Monika Walo studied Piano, Music Appreciation, Theory, Composition and Performance at the State Primary and Secondary Music School IJ Paderewski in Slupsk.
Having obtained her Piano Diploma, she taught music to children aged 2-6 in national nurseries across the 3 major cities of Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot. She also specialised in German language studies and obtained her Bachelor’s degree whilst still in Poland.
After moving to England, Monika obtained a Diploma in Children and Young People`s Workforce and went on to study children and youth at a Masters degree level with the Open University, reflecting a lifelong passion for working with children at all levels. This led her to found the Giles Farnaby Piano School in 2018, where piano lessons may be taken in English, Polish or German. Children from multilingual households benefit greatly from the warm, homely environment and they all adore her.
In the UK Monika resumed her piano studies with Fleur Elliott-Jones (BMus, ARCM) and Grzegorz Niemczuk, winner of the 2013 International Carnegie Hall Concerto Debut Competition and the 40th National Frederic Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw (2010). She also developed an interest in the harpsichord, taking lessons with Medea Bindewald, who has been described as “one of Europe`s finest harpsichord performers” by BBC Radio Leicester.
Monika can be contacted by mobile on 07766 076683 or by emailing gilesfarnabypianoschool@gmail.com
Paul Lanfear studied Piano Performance at Birmingham Conservatoire. He later went on to study more academically, obtaining his Bachelor of Arts at Bristol University.
He took further piano studies with Carola Grindea (founder of EPTA) privately in London, where he obtained his LLCM Recital Diploma from the London College of Music. He has performed widely, taking part in masterclasses with Alberto Portugheis, Peter Donohue and other piano luminaries. Paul has taught extensively across all age groups, including teaching music in secondary school classrooms as well as in one-to-one lessons. He has an easy rapport with his students whilst encouraging them to fufil their potential.
Paul can be contacted by mobile on 07563 183005 or by emailing gilesfarnabypianoschool@gmail.com