Spring Block 2 dates now available. Book now >
About Olivia
Meet your teacher; Olivia.
I have been in love with music since before I can even remember. My parents always had music on and since having my little girl, I have found that I do the same! I often find her singing around the house to Olivia Dean or John Mayer!
I started piano lessons at 8 years old, this led me onto many great opportunities including travelling to Greece, Romania and Ghana to help teach local school choirs whilst I was at school. I then obtained my BA Honours degree in commercial music.
After graduating in 2011, I realised that my heart was firmly drawn towards roles where I could motivate, empower and help support the growth and development of children. I completed a HNC in early education and childcare, I then completed my PGDE at Strathclyde University, and taught in Fife as a primary school teacher.
I found myself diagnosed with cancer in 2017 and after treatment finished, I knew I wanted to start something I loved. This is when I decided to combine my two passions in life, music and children. In 2022 I moved to Edinburgh and started Music Together with Olivia and I’ve never looked back!
"I love combining my professional experience with my life long passion, to help inspire and connect families in my local community."
As a child, I often felt pressured and restricted by a need to impress and succeed in a musical environment, and have witnessed many people, both children and adults, shy away from musical pursuits as a result of such daunting expectations.
My mission is to change this rhetoric:
Music is for everyone. Music can enrich us all.
Music is simply a way of using sounds and movements to express our true selves, and ignite powerfully joyful feelings and emotions.
People of all ages should have the right to create and enjoy music in an inclusive and non-judgemental environment.
My Core Values
My heart is drawn towards roles where I could motivate, empower and help support the growth and development of children.
Every child is musical
All children are born with musical potential, they just need the right environment to explore it. My classes are all about exposure, freedom, and encouragement rather than talent or ability.
Learning through play
My classes are non-formal and non-performance based led by play, movement, and imitation. Children are never forced to participate in a certain way—they learn naturally by engaging at their own pace.
Overall development
Music is used as a tool to support: confidence and self-expression, social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.
Grown-ups’ involvement
Parents and caregivers are a child’s most important teacher, adults actively join in during every class. Children learn best through connection and shared experience, not just instruction.
Life-long love of music
I hope to help children (and grown-ups) enjoy making music together and build a lasting relationship with music.
Qualifications
To help all of you, both big kids and little thrive and feel confident through the tool of music, would be a true privilege. I can't wait to meet you and to help you and your children kickstart their musical journey!
-
BA (HONS) in Music from Bath Spa University.
-
HNC in Early Education in Childcare from Edinbrugh College.
-
2 years working as a nursery practitioner for Edinburgh City Council.
-
PGDE in Primary Education from Strathclyde Univeristy.
-
6 years working as a Primary school teacher in Fife, Scotland.
"I would say my qualifications mean the standard of my classes are higher than most children's classes that are currently offered - especially at this age."
