I never dreamt, at my first piano lesson aged 5, that I would one day become a professional wedding pianist…I truly believe that it was my inspirational piano teacher who really made it possible.
John Gredley was hugely influential on me and the way I play.
He taught me for 18 years and was a former Professor of Pianoforte at London College of Music – it was incredible to learn from someone like that.
I was mesmerised by him. I sat next to his piano and he would play the most incredible classical music – beautiful romantic pieces – and I was totally transported.
From that moment on, that’s all I wanted to do – I thought…if I can make someone else feel like that, I have everything.
This is the whole reason I do what I do. It’s also why I still love teaching people to play as well as performing – the impact you can have is incredible.
I recently found some old letters that John wrote to my mum while I was learning. They were wonderful to read.
Lines like this make my heart sing:
“It would not surprise me if she were a bit musical…the signs are there”.
