Wellington
Piano Lessons | Organ Lessons | Ensemble Coaching, Theory Lessons, Online Lessons
Bio
Dr Kemp English is one of New Zealand’s leading concert performers and recording artists. Highlights of past solo appearances include the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Sydney Town Hall, Westminster Central Hall London, Tewkesbury Abbey, Chester Cathedral, Hull City Hall, Montpellier Cathedral, National Centre for Early Music (UK), Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin Town Halls, Scots’ Church Melbourne, University of York, University of Glasgow and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. His impressive list of recordings features 23 internationally acclaimed CDs on the Naxos, Decca and Ode record labels, playing the organ, modern piano, fortepiano and harpsichord. His 12 CD cycle of the complete Kozeluch keyboard sonatas (on the Naxos Premium Grand Piano label) gained a five-star review from Germany’s most important review site www.klassik.com.
After a distinguished and prizewinning studentship at London’s Royal Academy of Music, Kemp was invited to become a tutor in the RAM’s Junior Academy. Following posts in schools and tertiary education in the UK and Switzerland, he immigrated to New Zealand in 1994. From 1994 – 2005 Dr English was University Organist and Executant Lecturer in Piano, Organ, Fortepiano and Harpsichord Performance at the University of Otago and conjunctly Organist at St Joseph’s Cathedral and Knox College. In 2005 he relinquished his university, cathedral and private teaching posts and moved to the Tasman region to concentrate on his increasingly hectic international performing and recording career. In recent years he has given Masterclasses in the UK, China and Australia. These rewarding experiences have rekindled his commitment to supporting the next generation of up-and-coming keyboard players. He relocated to the Kapiti Coast in 2020.
Dr English’s students have won 1st and joint 2nd place (no first prize was awarded that year) in the last two New Zealand Organ Association National Performance Awards.
Teaching Info
Dr English is available to teach piano, organ, fortepiano and harpsichord for all levels and age groups. He can also offer consultation lessons for players interested in exploring aspects of style and Historical Performance Practice on the fortepiano and harpsichord. Over the years his students have gained distinctions in all the grades of both ABRSM and Trinity London and he has coached many successful diploma students in piano and organ.
Comments from students:
“Dear Kemp, Thank you so much. Your quality of teaching is quite unbelievable. Thank you for being so kind, committed, enthusiastic, encouraging, and being so easy to talk to! I’ve learnt so much from you and hope you know how much we all appreciate you and your time. See you in the future! With gratitude, G.” (Grade 8 (passed with high Distinction) and ATCL (passed with high Distinction) student, now going to Auckland University)
“Dear Kemp, I WILL MISS YOU!!!!! :( Thank you so so so so much for helping me learn and prepare for my Grade 8 exam. I will think of you when I play. You are so funny, nice and the best teacher ever! :). A.” (14-year-old student. Passed Grade 8 with high Distinction)
“Dear Kemp, Thank you so much for being an amazing teacher. You are so nice, funny, encouraging and supportive, and you have taught me so much and I am so grateful for that. I will miss you very much … All the best for the future! :). T. P.S. YOU ARE AWESOME!!” (12-year-old student)
“I would not hesitate to recommend Kemp as a teacher. It is from his teaching that I have fashioned a career path in music, but more importantly, his support and encouragement have kindled a love for music which I will always be grateful for”. R.S MusB(Hons), LTCL, LRSM.