MusicoSouth

Hi I run a local music teaching service, and I've sent you a PM. Emma

Hi Niblet I run a local music teaching service and have some lovely local classical guitar teachers who'd be delighted to teach your daughter. They're very flexible and happy to come to your house for lessons at a time to suit you. The teachers are professional musicians, experienced at teaching, and CRB checked. Most importantly, they're passionate about guitar and really love teaching, so I'm confident I'd have a teacher your daughter would enjoy learning with. Lesson fees are ?20 for 30mins, ?25 for 45mins, ?30 for an hour and so on. You'd probably want to start her on 30mins. The teachers are very happy to teach through the holidays if you'd like that - we aren't restricted to term-times. I've PM'd you with more details. If this sounds good, please email or phone me - I'd love to hear from you. Emma musico south 0207 277 2759 [email protected]

Hi Dulwich Girl I'd completely agree with Jeremy. In terms of practicality and functionality, a good quality (and Yamaha are pretty much the best) digital piano is hard to beat, esp with the headphones option. But if you have the budget, I'd always go for an acoustic for tone and feeling, and aesthetics (and many acoustics have the mute pedal for practice). If you do decide to buy acoustic, there's a great little shop on Kirkdale, Sydenham, called The Piano Store, which specialises in refurbishing old pianos and always has a good range with some lovely instruments from around ?500, and expert advice. Might be worth popping in for a browse before you decide. If you have the budget, another fantastic option would be a second-hand refurbished Yamaha acoustic U1, which have the most beautiful tone and action. J Reid in St Ann's Rd, Tottenham specialises in importing and refurbishing old Yamahas from Japan and they are wonderful instruments. Reid's is a massive piano warehouse with a room full of grand pianos, and friendly staff, so a fun trip out. With regards the lessons, I run a Peckham-based music teaching service with some excellent local piano teachers who'd love to teach your husband. They're professionally qualified, experienced, and CRB checked. Most importantly, they're passionate about piano, and really love teaching, so I'd definitely have a teacher your husband would enjoy lessons with. Lesson fees are ?25 for 45mins, ?30 for an hour and so on. We do vouchers for any number of lessons, and I can prepare an attractive voucher with a personal message from you. After the student receives the voucher, I'd have a detailed chat with him about his musical aspirations, interests, experience, and then recommend a teacher to match, who can do lessons at a time to suit him. If this sounds good, do give me a call or an email - I'd love to hear from you. Emma musico south 0207 277 2759 [email protected]

Can I put in a word for Dulwich Ballet School. My daughter (now 8) has been going there since she was 2 and absolutely loves it. Sally-Ann and Jo are terrific teachers, endlessly patient, fun and firm when needed. The quality of teaching is pretty impressive - think you can check out results on their website, but loads of Distinctions and Merits at every level, and most importantly the girls have great fun. Sally's expanded the syllabus recently, and they do modern, tap, street dance etc. Also Summer Schools and Easter hols programmes. But the really brilliant thing Sally does is a full-scale production every 18 months, which involves the whole school inc the little ones. Last year they did Swan Lake and Carnival of the Animals, plus an hour long modern programme, performed at Alleyn's theatre, with amazing costumes - invaluable experience for the dancers. Lessons are mostly at St Faiths Centre, Red Post Hill where there's a car park and street parking, and a big room for changing and waiting - it does get busy and noisy at changeover, but settles down after lessons start, and there's plenty of space. Also opposite Sunray Gardens so little ones can go for a runaround when we aren't having Biblical floods...! Hope this is helpful - good luck!

Lucy I do feel for you. My daughter (now 7) screamed ear-splitting screams from the second she was put in the car seat on the return from hospital and every journey from then, until she was old enough for the front-facing seat. We tried everything, dad in the back, black & white pictures, mobiles, music, little friends in the back, but nothing worked until she moved into the front facing seat. My best friend's daughter was the same, and in one harrowing day, we drove 8 hours to Cornwall together with each baby taking in turns to keep up the screaming when the other one paused for breath...I knew things had got really bad when on a soaking wet winter day, a friend turned down a lift rather than travel in the car with us....In the end we just turned the stereo up loud and gritted our teeth. From my own experience and friends', I'd be very confident it will stop when she moves into the new seat - ours stopped instantly and has been a very happy traveller ever since, no car sickness or anything - I know that's not much consolation now, but some hope to cling to....my sympathies..!