Emma Cutler Piano

I’ve recently had quite a few conversations with my former piano teacher that really stayed with me.

We talked about teaching, careers, and the challenges of working in the arts.
One thing she said that stuck with me is that we need to believe in ourselves a little more.

When we do something we genuinely love, it can feel uncomfortable charging for it or recognising the value of what we offer. We can be our own harshest critics.

She reminded me that success isn't always about being the most talented person in the room. Often it's about the relationships we build, the enthusiasm we share, and the positive impact we have on others and that is something I always strive to achieve.

Not every pupil, or parent will be the right fit, and that's okay. The right people will appreciate your approach, your values, and the way you do things.

Working in the arts has taught me that believing in your worth is just as important as developing your skills. We all have something unique to offer, and we shouldn't be afraid to value our time, experience, and expertise and should not feel ashamed about charging the going rate.

A good reminder that sometimes the person standing in the way of our success is our own self-doubt.

I am hoping that the new monthly payment system (this will start the 1st August) will not only help me cut down my admin work but will hopefully be easier for pupils too.

I thank you so much for your support.

Need some mid-week momentum?

I'm a Business and Life Performance Coach which really means I help you build resilience that holds up under pressure, manage your energy, and create sustainable growth at work and in life. Because lasting performance isn't about pushing harder. It's about pausing, gaining perspective, and moving forward with purpose.

I have a gift for you to help you keep up the momentum in your week: scan the QR code, join 'Join the Journey', and get a free, printable coaching tool to help you stay focused, reflective, and moving forward with real impact.

I hadn’t realised it was Teacher Appreciation Day yesterday, so I was completely surprised when I was presented with a beautiful bunch of flowers in my last lesson yesterday. It truly made me smile and brightened up the rest of my evening! 😁
I feel very fortunate to teach such kind, thoughtful and caring pupils. 🌸

💗

Most of my pupils are now taking MTB recorded exams but I do try and encourage some pupils to take the ABRSM exams as I feel it’s a good experience to perform face to face to an examiner. I think it’s depends on each individual and we are lucky to now have the choice.

Are we still an 'ABRSM‑first' profession, or is that starting to shift?

I’ve just crunched the numbers from a recent survey on which instrumental exam boards teachers actually use most, and compared them with results from my 2010 Piano Survey. The picture is much more mixed than before, with ABRSM still strong but many teachers now choosing more flexible, pupil‑centred options such as MTB and Trinity.

In the blog, I share the key findings, some teacher voices, and a few reflections on what this changing landscape might mean for our students.

Have a read and let me know where you sit in this picture – which board do you use most at the moment, and why?

https://thecuriouspianoteachers.org/blog/post/72877/the-changing-landscape-of-instrumental-exams/

I bet my year 11s are very excited to be finishing their GCSEs today!!

They’ve all seemed very calm this year and I’m very proud of them all.

Well done!

With just six weeks left of the summer term, I would like to encourage those who are planning to take an exam to make a final push to get their pieces recorded before the summer holidays! Keep working hard! 😁