I offer private lessons in Piano and Music Theory.
Music Theory can be taken on its own, but Piano Lessons always include Music Theory.
Lessons can be taken in person or online. For more information than what you see here, or to book a free first lesson, please send me a message.
What Students Say
Lisa Frangs, Cape Town (South Africa)
Lisa obtained her Master of Music degree at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, London, in 2023. She is a Music Educator with 10 years’ experience and currently lives in Cape Town, South Africa. Lisa recently joined the Marimba Jam Cares NPO Board of Directors, and advocates for Music to be used as a resource for positive socio-economic change.
You can contact her for industry advice, consultations, collaborations, or lessons (online & in-person) on Instagram: https://instagram.com/lisafrangs.livinginmusic
Terry has been an amazing piano teacher. Even eight years after I still remember his teachings of his ‘golden rules’ and ‘touch the key before you play’. He truly helped me progress in my piano practice – increasing my skill set and helping me challenge myself while having fun with learning how to improve at playing the piano. I’d definitely recommend him to all levels of piano players as a brilliant teacher.
Michael Lee, London (UK)
Terry is a fantastic piano teacher; he demonstrates a very deep understanding of the instrument and has a very good way of explaining this in a way that beginners like me can understand. His emphasis on technique has been a great help in speeding up the process of learning everything, from scales to whole pieces, and he has given me many great tips for effective practice. He is an incredible pianist, an exceptional teacher and I highly recommend his lessons!
Oliver, United Kingdom
Terence has a unique and wonderful way of sharing his passion for music. Through his creative teaching methods and clear explanations he is able to impart not only technique and musicality, but also a profound joy for playing the piano. The lessons/masterclasses I had with him on Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2 were especially memorable and enjoyable, and even now, many years later, the advice he gave in these lessons is of immense help whenever I revisit this fantastic work.
Gareth Dwyer, Makhanda (South Africa)
I studied with Terence Marais intermittently from 2007-2009. Each one of his lessons was unique and memorable. I often think back to the guidance he gave me, and still use what he taught in my practice sessions today. Terence is an enthusiastic, passionate and thoroughly dedicated teacher who is willing to go out of his way to help his students, even outside of lesson time. I will always remember our lessons fondly.
Theresa Dwyer, Makhanda (South Africa). Theresa is a great piano teacher in her own right.
Lesson Content
Generally speaking, in piano lessons we deal with:
- Effective and efficient practicing strategies and techniques
- Scales and other technical exercises
- Repertoire work (learning pieces of music)
- Piano Repertoire Studies (learning about piano music more generally)
- Music theory
- Group performance classes
- Reading music and sight-reading training
- Aural training / Critical listening skills
- Fundamentals of musicianship
- Performance training and opportunities
- Collaborative performance / Making music with others
- Fundamentals of composition.
Teaching Philosophy
In my view:
- every person is born with a purpose and has inherent worth; I treat each student as someone who has something special to offer the world
- sometimes talent emerges on its own, but in general it needs to be mined (often, over many years) and exploited; talent also sometimes emerges only as other skills are developed; we don’t know the future, especially regarding young people; I tend to take the long-term view
- the musical faculties are equally as important as the other, more commonly developed ones (mathematics, language etc.), and they should be developed; this is a human right
- every individual is totally unique, able to learn, and has enormous potential, the vast majority of which – especially in the case of children – cannot be seen nor even fully imagined; for the good of the individual and society, we must do our best to discover, develop and realise that potential.
Approach
I love and respect freedom of expression, and in my studio, students are free to express themselves openly and honestly. Our interaction is always within the bounds of a good student-teacher relationship. I value mutual respect and offer each student:
- enthusiastic encouragement and
- an awareness of the need for significant effort in pursuit of high achievement
- patience, understanding, and unwavering support in the midst of the normal ebbs and flows of life
- maintaining an enduring vision of each student’s talents, challenges and potential.
Championship
I’ll be your champion. Not the medal-wearing, trophy-wielding kind – rather, the cheering, encouraging, believing, defending kind. So you reach all your pianistic goals and more.