A new life

A new life, a new web site. As some of you may know, I have moved to Landerneau in Brittany, France. Sometimes we all need a change for whatever reason and it seemed the right moment for me to do so. Settling in to a new life is always challenging and rewarding at the same time. Landerneau is a pretty little medieval town near the sea and a hub for culture in the area. The Leclerc family (of the Leclerc chain) are from here and we are very lucky that they invest enormously in promoting music, art and culture in the town, merci! 

So, after a few months of being here I am slowly getting to know my way around. I continue to teach online and that is great as I can keep in touch with old students/friends and can meet new ones at the click of a mouse. I am interested in collaborating with musicians here and again am starting to open a small network of friends and already some very interesting ideas are coming up. Keep coming back for more news :-)

I am also determined once and for all to keep this updated and post some video tuitional tips,  pieces of music...content in general. Fell free to make any questions or requests and I will try to meet them.

I finally feel more relaxed about my hearing situation too. That has been a major and life changing experience for me. I have bi-lateral Otosclerosis and gradually was going deaf. It got to the point where I couldn't hear even with double hearing aids. The last few years have been the darkest and most difficult for me and losing my hearing was a truly scary experience. I am so grateful that I eventually found a surgeon and his team at the Royal ENT Hospital in London and he and they were able to restore my hearing in both ears through a procedure called a 'stapedectomy'. Essentially, I have a prosthetic implant in each ear that allows my hearing to be restored, incredible. I feel lucky and sad however. I lost my hearing and feel sad for all those people who have gone deaf and have or had no chance of hearing again and lucky because, well...I can hear! Beethoven had the same rare condition and we all know what happened to him. Anyway, if you are or you know anyone with deafness or hearing problems and I can be of any help, please pass on my contact details and I will do as much as I can to help.

One of the reasons for moving to Brittany was the wild and beautiful nature and coast. Being able to hear all these sounds again and also looking after my ears, having lived in London for a few years, contributed to this. Musicians (and everyone else), you really must protect your hearing and make sure you don't submit your ears to constant loud noise. After doing a lot of research I came across three organisations who helped unconditionally

1. Musicians hearing services  - they were understanding, helpful and give great advice

2. ACS Custom - ear protection and CIEMs (custom in ear monitoring). They have been brilliant and very open and friendly, more than any other. I did my research and ACS not only had good products but also were essentially 'there for me'. I can't recommend them enough. If you are a pro musician, you will feel right at home...and if you are not, you will still feel right at home! They help anyone from TV, racing car drivers, musicians to every day humans! Check out their site and don't hesitate to contact them wherever you are in the world. Click on the name link to take you to their site.

3. Help Musicians - I am the first person who doesn't want to ask for help and refused for a long time. I eventually contacted them and they were excellent. Whatever you are going through whether physical or psychological...really, whatever the problem is, contact them. They are there for you and will help you, do it. Contact them.

Ok, so I have moved, I have sorted some of my problems out and am ready to go!!! This is my first post but please keep visiting as I am hoping to post every week...or that's what I am being told to do and I always do what I am told :-)

Hasta soon amigos, friends, amis etc.