Celebration Music

FANCY yourself as the next Louis Armstrong or Elton John? Or want the perfect music accompaniment for a special occasion? Well Scremerston- based Celebration Music could be just what you’re looking for.

Run by the multi-talented Vanessa Richards, who boasts both piano and trumpet playing to her musical bow, Celebration Music offers one-to-one tuition as well as a performance hire service.

Vanessa moved up to the area four years ago and although she only started Celebration Music up six months ago it has already proven quite a hit in Berwick and further afield.

“I think there must have been a gap in the market for this kind of tuition in the area,” Vanessa said.

“I know of a few other piano teachers but there obviously aren’t enough as I’ve already got seven students on my books. I also think there’s not the same kind of free musical tuition in schools that there was when I was growing up.

“Word seemed to spread quite quickly about the business; I started by just sending flyers to school and then leafleted some of the other villages and it all took off from there.

“I think word of mouth is also important when it comes to this kind of thing.”

Vanessa who has a degree in music from the University of Huddersfield and a Masters from the Open University, is open to teaching students of all ages and abilities and said it wasn’t necessary for student to have their own instrument.

“My lessons tend to last for half an hour and even if a person has never picked up an instrument before they are welcome to come along. At the moment trumpet is proving more popular than piano and I have a few teenage students which was a bit of surprise.

“Most students want to progress through their exams for one reason or another so I’ll concentrate on more of the classical stuff with them but I’m also happy to take people who just want to play more jazzy music for fun.”

Vanessa has been playing piano for around 30 years and trumpet for 35 and cites famous musician Wynton Marsalis as her big influence.

And as well as passing on her skills to others she is also available for bookings for functions, her most recent one being for an anniversary party at Hoscote House in Hawick.

She continued: “I’ll perform at pretty much anything really; I’ve done quite a few performances for shooting parties in the Borders where people will want some piano music in the background while they’re eating and I’ve also done weddings when people will want a trumpet playing as they make their entrance.

“I’ve only done a few things in the Berwick area so far - Christmas has been quite busy with carol concerts - but I’m keen to do some more.”

Vanessa’s piano, trumpet and keyboard lessons cost £12.50 for 30 minutes and if bought in bulk you can get 11 for the price of 10.