Hi Dave,
I would like to take this opportunity to say how pleased we are with Gerard’s progression during the very short time he has been with Presto.
We were sold at the free induction with regard to the professionalism of your organisation but also with Stuart’s enthusiasm.
Gerard showed an interest in drums and we searched the internet for lessons and came across Presto. The information in your pack is certainly reflected in the human aspect of your Company, Stuart has passed on an amazing amount of knowledge to Gerard in such a short time, to showcase six pieces of music with rhythm and beat and to be able to discuss other aspects that he has learnt during the lesson in front of an audience of strangers certainly is a massive achievement.
Does Stuart know just how good he is communicating with his students? Such a natural teacher, he would leave a lot of primary school teachers standing, I am extremely impressed and certainly hope that Gerard continues for some time with his lessons, as you put it in your Parents pack I do not doubt he will gain a quality music education along with the other ten benefits you quite rightly include.
Thank you to Stuart and well done, he deserves every success that comes his way.
I don't want to finish the email without passing on our thanks to the other team member who stepped in whilst Stuart was away you all work brilliantly.
It’s important to us to know that our children are in a happy and caring environment in all that they do and in Presto we have found that.
Kind regards,
Karen Lally 19th October 2011
Dear Dave,
We were delighted to receive your letter and ‘Star of the Week Certificate’ for James on the 11 July. James was ‘over the moon’ to get the certificate and has framed it and put it on his bedroom wall.
We are very pleased with the progress that James is making, not only in his learning of the keyboard and music but also in the enormous self confidence that the lessons are giving him.
Mike does an excellent job with James and all of the other pupils. He is clearly an asset to your team and his exceptional enthusiasm and the tremendous encouragement that he gives are pleasantly infectious. He is certainly getting the best out of James, who thinks Mike is ‘awesome’.
For those who have undergone a more ‘traditional’ (often boring) approach to learning music, we find the methods that Presto take extremely refreshing and exciting.
We are particularly pleased that your style not only concentrates on the individual and their needs but also focuses on making learning music fun and enjoyable.
Anthony & Liz Higgins - 23rd July 2011
That was great today Dave. Jamie is over the moon! He's been sending pictures of his trophy to his friends etc. He's come right out of his shell thanks to you. I would never have imagined he'd have the confidence to sit in front of so many people and play so well. Thank you for everything you have all done, it's not only made us feel extremely proud, it's given Jamie what I (and he) hope is a taste of things to come. You've made Jamie feel very special.
Simon Alsamarraie 5th July 2011, re his son drumming for the entire show (!) with the Presto Roadshow at his old primary school.
Hi Dave,
Thank you for the farewell message the other day, I've been so busy, sorting out everything for my going back flight and finally I've just arrived in my country just a few days ago.
I really enjoyed the lessons and all teachers were friendly, kind and fantastic, I didn't even expect I could improve my skill that much! I'd look forward to showing my playing to teachers every single week, and every time teachers gave me really effective advice or tip which I couldn't come up with on my own. I think that really helped a lot for my improvement. Definitely it was one of my most enjoyable times in the UK.
I'll keep up my music career and hope I can learn music with you guys again someday!
Many thanks to you again and just say hello to teachers for me x
Thank you,
Hiro
Hiroaki Suzuki - 4th June 2011
Hi Dave,
Just to let you know how fantastic it was for my son to do a drum lesson with Starsailor’s Ben Byrne this Saturday. He was absolutely over the moon and wants to be just like Ben when he grows up now!!!!
He loves their music and just can’t believe Ben was sitting next to him and teaching him. I can’t think of a better way to inspire young musicians than that!! Also, what a nice guy.
Thanks a lot Dave, we are delighted with the progress our son has made with his drumming, you run a fantastic school and your staff are a credit to you.
Mark Wenham - 15th January 2011
"To All the Team at Presto,
I have been meaning to write to you for a while and after last Thursday’s performance at the Piano Bar, it’s prompted me!!!
Max has been coming to Presto for a year now and it’s the one activity he never ever has complained about doing! He loves playing drums and thinks Chris is the best drummer in the world! (which, Chris if you read this, obviously you are!!). Everyone is always friendly and nothing is too much trouble. Your methods of teaching music are wonderful and it constantly amazes me how much Max has learnt in a year. Then to top it off, you put on Rocktober!!!
I know you have done these before but it must have been incredibly hard work and I realize how much time and effort by you all must have been put in, but as a parent – Thank you! To see all the kids having an amazing time performing and the level of maturity and musicianship by them all was fantastic. From Max’s perspective, he had the best time ever and loved every minute of it.
I’m looking forward to Max staying on at Presto and thank you all again".
