Oliver Hopkins

I'm a London based Bass and guitar teacher. I graduated from Trinity College of Music in 2012 with a degree in Jazz double bass and now teach in a variety of schools across London, in addition to private lessons both in person and online.

Peripatetic teacher at Oasis Academy Silvertown 2020 – Present

Bass, Guitar teaching in one-to-one and group settings

Peripatetic teacher at School 21 Stratford 2017- Present

Bass, Guitar teaching in one-to-one and group settings, leading Motown Band, Big Band and Wind band sectionals

Peripatetic cover teacher at Kingsdale Sydenham 2022-Present

Bass (both Electric and double), Guitar teaching in one-to-one and group settings

Extensive experience as a Private Tutor 2007-present

Teaching Bass guitar, Double bass, Song writing and Music Theory

Private guitar teacher at Holland Park / Greater London Tutors Teaching Agency 2013 – 2014

Assistant Tutor at Trinity College of Music Jazz summer school 2011

Teaching one-to-one as well as in groups, working with musicians of all ages (9 – 72) and abilities 

Tutor at “Master classes with Saxophonist Finn Peters” for the Tomorrows Warriors Jazz Group 2010

Working with young jazz musicians aged 12- 17

Performance  

Bass Player for worldwide tours with a number of artists including; Citizens!, Gabby Young and Other Animals, Cats Eye’s.

Recording work with artists including; Will Joseph Cook (Sweet Dreamer – Atlantic), Leo Stannard (Notions - Sony), Archivist (Memo), Gabby Young and Other Animals (One Foot In Front of the Other), Hugh (Love, Hugh), The Nathan Britton Trio (Soho Live), The Bergamot (Mayflies)

Recording credits for tv and film include – ‘Pieces of a Woman’ film soundtrack, Curzon (online advert), Uber, Frankie (BBC) and Dancing on the edge (BBC).

Radio credits for music I have composed and produced for my own band ‘Private Jetlag’ include Chris Hawkins (BBC6 music) and John Kennedy (Radio X).

Skills

Leadership

In addition to teaching one-to-one, I have a wealth of experience teaching in group scenarios. This experience has given me the skills to effectively divide my attention between members of the group to ensure that the pace is maintained whilst keeping everyone engaged. It is common in a group situation for some students to find material more challenging than others and I am good at identifying this and encouraging the students that struggle. I know the importance of inspiring interest in the subject when teaching a group, and my passion for teaching helps me to do this.  

Communication

I am able to work with a wide range of people from a variety of different backgrounds and capabilities. I believe that the key to bringing out the best in students is to listen to them, and work together to find solutions to problems that might arise during lessons. I am approachable, and welcome questions from students, which I believe keeps their interest in a class. Having taught such a wide range of students, I am able to effectively decipher a student’s needs quickly, and tailor specific material to them in a manner that I feel they will benefit most from. 

Adaptability

I am constantly reflecting on what material and methods might improve effective learning for my students. I am very comfortable drawing up lesson plans and researching different approaches to certain material in order to benefit students. In order to cater to students’ vast range of musical preferences, it requires a wide ranging knowledge of different musical styles and appropriate stylistic considerations.  I have developed this knowledge from my both my formal music education, and then built on this further whilst performing on tour with a variety of different bands. With styles including Rock, Pop and Jazz artists.

Peripatetic teacher at Oasis Academy Silvertown 2020 – Present

Bass, Guitar teaching in one-to-one and group settings

Peripatetic teacher at School 21 Stratford 2017- Present

Bass, Guitar teaching in one-to-one and group settings, leading Motown Band, Big Band and Wind band sectionals

Extensive experience as a Private Tutor 2007-present

Teaching Bass guitar, Double bass, Song writing and Music Theory

Private guitar teacher at Holland Park / Greater London Tutors Teaching Agency 2013 – 2014

Assistant Tutor at Trinity College of Music Jazz summer school 2011

Teaching one-to-one as well as in groups, working with musicians of all ages (9 – 72) and abilities 

Tutor at “Master classes with Saxophonist Finn Peters” for the Tomorrows Warriors Jazz Group 2010

Working with young jazz musicians aged 12- 17

Trinity College of Music, London 2008 – 2012

BMus (Hons) Jazz performance Double Bass – scholarship

Players School of Music, Florida, USA – 2007

Diploma 

Victor Wooten’s “Bass at the Beach”, Tennessee, USA - 2006

Victor Wooten’s “Bass Nature Camp”, North Carolina, USA - 2005

Hymers College, Hull 1998 – 2008 

3 A levels: Music A, Religious Education B, Psychology C

10 GCSEs (A*- C) including Mathematics and English