Begin learning piano with a multi-faceted professional musician, and Graduate of the University of Liverpool.

Find out more about Mariella

• When did you first develop a passion for music and your favourite instrument?

  I started playing piano around age 9, shortly followed by lessons from a wonderful classical concert pianist. I was fascinated by the pedals and the physics behind the notes, whilst being able to express emotion in real time.

• Is there a particular type of music or artist that you listen to on a loop?

  I am a huge Prince fan. Along with James Brown, I am very much a fan of Funk, Hip Hop, and Jazz.

• Explain the most difficult or riveting course you could personally give to a student.

  I am not that sort of tutor; I assess my students' needs and expand on them. However, I could give an advanced lesson in Logic Pro X production, writing for a 12-piece band. Using advanced theory knowledge for a project like that would be a great test for the student—and for me too, as while theory isn’t my strongest point, it would certainly push us both!

• What do you think is the most complicated instrument to master and why?

  To master an instrument is to learn it inside out, but also to intertwine oneself with that instrument. From a purely technical standpoint, perhaps the sitar? Anything with such intricate tuning is a massive challenge.

• What are your keys to success?

  Drive, dedication, and a passion for what you are doing.

• Name three musicians you dream of meeting in your favourite bar in the early hours.

  Prince, James Brown, and Miles Davis. They are three huge maestros who together would have created something humanly extraordinary.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to music or your days at music school.

  Reflecting on my time at school and university, the most valuable thing I learned was the importance of the environment you create around your instrument. Whether it was my first lessons at age 9 or later studies, the moment you stop just "playing" and start understanding the mechanics and the emotion together, everything changes.

• What are the little touches that make you a Superprof?

  I take care and pay attention to detail. For example, in a production session, I will always help a student to use shortcuts and understand the base knowledge so there is a strong understanding of what we are doing. Ignoring small things leaves room for mistakes or missed potential.