Derby drummer Neil Cooper from alternative rock band Therapy? has launched a new website ‘Music Tutor’s Hero’ this week, helping self-employed music teachers deliver interactive lessons for pupils and parents whilst enhancing their teaching business.
Music teachers who provide independent instrumental and vocal lessons in schools, homes and music shops across the country will have access to the cloud-based web programme which was created and developed in Derbyshire.
Neil who, when not touring or recording with Therapy?, teaches drums in two Derbyshire schools, says the idea for the website came to him when he was looking for a way to organise his teaching sessions more effectively. He was also keen to ensure parents became more involved and had more visibility over their child’s progress.
Neil who was recently nominated for the Made in Derby ‘walk of fame’, says, “I was teaching in schools, music shops and pupils’ homes, and I realised the organisation of each student’s lesson plans and notes could be simpler and should be easily accessible for parents. Today, quite rightly, parents want to be involved in their child’s learning and expect to see feedback and updates of their child’s progress. Easily lost hand written notes are no longer acceptable yet remain the norm for most self-employed music teachers who teach at several locations, from private homes to schools, dealing with different systems to store their notes.”
“I want to help music teachers save time and effort by allowing all their records to be in one place and not only accessible to them, but also to the student and their parents – from anywhere on any device.
Neil continues, “The idea was simple, all lesson notes, video demonstrations, invoices and planning would be online. Lesson reminders will also be sent automatically to pupils and parents. Using the website myself, I no longer require bags full of books and hand-written notes. My drumming students simply turn up to the lesson with their sticks – everything else is on their phone or tablet.”
Neil adds, “The media library is particularly appealing allowing tutors to store and play audio or video clips. This is very handy for teachers demonstrating techniques and for recording pupils, showing their progress and achievements. It’s also a great bonus for the students who understand this concept immediately. They love the fact we can record them playing drums in a lesson and they can replay the clip on the website to their family and friends.”
To find out more about Music Tutor’s Hero, visit www.MusicTutorsHero.co.uk
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