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With 39% of over 65’s having never used the Internet, at 70 years old Shirley Richardson demonstrates the ease and benefits of being digitally connected by taking live online piano lessons in her home. 

Since the age of 9 Shirley kept a passion for piano but it is only now, at 70, that she felt she could turn her lifelong dream into reality. In a positive and dynamic decision, Shirley signed up for piano lessons delivered by Skype technology and has surprised everyone by loving her online learning experience.  Shirley virtually met piano teacher Lorraine Wild in February 2015. Lorraine, 22, works with Your Space Music Lessons and earned a first class honours degree in music at the Conservatoire of Dijon, France and is now studying to become a concert performer at Leeds University. Conversely Shirley's long and impressive secretarial career began working for British Railways at the age of 15. Today’s Internet world makes it possible to connect these two diverse people to transfer knowledge and skills despite physical distance.

Shirley explained what happened, 'I went on the internet for music teachers in Winchester and eventually came across "yourspacemusic" and having read the story I thought it sounded really interesting and I wouldn't have to leave the house which I find a massive bonus. It really was very very simple. So I got my mini Ipad and we positioned it on a music chair alongside the piano and that was it, Olwen said 'I can see your piano'.'

Online education services such as Your Space Music Lessons can open up a world of possibilities and bring to you the expertise to help fulfil lifelong dreams, or simply tackle loneliness. Learning a language, learning to cook, or even learning to play the accordion can all be done online one-to-one with Skype. For elderly people such as Eunice Wardle, 86 who felt so lonely and disconnected with society, recently wrote to the Manchester Evening News that ‘’no one wants you when you’re old’. Perhaps connecting with Skype could help reduce that sense of isolation so you regularly see a friendly face to ease the buildup of loneliness. Help is also available from organisations like Tinder Foundation and its network of 5,000 UK online centres, which provide free digital skills training through the online learning platform ‘Learn My Way’. Since 2010 they have helped over 1.4 million people learn how to use the internet confidently.

Online lessons can be just as effective as a face-to-face format according to Olwen MacLeod, Teaching Director, at Your Space Music Lessons who carried out a yearlong trial before launching the service, 'the enjoyment of using skype and the experience it entails seems to develop a friendly relationship, not only that but the progression of students has been impressive as we transport teachers into the heart of a home where a pupil feels most comfortable.' Shirley Richardson agrees 'you actually feel quite close to one another, it's personal…and it’s the nicest way for me to learn to play the piano in my home.’

Help to get online is available from www.learnmyway.com

We are proud to be the first UK Music School specialising in personal one-to-one online music lessons using Skype technology.  This online learning experience gives you flexibility and freedom to learn wherever you are, with high quality music teachers from the UK and around the world.

Try Skype music lessons with an introductory offer; a free informal introductory session + a further 3 lessons for £30.  To apply simply register on our website.  We will then contact you to arrange a free Skype session to discuss taking lessons with us; what music you like or would like to learn; the best camera positions to achieve the optimum tuition; and begin with a few relevant music skills to try.

During the session we will tell you how to book the welcome offer of 3 lessons for £30. If you would like to continue and book lessons you can pay for them online in your own time and schedule your lessons to fit around you. 

Follow these simple steps to book your lessons

1. Visit www.yourspacemusiclessons.com

2. Login with your username and password 

3. Select the welcome lessons bundle

4. Pay online with paypal 

5. Schedule your lessons with your allocated teacher

6. Be ready for your teacher at your lesson time

Teaching Director, Olwen MacLeod, recently participated in an article for Music Teacher magazine for a piece of Distance Learning. Olwen discussed the highs and the lows of setting up the school and told of the opportunities it is giving to many people who want to learn the piano.  In the article she recalls,

'the main challenge was reversing a poor perception that such a project could work. But we spent a considerable amount of time finding the right cameras, the right microphones and suitable software to make everything work properly.'

'It is both exciting and rewarding to bring music teaching to people in this way and I am encouraged to meet so many new people who really want to learn the piano.'

Olwen MacLeod, Your Space Music Lessons, (Music Teacher Magazine Feb 2015)

During 2015 we are delighted to be highlighting the highly popular work of UK composer, arranger and pianist Stephen J Wood and giving our pupils the chance to receive a masterclass from the composer himself. YSML pupils will be learning to play some of his pieces from his recently launched series ‘Contemporary Scottish Collection for Piano’ Books 1,2 and 3. Using the framework of well known and not so well known Scottish songs his compositions instill the essence of the Highlands and Islands with classical and jazz overtones.

Teaching Director Olwen MacLeod is thrilled with the opportunity,  'getting the right music for the right pupil is one of the main ingredients for successful music lessons.  Introducing our pupils to the music of Stephen J Wood has opened doors bringing light and fresh air (and the occasional gust of wind! - try ‘The Surge of the Sea’) to our pupils' musical journey.'

Dr Stephen J Wood from being a University Lecturer and Teacher now devotes his time to composition and private tuition.  He commented 'I'm very excited about working alongside YourSpace music teachers and students to introduce you to these beautiful Gaelic and Scottish melodies arranged for piano, and look forward to sharing them with you as you learn, play and perform them'.

We are delighted to say that Your Space Music Lessons pupils who are learning one of Stephen J Wood’s pieces will have the opportunity of an online one-to-one masterclass with him at the later stages of learning the piece! We look forward to working with Stephen in the coming year!