As a child Kate had flute lessons with Dudley Music Service, she is passionate about keeping music alive in schools because she had such inspirational teachers and valuable musical opportunities at school. Amongst her earliest teachers were, Trevor Bluck from the Sid Lawrence Orchestra, Bernard Hermann from the Northern Dance Orchestra, and Collin Lilly from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Kate then trained as a professional flautist with Averil Williams at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
Kate studied at City University and completed a BSc in Music and is a qualified secondary school music teacher.
I just wanted to let you know about Emily’s recent success in her Grade 8 Flute and to say a big thank you. Over the weekend Emily got the result of her Grade 8 Flute exam – a distinction!! She took the Trinity Board and as part of the exam played pieces on her flute, piccolo, and alto flute. Her teacher, Kate Parkin, has been an inspiration. Encouraging Emily when she needs encouragement, challenging when she needed a challenge and really enthusing her to play the flute to the best of her ability. Kate is a fantastic teacher; she has an in-depth knowledge of the technical aspects of playing the flute; encourages and facilitates the student to develop their own individual style and interpretation of the piece of music; is incredibly understanding and patient; and encourages and supports the student to move outside their musical comfort zone. Without Kate’s support and encouragement, Emily would never have developed her flute skills/technique, progressed to the piccolo and alto flute, nor thought to audition for the County Ensembles! – Parent
