Cristina Rubio – Singer

Vision of your relation with Artpeggios as a teacher:

From the very first day I had a very good feeling about Artpeggios. The very professional staff and superb facilities they have allows us teachers to just focus on passing on the knowledge to our students, knowing that we can use the best resources available, like recording or using microphones/keyboards so that the student can get a real understanding of how to sing and use the sound equipment in a professional way from the beginning.

How do you see your teaching methods evolving and the way you pass on to your students your knowledge?

Working at Artpeggios is challenging in one way or another every day. I encounter new students regularly, of different ages, levels and styles, so I tailor every lesson for each individual to develop his own sound, recognise what aspects of their singing might need more focus and give them plenty of tools to work on it. It’s really fulfilling to see how everybody is improving so much already!

What is your aim as a teacher?

The most important thing for me is that the student understands his/her instrument: how to breathe properly, to take care of their voices and to develop a good intonation amongst others.

As singers, we don’t have any “buttons” to press or keys to play when we want to sing a note, so I focus on aural training as well as singing technique to help my students develop their ears as well as their voices.

Why Artpeggios?

Artpeggios has a really friendly and understanding environment, which is the first reason why every teacher is happy to work here! I also love the fact that all the students in the school are very musical, so it’s a pleasure to teach people that really want to learn.

Why in London? Other activities you may have?

London is just one of the most vibrant cities to work in! As a musician, you get inspired by so many artists, and the work opportunities expand to all Europe too when a project is succesful. I will definitely be here for the foreseable future as long as I can keep doing music full-time.

As well as teaching at Artpeggios, I lead Pop/Soul and advanced Jazz Singing workshops at The Institute, and adult-learning university in East Finchley. Random facts: I’m also training to run my first half-marathon next year!

Do you perform in London, or anywhere else?

I perform regularly in London and UK mainly, although I get to perform around Europe with some other projects too. Last year I toured Brazil with my band for two months and next Spring I will also be in New York for a few days, working on my debut album, which will come out in 2014.

Your favorite artists:

I love all kinds of music really! The singers that probably have most influenced me are Eva Cassidy, Erykah Badu, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin… Any soulful artist that really means what he/she sings, I can never get enough of those!

Jovana Backovic – Composer, Pianist, Singer

Jovana Backovic is a composer, pianist and singer with main interest in work, electroacoustic music and music improvisation mediated by technology. Her music history features two studio releases with electronic/folk duo ArHai with whom she regularly performs in Uk and Europe ( including Balkans ) as well as several scores for feature and documentary movies. ArHai has been generously supported with Arts Council Grants For the Arts.

Jovana’s current research lies within the field of electro-acoustic music and live improvisational performance – exploring and mapping the process of the creation and development of individual music identity through improvisation and the use of technology, which is the main subject of her PhD thesis.

Vision of your relation with Artpeggios as a teacher:

I see myself as musically open-minded individual, and I believe in combining different approaches to teaching – since every pupil is different,  it is important not only to balance the expectations and ability, but also to adjust to every student and help them to find their own way to musical expression.

How do you see your teaching methods evolving and the way you pass on to your student your knowledge?

Firstly,I try to approach every student as a new experience and a new challenge, but the aim is always the same: to deliver an engaging and exciting lesson which will inspire them to practice and work themselves. This involves constant learning of new music, new approaches, but the crucial factor is being excited and engaged with the particular music myself while teaching.  Secondly, it is important to follow and respect student’s taste in music as well as initiating him/her in music that they haven’t been exposed to, therefore hopefully opening new musical horizons.

What is your aim as a teacher?

To develop inherited musicality in each student and help them approach the musicianship as exciting and worth while in a long run.

Why Artpeggios?

Artpeggios is the institution that combines supportive environment with all the musical and latest technological tools to help an enthusiastic teacher to do his work with maximum efficiency.

Why in London? Other activities you may have?

If a person is an ambitious musician, London is the city to live in. Aside from teaching, I’m currently focusing on finishing PhD thesis in music composition and working on my own compositions that will be premiered in the 2014/2015 music season.

Do you perform in London or anywhere else?

In London mostly, then on the Balkans and Europe.

Your favorite artists:

 listen to artists/bands that belong to many different genres, so the list is long.

My favourite composers are mostly people writing scores for films, some of them are: Basil Poledouris, Michael Nyman, Myshael Danna.

Favourite atists/bands vary from different music eras and genres, some of them:  Tool ( metal ), Japan ( pop/electronica ) Dzihan & Kamien ( electronica/dub ) Meshell Ndegeocello ( funk/soul ), Peter Murphy ( alt-rock/glam rock, nu-jazz ) Trilok Gurtu ( world music/ethnic jazz ) and veterans like U2 and my favourite funk/soul/jazz artist Prince!

Alexandra Petropoulos – Journalist, Musician, Ethnomusicologist

How do you see your teaching methods evolving and the way you pass on to your students your knowledge?

I approach every student as an individual. What works for one doesn’t always help another learn. So my teaching methods are constantly evolving and developing to help my students make the most of their lessons. I’ve been known to include from games, theatrics and even Legos in my lessons, as Iong as it helps my students progress!

What is your aim as a teacher?

Music matters. And learning it leads to a greater appreciation of our world well beyond the realm of clefs and scales. Through teaching, I hope to help beginning and intermediate students hone that appreciation and build a solid foundation in flute technique, interpretation, repertoire, and theory.

Why Artpeggios?

Artpeggios is a top-quality school, with great facilities and amazing staff who are so encouraging to their students. I’ve never seen an unhappy student within those walls!

Why in London? Other activities you may have?

London is a wonderful city where you can hear any kind of music you like – even the more obscure instruments like Japanese shakuhachi (bamboo flute)!

Do you perform in London or anywhere else?

Occasionally perform with various groups in London and have participated on both recordings and film soundtracks.

Your favorite artists:

Emmanuel Pahud, Jean-Pierre Rampal and Ian Clarke.