Music Lesson by Marina Heywood Lieberman

Hi, my name is Marina Heywood Lieberman. I'm a classically trained pianist and have been playing piano since the age of 4. I studied piano in Russia, Germany, and America, receiving a Master of Music degree in piano performance and music teaching.

Performing on stage all over the world and teaching piano is my absolute passion. That's why my husband and I founded Music Teachers London in 2015. Here, we not only match students with the right teacher but also collaborate with industry professionals and music labels.

Guiding Young Musicians

We spot young promising musicians and guide them on their exciting journey throughout the music industry. This involves:

• Helping them prepare demos
• Getting ready for showcases
• Supporting them to perform at their best in the unfamiliar environment of a recording studio

This can include playing to a click or listening to criticism from a producer.

Collaboration with Labels and Students

We strive to help labels collaborate with students and their families to withstand the pressures of the music industry.

• Some of my students are performing in West End shows
• Some have been signed to a label, either as performers or publishers
• Others are touring with bands or working for television

Notable Projects

I also teach movie stars. For instance, my latest project involved preparing Dame Maggie Smith for her role in The Lady in the Van, which I thoroughly enjoyed. This experience reinforced my belief that no matter how old you are or how much experience you have in music, everyone can unlock their musical potential.

Teaching Philosophy

A good teacher should always be willing to show their student how to conquer the difficulties in a particular piece by:

• Playing it
• Explaining it at a pace slow enough for the student to understand

This approach helps achieve the best performance, and of course, the chemistry between the teacher and student should align.

My Performance Journey

One of my most exciting performances was on BBC Asia. At that time, I participated in a beauty contest in Germany, and when I won Miss Talent, they asked me to perform a nice piece on the piano in front of a camera team. Little did I know it would be broadcasted to over a billion viewers on BBC Asia.

Since then, I've performed with orchestras like the Bavarian Symphony Orchestra and played in prestigious venues like the Royal Albert Hall. I've had the pleasure of performing music for various labels and collaborating on different projects. My latest was with Alexis French, a contemporary composer.

Classical Crossover Style

In the last 10 years, I've been performing as a classical crossover pianist, developing my unique style that combines classical grades with symphonic instrumentation and orchestrations.

The best thing about classical crossover for me is putting a little part of myself into the music I play. I incorporate not just classical elements but also infuse pop and rock techniques. For instance, I recorded a version of "Apologize" and Madonna's "Frozen" on piano with added orchestration, creating a sound that resonates with me.

This inspires my students to realize that the music we listen to on platforms like YouTube or the radio can be interpreted in different contexts and for different instruments.

Rock School Syllabus

Exactly this idea is where the Rock School prepares students on piano. What I like about the Rock School syllabus is the variety of genres students get to play throughout their grades.

• There's a wide range of repertoire, including music from Rihanna to Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody
• Students also explore some Latin music and hard rock, like "Hard to Handle"

This unique aspect of the syllabus allows students to try various techniques and vibes of music before deciding what is right for them to continue with.

I had great joy practicing and recording these pieces for you all, and I hope you have as much fun practicing them too!