At the heart of my work is piano freedom
I teach from my home in central Cambridge, and also online.
Contact me to discuss your requirements.
Jazz piano teaching
My approach to jazz emphasises developing the musical ear, learning to read from chord charts, improvisation, and developing technical skills.
For those who would like to, I am happy to progress through the Associated Board jazz examinations for which I have an excellent record of success. I have had students go on to study jazz at the Birmingham Conservatoire and the Royal Academy of Music. I particularly welcome vocalists who would like to learn to accompany themselves. I usually ask that pupils have achieved a basic level of skill on the piano before embarking on jazz.
“If it’s reading music or playing by ear, it doesn’t matter - Vicki is the teacher for you”
Hadyn, age 13
Therapeutic teaching
At the heart of my work is piano freedom - helping students to explore the geography of the piano in a different way.
I work with pupils who may have had music therapy in the past and wish to continue developing their musical skills in a safe and supported way. Depending on the individual, the sessions incorporate a variety of elements, including: exploring different musical styles; playing and learning by ear; improvising; and composing. My aim is to be flexible with each individual, to help improve confidence and ability. I have many years of experience in teaching piano to children who are on the autistic spectrum.
“Vicki's flexible approach to teaching means that my son is developing both his natural talent and good technique.”
Claire, parent
Keyboard improvisation for music therapists
I welcome music therapists, both qualified and in training, who wish to improve their keyboard abilities.
The skills that I have acquired in jazz and my work in music therapy have helped me to develop a unique approach to this work. A student may, for whatever reason, feel stuck and in need of help in finding new ways to improvise in their music therapy provision. This may be particularly relevant for beginner pianists who want to improve their confidence, or for those who have done a lot of classical playing but have had little practice in improvisation skills. This teaching involves learning about chord harmony, improvisation techniques, musical structures, and ideas that can be practised through role playing. Part of this approach is informed by Tony Wigram’s teaching in keyboard improvisation in music therapy.
“As well as appreciating the constructive basis and creative outlook of lessons with Vicki, their influence has been invaluable in the development of my own improvisation techniques.”
Katy Bell, Music Therapist
Fees 2024
My lessons can vary in duration according to each individual’s requirements. My fee per hour is £45. Please contact me to discuss your interests and I'll be glad to provide additional information and advice. I am happy to discuss concessions for music therapy students.
Student performances
I am always delighted when my students have the opportunity to perform, and I am proud that they have granted me permission to share some of their moments.
Adam Pennington - Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Adam Pennington - The A Train
Testimonials
“Vicki has worked with my son Theo for a year now, both face-to-face and over Zoom (when necessitated by the lock down). Theo is 9 and he has a diagnosis of ASD. Vicki has the most wonderful approach that includes absolutely no pressure, a really very high degree of flexibility and such rich, creative input. Theo loves his time with Vicki and he has made incredible progress - for example, in concentration and confidence as well as sight reading and rhythm. He has experienced so much enjoyment and achievement and I am very grateful for Vicki’s musical and therapeutic skills, and her kindness. I can not recommend her highly enough.”
- Rosie Ensor, Parent
“Vicki is a breath of fresh air – her patience, enthusiasm and belief in our son has advanced his understanding, enjoyment and passion for jazz piano. The informal relaxed setting of her lessons and her ability to find tunes to inspire Haydn means that he is fiercely protective of his weekly piano lesson and will let nothing, bar illness, interfere with his time slot. It's a delight and pleasure to see Haydn leave his lesson in such a positive and happy frame of mind each week.”
- Fiona D., Parent
“My son's music therapist at school suggested that it would be appropriate to incorporate some piano teaching into his therapy sessions and recommended Vicki to me. The lessons he has with Vicki include improvisation and structured teaching, and it is wonderful for him to have the opportunity to freely express his musical ability. Vicki's flexible approach to teaching means that my son is developing both his natural talent and good technique. He loves music and thoroughly enjoys his weekly sessions with Vicki.”
- Claire L., Parent
“Vicki is a really good teacher and she is able to cater for differing needs. If it's reading music or playing by ear – it doesn't matter, Vicki is the teacher for you. She teaches me by ear and I love it. If I ever go into her house grumpy, I always come out happy.”
- Haydn D., Age 13
“Vicki has made me a much better piano player in such a short time! I am now confidently singing and playing together and enjoy my lesson every week. She is kind and patient and explains things so that I always understand. My skills, technique and knowledge is getting better and better, she's great!”
- Adam P., Age 14
I love doing jazz YOU ROCK VICKI.
- Joseph L., Age 10
“As well as appreciating the constructive basis and creative outlook of lessons with Vicki, their influence has been invaluable in the development of my own improvisation techniques, broadening a classically trained palette and helping to bring new possibilities for rhythmic texture and harmonic colour into sessions with clients. Trained as a music therapist herself, Vicki is thoughtful about the variety of musical situations that arise within the profession. Lessons are unpressured and accessible on many levels, led by the student’s own experience and changing needs. For me they are moments to be cherished: enlivening and truly playful.”
- Katy Bell, Music Therapist
“So happy we found Vicki to teach our son Jazz piano. He has become an amazing jazz pianist and accompanying himself singing is also a skill she has enabled him to accomplish to a very proficient standard in less than a year. We have such pleasure watching his confidence and skills develop under her tuition and listening to an array of wonderful jazz standards he is adding to his repertoire. He is always happy to practice and work on his pieces and loves the opportunity to perform at Vicki's organised concerts and his other entertainment events. A truly great, kind and highly experienced jazz pianist and teacher!”
- Julie D., Parent
“Vicki Kenny has taught my 14-year-old son jazz piano for the last 6 years and has always been a wonderful, patient and inspirational teacher - Vicki has the ability to connect with young people and draw out any innate musicality that they have, as well as allowing them to explore their creativity through improvisation. My son was originally reluctant to read music, but Vicki has been able to teach him entirely by ear and through chord charts, generating enthusiasm and an on-going passion for music. We are so grateful to Vicki for the fantastic lessons, and for guiding our son on the path to a lifetime of musical enjoyment! Recently Vicki has transferred from face-to-face lessons to online lessons via Zoom, and it has been amazing to keep the lessons going during lockdown; our son has been equally motivated and engaged with the online lessons as he was in his face-to-face lessons.”
- Parent