In the year 2011, as a 7 year old beginner pianist, Grace wrote:- “I like to go to my piano lessons because it is really fun and Dr Spacie helps me to read music and play the piano. I love to play the piano and I really enjoy the books that I learn from. Dr Spacie is a brilliant piano teacher and I look forward to my lessons every week.”
In the year 2020, as a 15 year old advanced pianist, Grace wrote:- “I first started having lessons with Mike when I was 7 years old. I am now 15 (at the time of writing this testimonial) and have taken 7 practical exams passing with merit or distinction and 5 theory exams passing with merit or distinction. Mike’s way of teaching has given me a passion for much which I now would like to take into a career. He has encouraged me to become more confident in music and as a person in general. Through Mike’s tuition I have become a pianist at the age of 15 who has had the honour of performing at the Lyceum, the Crucible, various music festivals, live BBC radio performances and composing my own music, and without Mike, none of which would have been possible. I am about to go on to study music at college and university after that. Mike has helped shape my future and I cannot thank him enough.”
Below are my music examination achievements with Mike so far:-
Practical Piano Exams of Trinity College London:
Grade 1: 87 marks out of 100, awarded distinction; Grade 2: 80 marks out of 100, awarded merit; Grade 3: 89 marks out of 100, awarded distinction; Grade 4: 75 marks out of 100, awarded merit; Grade 5: 85 marks out of 100, awarded merit; Grade 6: 79 marks out of 100, awarded merit; Grade 7: 87 marks out of 100, awarded distinction.
Theory of Music Exams of Trinity College London:
Grade 1: 94 marks out of 100, awarded distinction; Grade 2: 84 marks out of 100, awarded merit; Grade 3: 92 marks out of 100, awarded distinction; Grade 4: 81 marks out of 100, awarded merit; Grade 5: 91 marks out of 100, awarded distinction.
Grace Wilkinson (Student)
Dr Michael Spacie writes: On the 25th March 2017, Grace Wilkinson sat the Trinity College London Grade 3 piano practical exam and gained a distinction of 89 marks out of one hundred. Grace scored excellent marks including full on the scale and arpeggio category. Some of the comments the examiner wrote on the examination report form are as follows:- “Well paced tempo and tidy pedalling allied to tastefully balanced voicing between the hands made for a musical and atmospheric account….A strongly rhythmic approach with clear painting of the phrases, clear tone and effective dynamics….stylish rendition. Scales and arpeggios were promptly played and accurate.”
Dr Michael Spacie writes: On the 17th March 2018, Grace Wilkinson sat the Trinity College London Grade 5 piano practical exam and gained an excellent merit of 85 marks out of one hundred including full marks for the second piece that was played. Some of the comments the examiner wrote on the examination report form are as follows:- “The playful style was quickly established….co-ordination between the hands was mostly reliable….There was a general feeling of engagement….This began at a tempo that allowed time for the melody to be enjoyed. There was lots of attention to detail and dynamic variety throughout this convincing account – well done….The ending was neatly shaped.”
Dr Michael Spacie writes: On the 1st December 2018, Grace Wilkinson sat the Trinity College London Grade 6 piano practical exam and gained an excellent merit of 79 marks out of one hundred including 9 marks out of 10 for the aural section with an examiner comment of: “Confident responses….”. Some of the comments the examiner wrote on the examination report form are as follows:- “The piece had a pleasing ‘lilt’, and effective contrast between the f/p sections. Balance between the hands was good, and there was close attention to performance details….This was an atmospheric performance, created with use of dynamics, and also the pedal….There was a good sense of style.”