What Makes Our Piano Lessons Different?

Tom Donald is the founder and principal of the London Contemporary School of Piano. A composer, and educator who has revolutionized piano education through his emphasis on chords, improvisation, and real-world experience. A passionate advocate for adult amateur musicians, he helps students tap into their inner genius and achieve musical transformations. Donald has taught over 500 students globally, promoting creativity over rigid exam-based systems. An accomplished performer and composer, his work spans classical, jazz, popular music and film scores.

UK’s leading contemporary classical pianist. Modest, compassionate, and downright talented. Her clear and calm guidance combined with Olympic pianistic precision makes Siwan a one-of-a-kind teacher. Generously patient with a calming presence on her students, many who have studied with her for years reflecting her tenure at the school for the last decade, whilst her international pianist career continues to flourish.

A world-class pianist seamlessly merging jazz, classical, improvisation, and pop, with an effortless ability to transition across genres. Passionate and dedicated, Alberto empowers piano students at every level to express their true musical selves. His work is a testament to creative mastery and musical innovation, and his ability to pass this on to his students, even those early on in their journey is a rare skill.

A dynamic Jazz Funk master and a leading force on the funk jazz scene, this Welsh-born keys player brings both warmth and fiery passion to every performance. Known for his boundless energy and a relentless "can-do spirit," he's constantly in demand, with his schedule always booked out. His down-to-earth nature and approachable style, combined with exceptional talent, make him not only a standout musician but also a supportive and inspiring figure in the music community, with an undeniable groove and flair!

A holistic and strategically gifted piano coach, Brian has a rare ability to empower and inspire piano students of all ages from 7 to 70 whilst solving musical problems and removing boundaries that will transform your piano playing. Brian is also a multi instrumentalist, vocalist and composer, playing numerous string instruments and Irish traditional instruments to name just a few. Add to that, Brian is an established piano accompanist specialising in leading choirs all the way through to Italian opera. You name it, Brian has done it!

Maria Palazian is a world-class music educator well-known in her field for combining innovation with cutting-edge teaching techniques that empowers her students to become the best they possibly can be. Her research and development in better teaching methodologies puts her at the forefront of 21st Century Classical and Contemporary Education. Alongside her pedagogical flair Maria is an exponent for music from her culture, and is at the forefront of Armenian music in the UK classical music scene.

Learning is one of life’s greatest joys, and for Manu, this is one of his deepest fascinations. In his adult life, Manu has been driven to share his expertise and passion with pupils of all levels and backgrounds. Under Manu’s expertise, you are under the rare guidance and mentorship of a master teacher and musician.

Grammy-nominated pianist, vocalist, musical director, actor, and multi-instrumentalist, Caolan is a true artistic polymath, with additional expertise in education and philosophy. This rare multidisciplinary background enables students to make extraordinary discoveries and achieve success in their lessons under Caolan’s direction and coaching. In a short span of time, Caolan has become one of the most sought-after piano coaches in London, often with a waiting list.

A musical free spirit. A vocalist. A songwriter. A student of piano. A guitarist. A podcaster. A shoulder to cry on. Cait's musical journey is a testament to persistence, passion, and the power of a very simple manifesto: "Whatever you do, don't stop". Like so many of our students at The LCSP, and after several attempts in her youth, Cait found her way back to building a relationship with the piano later on in life. A return that would shape her relationship with music and her artistic voice in the most profound ways.

A passionate musicologist with a devastatingly accurate eye for detail. Passionate about counterpoint, polyphony, opera and the great Baltic composers from her Latvian Russian heritage.A sensitive pianist and a pillar to the school community and duet club. Always has her hand on the pulse which is the heart and soul of the school’s business. Entrepreneurial, allergic to inaction, analytical and an art junkie from dance to design.

André is a versatile and dynamic artist, driven by an insatiable curiosity for uncovering the hidden narratives in music education. Raised in the vibrant cultural landscapes of California and Hawaii, André was deeply immersed in the R&B and hip-hop movements of the '90s. But that was just the beginning of his musical journey. In 2013, he performed Shostakovich's Concerto No. 1 in Kiev, Ukraine, showcasing his range and passion for classical music.Currently, André is pursuing a PHD at the prestigious Royal College of Music, where he’s exploring the rich yet underappreciated world of 19th and 20th-century French women composers. His thesis focuses on the life and work of Cécile Chaminade, further cementing his reputation as an innovative and forward-thinking researcher.When he’s not pushing the boundaries of musical tradition, André enjoys part-time gymnastics and rumour has it he makes and impressive sourdough.

One of the essential trademarks of a great teacher is the ability to simplify and break down complicated ideas into realistic steps. This skill is a natural gift for someone like Cameron Ward. Not only is he able to simplify complex ideas in jazz, contemporary pop, and classical music, but his students also experience these forms of artistic expression in a very rare, down-to-earth manner. Cameron turns this so-called "elite" musical dictionary of expression and theory into an everyday enjoyable activity, making the joy of music accessible.

Every accomplished musician knows the impact of an extraordinary teacher, and Rosanna Spain exemplifies this. With a lifelong dedication to both music and teaching, Rosanna's passion goes beyond technique—her focus is on helping students grow as individuals. In her own words, 'I strive to be a better teacher and a better person every day.' It's this genuine commitment to her craft and her students that makes Rosanna an indispensable guide in their musical journey, nurturing not just their skills but their confidence and creativity.Rosanna is one of the few teachers who is able to work effectively with neurodiverse children online, offering personalised, effective lessons no matter where they are in the world.