About
Anna Perry is a freelance musician and alumni of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Anna works as an extra, performing on bass clarinet, Eb clarinet and saxophones for 'BCO', 'Bristol Symphony', 'Bristol Metropolitan Orchestra' and 'Insight Ensemble'. She also works as a tripler for several musical theatre companies across South Wales and the West, performing on clarinet, flute and saxophone.
Anna is a founding member of modern classical chamber group 'Borders Ensemble'. Borders are a flexible outfit, sometimes performing as a quartet (clarinet, violin, piano and cello), a trio or a duo. With the latter (violin and clarinet), Anna performs for the 'Lockdown Presents scheme and with the charity 'Reminiscence Learning’. Anna also works with improvisation-based group ‘Spider Music’, playing clarinet alongside piano, bass, saxophone and marimba. With a love of folk music, she spent many years playing flute for ceilidhs with 'Uisge Contraband' and currently plays woodwind for the ceilidh band ‘Skyte’. She also works as a session musician, recording for and playing with artists such as Hailaker, David Grubb, James Bower, Toby Hay, Novo Amor and more.
To hear some of Anna’s playing, please see the videos below which feature solos and duos recorded as part of the online ‘Covid Ceilidh’ during the summer of 2020, plus a collection of Christmas arrangements recorded in lockdown from December 2020.
Anna has taught woodwind and theory for over ten years. She teaches all woodwind and runs recorder club at Victoria Primary School in Penarth, and also teaches clarinet, saxophone and theory at JMHS in Herefordshire. As part of her work in the high school, Anna runs the theory club, Jazz Band and various smaller ensembles such as clarinet choir and saxophone quartet. These ensembles have won multiple times in many categories at the Hereford Performing Arts Festival over the years.
Testimonials:
Anna has been teaching my daughter the clarinet for around 18 months in school. In that time she has taken her from being a seven year old with no musical experience at all and helped her to make incredible progress in just one lesson per week. My daughter finds her to be extremely patient and able to communicate things simply and effectively. Anna’s efforts to keep the students playing remotely during lockdown speak volumes of her commitment to them. We couldn’t recommend her highly enough - Matthew (parent)
Anna is dedicated, friendly and supportive, and has helped me make strong progress in clarinet. I would definitely recommend her! - Tom (student)
Anna has successfully taught my son clarinet for a number of years and I would thoroughly recommend her as a teacher. She makes learning enjoyable and is always reliable, friendly and organised too. Anna has also offered great extra curricular support, helping my son and other students develop with music groups and festivals. - Nicola (parent)
Anna taught both my children for many years in Flute and Clarinet. She is a professional and friendly teacher. We’ve had lessons in person and online and both were very effective and very well run. Notes for practice are given for the week between lessons. Anna is also encouraging and supportive. She also supported my children through many exams, all with positive outcomes. She is a wonderful woodwind teacher - Tessa (parent)
My daughters have both been taught by Anna (flute and theory) and have both really enjoyed their time with her. Anna is clear and positive, yet honest about what needs to improve and is patient but focused as they learn. Anna is friendly and flexible and lessons have been productive both in person and online. I would highly recommend her as a practical music and theory teacher. - Clare (parent)
I would happily recommend Anna as a music theory teacher. She has recently taught my daughter online in preparation for taking her grade 5 theory. I was very impressed by the format of the lessons and Anna’s knowledge is second to none. My daughter found her method of teaching very beneficial and the hints and tips given were very useful - TJ (parent)
Anna is an amazing clarinet teacher - I have really enjoyed the lessons and groups, and she has inspired me in my playing to keep going even when it was hard. I’ve had some great experiences and look forward to continuing playing the clarinet and sax for as long as can - Hannah (pupil)
Anna also runs a small private teaching practise, focusing on clarinet and theory. Lessons can be online or in person. A free consultation lesson is available for new students and there is often the possibility of students borrowing a clarinet to start them off. Lessons aim to be as varied as possible, with the emphasis on fun. Students will learn improvising, composition, aural and sight-reading skills, and explore lots of different styles; all of this alongside the continual development of their instrumental technique. You can see below for a demo video for clarinet and another video on how to look after your instrument. There are also PDFs available to guide new students with their posture and with the equipment they may need to start learning. Anna has an LRSM instrumental teaching diploma and a full, up-to-date DBS check. Please contact Anna on annaperrymusic@gmail.com for more information about learning clarinet or theory privately.
Clarinet demo: https://youtu.be/muRGr8wzhBA
Assembly and maintenance: https://youtu.be/D7p5SYL0BrY
