Hi, I'm Katherine and I run Tots in Tune music classes. I am a professional music educator with many years of experience teaching music to children aged 0-18 in many different contexts including schools, nurseries and baby classes.
I grew up in a musical family. In my family, it was always believed that singing to young children created future musicians. My grandparents were dedicated to singing to their children, all of whom became professional musicians. They always said it must have been because they sang to them when they were babies, though they claimed to have no particular talent themselves! I hope similarly to sow the seeds of musicianship in my children and the children who come to Tots in Tune! Growing up, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to learn to sing and play instruments – I learnt to violin and piano, played in orchestras and sang in the church choir.
After completing a maths degree, I studied the violin at Birmingham Conservatoire. After that, I completed teacher training and spent three years working as a primary school teacher. I then jumped ship and worked for Birmingham Music Service, teaching the music curriculum, conducting choirs and delivering whole-class violin lessons, as well as teaching piano and violin after school. Busy times! When I had my first child, I drastically reduced my teaching load and began running classes for babies and toddlers.
I moved to Mitcheldean in November 2021 whilst on maternity leave with my second child, Isaac. I wanted to create a class where parents and children can have fun making music together, sing the old favourites and also learn new songs to take home and enjoy, meet people and have a cuppa and a biscuit along the way. Tots in Tune was started in Mitcheldean and Ross-on-Wye where it is still running, and has also been into early years settings. Isaac has grown up and gone to nursery, and I now have a new little helper, Thomas, who came to his first class was just two months old.
These days in my spare time I play my violin and viola in orchestras and small ensembles. I also teach violin and piano at a local primary school.
Back to busy times as a Mum of three, I hope to expand Tots in Tune in the future when Thomas is a bit older, to deliver a variety of different classes and more. Watch this space!
