Testimonials from some of my awesome students, collaborators and parents....

Judy(student)....

"I would strongly recommend Emma as an accompanist to everyone! I have been performing, with Emma by my side, for the last 4 years and the experience she has provided me has been above and beyond anything I expected of an accompanist. She has followed me from my VCE Performance, Grade 8 AMEB Exam, and my Bachelor of Music at Melbourne University.

I initially went in expecting just some who sat at the piano and played along with me. Upon rehearsing with Emma I found I was completely wrong. She creates an environment where the instrumentalist and accompanist work as a duo, whilst still finding a way to get the best out of every performer she works with.

Emma is such a kind hearted soul, who not only works on musical elements with her students, but also on bringing out as much emotion and personality in a piece as possible. She provides a safe space for the student to express what they would like to portray in a piece, and also helps to provide guidelines to students who, like me, weren’t exactly sure to begin with what they were trying to show through their music. She has provided me over the years with a level of confidence in myself, that I would never have achieved without her assistance. Due to all the knowledge she has provided me over the years, I don't only see her as an accompanist, but also as a teacher of mine. 

"She provides a safe space for the student to express what they would like to portray in a piece.."

Sylvia(parent and student)....

"In the last four AMEB exams, Emma has done a fantastic job as an accompanist for Tiffany; empowering her when she was most vulnerable to the stress leading up to the big day. Tiffany finds it comfortable working with Emma as she is a good listener and never hesitates to make necessary adjustments according to Tiffany's different stages of development. Tiffany has learnt skills not only important for exams but valuable as a performer. 

Observing how Emma guided Tiffany, I learnt a lot and my interest in music was re-ignited because her passion in music is contagious. So, I went in as a driver for my daughter's violin exam preparation; I came out as a piano student of the accompanist.  Working with a flexible schedule, Emma helps me set achievable and measureable goals which keeps me motivated."

"So, I went in as a driver for my daughter's violin exam preparation; I came out as a piano student of the accompanist."

Rachael(parent)....

"My family was introduced to Emma through my daughter's school in 2012. 
We've known Emma for almost four years and she is "absolutely amazing". This is according to my 11 year old.
Both my children, now aged 14 and 11, visit Emma for piano and accompaniment lessons. Emma designs personalised learning challenges for each child. Emma takes the time to know her students and help them however she can. 
Emma does not just prepare her students thoroughly in all aspects of their exams, but she offers so much more.
We choose to travel across the city to see Emma (not easy), not just for her expertise,  and passion as an experienced piano teacher, but because of her vivaciousness, her kind, encouraging and thoughtful words and her energy.

Emma is more than a piano teacher to my children. She is a role model, a confidante, a counsellor, a big sister and a musical guide - all in one very special package. 

I highly recommend Emma Cutting."
 

"She is a role model, a confidante, a counsellor, a big sister and a musical guide - all in one very special package."

Helen(parent)....

"Emma has been teaching my daughters for two and a half years. I initially approached her because I was having trouble finding a teacher who would agree to take on teaching a four year old. Emma enthusiastically took on the task of teaching my elder daughter, and then, a year later, began with my younger daughter, then aged three. I find Emma to be a thoughtful teacher who is very reflective in her approach to teaching. She has consistently pitched her lessons to match the abilities of each child at a given point in time. This has included setting an appropriate pace for the acquisition of piano technique, designing lessons to suit the varying concentration spans of my children, and managing the learning of children who initially could not read written instructions. Emma is also skilled at managing sometimes challenging behaviour in a calm and constructive way and is particularly supportive of students who are feeling unsure of their ability to learn a particular skill. I believe Emma gives each of her students the sense of being valued by her as a person and she aims to work with them to improve their approach to their piano studies in general, as well as teaching them how to play the instrument.

It is clear that Emma aims to develop the overall musical ability of her students, as well as teaching them piano technique and repertoire. She puts time and effort into making sure that her students develop good aural, pitch and general performance skills, as well as teaching them how to play her instrument. She is able to suggest pieces to learn that are appealing to different students, allowing each student to focus on areas of interest, while overseeing their musical development as a whole.

Emma's own playing is of a very high standard and I have absolutely no doubt that she would be an accomplished teacher for high level students as well as for beginners. Emma is very responsive to parental feedback, questions and general concerns. I have had long conversations with Emma, on multiple occasions, about my daughters' learning and general challenges. She has always been patient and willing to make and listen to suggestions about how to best resolve a situation that my child has found difficult to manage. Her comments to me have been carefully considered and it is always very clear that Emma invests a great deal of effort into doing the best work she can with each of her students. I hope that Emma will continue to teach my daughters for many years to come."

"It is clear that Emma aims to develop the overall musical ability of her students, as well as teaching them piano technique and repertoire."

Anonymous(parent).....

“Emma has taught piano to four of our children and adapted her teaching approach to suit each of their individual learning styles and personalities.  With an obvious love of piano and a passion for teaching,  Emma’s lesson have a good balance of fun, empathy and firmness to meet the different moods and circumstances of her students.  This includes having a realistic and flexible understanding that some students have competing demands on their time that may require their priorities to fluctuate during the course of a year.  Emma’s communication and organisation is also very good and we feel well informed with plenty of advance notice of what is planned.  We also enjoy the twice-yearly concerts that Emma organises for her students – a positive and encouraging environment to build their performance experience and confidence.  Overall, Emma provides the right balance to enable her students to develop their love of music along with learning technical and practical skills.”

Overall, Emma provides the right balance to enable her students to develop their love of music along with learning technical and practical skills.”