Nicholas Ashton

Additional Info:

I am a highly experienced accompanist, with over 35 years of professional work in the media of performance, assessment and examination, working with all instruments and voice categories at all levels. I can offer constructive, encouraging and supportive advice and I will always put your needs first.

I was educated at Chetham’s School, RNCM and on postgraduate scholarships at the Conservatoire de Musique, Geneva and the Musikhochschule Frankfurt-am-Main. My principal teachers were Renna Kellaway and Joachim Volkmann and I received coaching from Vlado Perlemuter, Jorge Bolet, and Joaquin Achucarro.

Following a successful formal debut, I worked widely throughout Europe for ten years as a soloist.
I resumed performing as a result of encouragement from Murray Perahia (at the Centre for Advanced Studies, Snape) and Menahem Pressler (at the Centre for Music and Arts, Banff, Canada), and since then I have maintained an active performance profile as a soloist, chamber musician and accompanist, with a particular specialism in contemporary music for two pianos (Re:Sono Piano Duo).

From 1991-2020, I worked as a full-time Senior Lecturer and director of performance studies for the B Mus Hons degree course at Edinburgh Napier University, retiring from that position in August, 2020.

I am currently engaged as Lecturer in Piano at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and as External Examiner for Ph.D in Performance as Research (again at RCS). I also teach at the University of Edinburgh, as well as privately.

Fees

£ 60.00 Pounds Per Hour
I charge a basic rate of £60 per hour of rehearsal. For this, I will prepare the repertoire in advance, liaise with your specific needs and, if required, provide the facilities/resources for rehearsal (which may involve a small extra cost). If required/desired, I can video record the rehearsal/s for the purposes of reflective learning, using high-quality equipment.

For examinations such as ABRSM grades 1-7 (or equivalent, eg Trinity/Guildhall, LCM) I will offer as a minimum two half-hour sessions for Grades 1-5 and 1.5 hours for Grade 6 and 7. In addition I will charge a minimum of 30 minutes for the examination if local to Edinburgh.

For ABRSM Grade 8, ARSM and Dip.ABRSM Diplomas (also Trinity/Guildhall, LCM equivalents) I charge for at least two hour sessions as a minimum. I will also charge a minimum of one hour for the actual examination if local to Edinburgh, and a mimum of two hours if not local to Edinburgh

For LRSM and FRSM Diplomas (and equivalents), I charge for at least two one hour sessions as a minimum. I will also charge for one hour for the examination if local to Edinburgh, and a minimum of two hours for examination if not local to Edinburgh.

For general rehearsals, lessons or coaching, I will charge for a minimum of one hour from ABRSM Grade 5-8 to ARSM, Dip. ABRSM, LRSM and FRSM Diplomas ( or Trinity/Guildhall, LCM and equivalents). If required/desired, I can video record the rehearsal/s for the purposes of reflective learning, using high-quality equipment.


For performances, I negotiate based on the final fee for the performance. Normally this will include rehearsal time.

Any initial enquiry, or assessment of requirements, is without obligation and free of any charge.

Instruments

Piano

Specialisms

Contemporary Music, Instrumental Accompaniment, Vocal Accompaniment, Vocal Repetiteur