081: Catching Up With the Cotswold Pianist Lydia Tomita

Lydia Tomita’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and community. From her early days as a pianist in northern England to becoming the founder of a thriving teaching network in the Cotswolds, Lydia has combined her love of music with an entrepreneurial spirit. In this episode, she shares how she built a multi-teacher studio, balances gigs with teaching, and inspires students of all ages to embrace piano learning at every stage of life.

1. Lydia shared how her musical journey began in a musically rich home with supportive parents.
2. She described how playing for fun as a child built her strong sight-reading skills.
3. How moving to the Cotswolds reignited her teaching career and led to new opportunities.
4. How she built her studio gradually and expanding into multiple schools.
5. Managing a team of five teachers across six schools with more than 100 pupils.
6. The benefits and challenges of 20-minute lessons in UK schools.
7. Lydia discussed the transition from solo teacher to studio owner, balancing admin with teaching.
8. How Instagram and her website bring steady inquiries for wedding and event gigs.
9. How her gig playing began with word-of-mouth and has grown into regular weddings and choir accompaniment.
10. She encouraged teachers to step outside their comfort zones and say yes to opportunities.
11. Technology she used like iPads with ForScore and apps like Note Rush to enhance teaching.

Links Mentioned

1. Lydia's website: CotswoldPianist.com
2. Lydia's Instagram: @cotswoldpianist and @cotswoldpianostudio
3. Lydia's Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@cotswoldpianist
4. TopCast 429: Piano Method Navigator with Anna Beth Rucker

Today’s Guest

Lydia Tomita is a pianist, teacher and piano studio owner based in the beautiful Cotswolds, UK. Lydia graduated from Royal Holloway, University of London with a BMus, where she specialised in piano performance. In the 20 plus years since then she has had a portfolio career consisting of a mixture of teaching, performing and accompanying. Since moving to The Cotswolds 11 years ago Lydia has become more and more in demand as a teacher. As a result she now runs a team of 5 teachers, teaching over 100 pupils across the Cotswolds, with more to come! She also loves teaching adults and is passionate about the idea that it is never too late to do the things you love, whether you are the pupil or the teacher! She enjoys playing for weddings and events at stunning locations nearby, and regularly accompanies choirs. When she isn't teaching Lydia loves walking in the surrounding countryside with her two not-so-little-anymore children.

About Rachel Ehring

Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.

1. Visit her website at RachelEhring.com
2. Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
3. Visit her YouTube channel: @dreamlavendermusic6694
4. Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music

Thank you for tuning in!

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