it's my idea!
As a spin off to my piano lessons, my 7 year old Grandson decided he'd like to learn piano too, and Craig now spends time teaching either end of the age spectrum. I just wish I picked things up as quickly as Dylan.
Finding Craig has kept my enthusiasm alive, and is generating new enthusiasm in my Grandson. Thank you Craig. Dave Parkin