Althea Ifeka
Oboe, Oboe d'Amore & Cor Anglais Soloist

Teaching

A dedicated teacher with 16 years' experience, Althea aims to open up the world of classical music to her pupils by striving for the highest standards of performance through both individual lessons and a broader range of musical activities. These include Summer holiday courses, group visits to concerts in London, and solo performances at the annual concert at a nearby church. In addition, some pupils are also entered in competitive festivals, which give them further performing experience.  Pupils who wish to do so are entered for Associated Board grade exams at the local examination centre. Through this wide range of activities, pupils have the opportunity to develop their talent and character, and to increase their love and understanding of music.

Adult Learners

As well as teaching children, Althea welcomes adult pupils who want to fulfil their musical dreams and interests. However, preference will be given to re-starters over complete beginners. It is preferred that adults should either have studied an instrument in childhood (the instrument need not be the same as the one the pupil now wishes to study), or should currently be active in some area of amateur or semi-professional music-making. The same degree of commitment and practice is expected of adult pupils as younger ones, and the same right is reserved to cease giving lessons, should lesson preparation regularly be insufficient.

Individual Lessons

Lessons last 30, 45 or 60 minutes depending on age and ability. There are approximately 40 lessons per annum, divided into three terms of 12-14 lessons each. Owing to the variation in school holidays in the different boroughs, and the requirements of adult pupils, there will be no half term holidays until further notice.

Associated Board Exams: First Class Results!

Students are encouraged to take Associated Board exams if they wish, but this is in no way compulsory. The Associated Board Centre for the area is at 276 Cranbrook Road, Ilford. An accompanist will be provided unless pupils wish to make their own arrangements.

Some past results

Distinctions: Oboe Advanced Certificate; Grades 2 & 8 Oboe (140); Grade 1 Violin (135); Grade 2 Violin (133); Grades 4 & 5 Oboe (131); Grade 7 Oboe (130); Grade 2 Recorder (130); Grade 5 Theory (90)

Merits: Grades 1 & 2 Recorder (128); Grades 2 & 3 Violin (127); Grade 3 Oboe (126); Grade 8 Singing (120); Grade 5 Theory (82)

Music Festival Placings

Southend Festival, November 2004
Sonali Pabari 1st Prize, Violin Novice Class (Beethoven: Ode to Joy)
Una Fahey 3rd Prize, Solo Singing Class, age 13-15 years (Mozart: Wiegenlied)
 
Stratford and East London Festival, February 2005
Avalon Rabey 1st Prize, Grades 1-3 Class (Oboe) (Brod: Etude in C)
Malique Broome & Sonali Pabari:
Challenge Cup (1st Prize), Junior Chamber Music 10 years and under (Bartok violin duets)

Part-time Teaching Positions:

Some of the teaching positions Althea has occupied include Harpenden Musicale from 1994-2002, Merchant Taylors' School in Northwood from 1995-6, Guildford Musicale Summer School from 1995-8 and London Borough of Brent Saturday School from 1996-7. She has given masterclasses to undergraduate and postgraduate oboe students at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne in 2003, and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2000.

Police Check for Work with Children

Althea has been police-checked and cleared to work with children by the London Borough of Brent and North Hertfordshire Council.

Terms and Conditions - Contract

Because I sometimes go on tour during term time, and your family and working schedules can be complicated, I like to keep a degree of flexibility on both sides. Lessons are payable in advance by the half term (6 lessons). If you wish to cancel or change the time of lesson, I must be given 48 hours (2 days) notice, or the lesson fee is payable in full. If I am going to be away, you will be given plenty of notice, and an alternative lesson time offered. Parents are expected not to change or cancel lessons unless truly exceptional circumstances necessitate it.

If I do not see the parents of a pupil under the age of 18 at the lesson, communication with parents will be via the pupil’s notebook. It is the parent’s responsibility to check this notebook every week. Any alterations to subsequent lesson times will be notified through the notebook. If the parents disagree with any changes to arrangements, they are to telephone me immediately. If I hear nothing further, failure to turn up to any changed lesson will be the financial responsibility of the pupil and parent, not myself. If a pupil under the age of 18 requests an extra lesson, this must be arranged by their parents. No arrangements will be entered into directly with pupils whose parents fund their lessons.

I reserve the right not to continue giving lessons at any point, should the pupil's commitment to the teaching process be insufficient, should my timetable not permit it, or should I decide that private lessons are not in my opinion the correct medium for the particular abilities of the pupil. In the case of insufficient practice, a warning will usually be given, and time allowed for improvement.

Rates

For information on rates and availability, contact me.