Tom Potten started playing piano at the age of 7. Over his teenage years he developed a love for the music of Scott Joplin, which spurred him on to further studies in music. Pushing the boundaries of creativity became a great passion, and he gained a 2:1 degree in contemporary (classical) music from London College of Music in 2002. Since then he has attained Yamaha Music Teacher status, has directed choirs and has established himself as a prominent and busy musician and teacher.

 

 

Tom currently works as a piano teacher, both freelance and within local schools. As of March 2011, he will also be teaching from Cadenza Music School, which he founded himself with two other experienced local teachers. You can find a link to this on the Links & Guestbook page. Tom previously worked at the Billericay Music Academy for 8 years as both piano teacher and administrator. If you are thinking of learning the piano, please feel free to telephone or send an e-mail. Anyone can learn the piano; it takes a little patience and a positive attitude. Lessons are fun and are often done in a light-hearted way, encouraging the student to relax, and get the best results. There are various teaching methods employed according to each student's individual needs: the traditional and straight-ahead method of the passing of knowledge from one to another, through to colour coding music notation and using games for young children or people with learning difficulties. You can learn for fun or towards exams.  Either will require you to practise to get results but whatever happens, your teacher will always to get a result that is satisfactory to you and hopefully a little more. 

 

 

Tom is also available for accompaniments for exams or auditions. These are daunting at the best of times, as both children and adults are maybe a little unsure what to expect.  A common fear among auditionees and exam candidates is that if they do anything wrong they will be leapt upon. This is NOT the case, and with a friendly accompanist who you have worked with (by having a few practice sessions) before the big event, you should be a little more relaxed. In these accompaniment sessions, Tom will work with you to enable you to produce your best musical performance.

 

 

 

He is also a professional church organist and can be booked for weddings, baptisms and funerals. He is often out and about on Sunday mornings, come rain or shine, playing at the ordinary Sunday masses.

 

 

 

In addition, Tom works in the more commercial (yet no less serious) music trade with local and respected musicians. He is a member of the band Programmed2Function, a busy function/events covers outfit, with long time music associates Marc Wotherspoon and Ben Fisher. He also works with Chris Harrington and Marc Wotherspoon (again) within his own Jazz Trio, available for performance, parties or background.

 

You can find more information and audio samples of any of these on this website. Please feel free to e-mail or drop a line if you have any enquiries, large or small. Prices for any booking (teaching or performing) are available on request.

 

 

 

Working with Chris Harrington (Bass) at anopen air event in 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Below) With Ben Fisher and

Marc Wotherspoon in Hockley Studios, 2010.