About Our School
Our Music School was established in 1988 and since then has provided expert piano tuition delivered by experienced professionals with teaching diplomas from The Royal College of Music and Trinity College London
Teacher
Andrew Smith BA (Hons)
ARCM (Teachers)
FISM
Andrew is a pianist, examiner, accompanist and arranger whose career has taken him across three continents, encompassing an unusually broad range of musical and educational experiences. Based in Manchester since 1996, he is co-owner of Altrincham Music School, where he teaches piano alongside his work as an arranger, composer and contributor to the Trinity Electronic Keyboard syllabus.
Since joining Trinity College London in 2004, Andrew has examined extensively throughout the UK and internationally, assessing graded examinations and diplomas. His work brings together a wealth of practical performing and teaching experience with a broad understanding of musical interpretation, technical development and performance standards across a range of levels.
Andrew’s musical foundations were established at Leicester University, where he studied piano with James Walker and Marlene Fleet. A scholarship took him to Poland to attend the Warsaw Contemporary Music Festival, an experience that broadened his musical horizons and developed his interest in contemporary music. He subsequently became an Associate of the Royal College of Music and began his teaching career at Bilton Grange and Rugby School.
An international outlook led him to Cairo, where he spent nine years leading music departments at two large international schools. Alongside his teaching and leadership responsibilities, he performed extensively throughout Egypt, taught undergraduates at the Cairo Conservatoire and learned Arabic. This period brought together his interests in performance, education and working across different musical and cultural traditions.
His international career continued in Iceland, where he joined the staff of Vesturbyggð Music School in Patreksfjörður. His musical activities extended well beyond teaching, encompassing choral accompaniment, composing, arranging and saxophone quartet performance. He also conducted two wind bands on tours in Iceland and Norway, further broadening his experience as a musical director and ensemble leader.
Today, Andrew combines his work as an educator and Trinity examiner with an active involvement in arranging, composition and performance. His career reflects a longstanding commitment to musical versatility, professional development and the exploration of music across styles, ensembles and educational settings. He is a member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians and the European Piano Teachers Association.
Teacher
Karen Ward LTCL (Teachers)
MISM
Karen is an established and highly experienced music educator who has taught throughout the North West since 1987. Based in Southport, she is co-owner of Altrincham Music School, where she teaches piano and brings an exceptional depth of experience to her work with musicians of all ages and abilities.
Throughout her career, Karen has combined practical teaching expertise with a wider commitment to shaping music education. Her work has spanned the state and private sectors, from teaching in schools and music centres to establishing and running her own music schools.She has a particular passion for developing young musicians, building strong musical foundations and nurturing the confidence, understanding and independence that enable pupils to flourish as performers.
Beyond the classroom, Karen has made a significant contribution to teacher development across the country. She has presented music workshops in primary schools nationwide, planned and delivered initial teacher training and follow-up seminars, and undertaken quality assurance work, helping to maintain and develop teaching standards. This breadth of experience has given her a valuable perspective on both effective classroom practice and the wider professional development of music educators.
More recently, Karen has co-ordinated music provision in two primary schools across Lancashire and Sefton, delivering whole-class music across Key Stages 1 and 2. Her approach draws on Kodály pedagogy and methodology, enriched by Voices Foundation techniques, placing singing, active participation and the development of musical understanding at the heart of learning.
A Licentiate of Trinity College London and a member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, Karen combines extensive practical experience with a sustained commitment to musical excellence, teacher development and the advancement of music education.