Abbi Burton - 4th November 2010
“Thanks to Calum, Chris , Dave and all at Presto Music for their help in Rebecca Kelly winning Bellerive`s school year Certificate for Academic Achievement in Music for year 09/10 presented at The Metropolitan Cathedral Of Christ The King.
Without your help it would not have been possible. Cannot praise and recommend Presto Music enough. Thanks.”
John and Cath Kelly –
4th December 2010
"Our kids absolutely love their lessons with you- it's great to see them come bounding out of their lessons with great big smiles on their faces, desperate to show you all the things they've been learning".
Neil Fitzmaurice, Radio Presenter for Radio City 96.7 - 11th January 2010
"After having private lessons as a child on a one to one basis & focusing mainly on theory, I have begun to re-learn the piano as an adult with Presto.
I find that this is a much more enjoyable experience, learning in a relaxed environment. The lessons are fun and varied each week and I am able to provide an input as to pieces I would like to learn too. I am under no pressure to learn the piano academically as I simply enjoy playing as a hobby which is wholly supported by the staff at Presto."
Steph Chalk -
17th October 2009
“All 3 of my sons absolutely love their lessons at Presto. We attend for Keyboard, Drums and Guitar and they have been with Presto since the beginning. It’s been a delight to watch their musical talents grow with them.”
Helen Bradshaw - 9th October 2009
“This place is amazing. I have never seen my son so enthusiastic about anything in his life- ever. What can I say? Brilliant!”
Peter Monks - 18th Sept 2009
“Awesome- your tutors are a real credit to you. I do believe you have got something very special here”.
Phill Hilton - 1st September 2009
My 8 year old son started learning guitar at Presto in January and he absolutely loves it! The teachers and all the staff are great sources of inspiration and make learning real fun. In the short amount of time Tom has been playing, I can’t believe how good he sounds already. He’s always practising and even performs ‘living room concerts’ for friends and family occasionally! Presto is a brilliant place for both children and adults to learn. Highly recommended.
Lisa Baker -
1st July 2008
The music lessons supplied by Presto are, in short, fantastic! Our two girls both attend the school for different sessions - one guitar, the other drums. I have been massively impressed not only by the invigorating lessons provided but how this is supported with excellent customer service. As a busy working mum, the less ‘taxi-driving’ I have to do, the better. Presto were able to cater around the girls’ busy schedule meaning both attend their lessons at the same time and I only have to take them once a week. The teachers are brilliant - very supportive, young, talented and professional. They have some wonderful (sometimes wacky) ideas and the girls love attending. Congratulations to all at Presto on an excellent business, ten out of ten!
Mrs Angela Peters -
September 2008
“Since I started lessons at the school, the quality and balance of activities in my life is much improved. Commitment to regular music lessons has enabled me to set boundaries around how much time I spend on work (which I love) and play. I have a much healthier outlook and balance on life. When I tell people how much fun I am having, many say "I wish I could play a musical instrument", then I recommend Presto.”
Susie Marreiros - 20th May 2008
“I joined Presto to learn the piano a few months ago (as an adult I wasn't sure I would be able to find a school where I could learn) - I had never previously played an instrument nor read music so they had a bit of a challenge with me! Although I'm still very much a beginner, I am thoroughly enjoying my lessons - spurred on by a very enthusiastic teacher my confidence is growing with each lesson. I would thoroughly recommend Presto to anyone of any age who is keen to learn in a fun and friendly environment.”
Carmena Woods - 17th December 2007
"The results attained by Presto Music School candidates greatly exceed the national LCM average. Since January 2005 over half of all candidates entered continually achieve a Distinction. Over 86% achieved a Merit or Distinction in the Spring 2009 session – and the overall Pass rate is 100%. This represents an extraordinary record of achievement and success. Congratulations to all the students and teachers at Presto! It is always a pleasure talking and working with Presto Music".
Philip Aldred
Chief Examiner in Music
London College of Music Examinations
Thames Valley University
“Presto is a great achievement, characterized by a thoroughly practical, common sense approach. The choice of music combines plenty of old favourites with some imaginative, specially composed material. Traditional theory is painlessly drip-fed throughout, and the explanations are foolproof. Presto is attractively presented and has been intelligently thought through by two experienced practitioners in the field. I do not know a better introduction to the electronic keyboard.”
Julian McNamara MA (Oxon) FRCO
Director of Music
The Oratory School
Oxford
"The Presto course and LCM Exam Syllabus are far more relevant to today’s musician. They feature all the required musical skills, producing a more well-rounded musician than the traditional classical piano route.”
Janice Pounds
Music Education Officer
Warrington Borough Council
Presto. Where do I start? Yes it is a music school; you pay your fees monthly, you have lessons weekly on your chosen instrument, and if you want to you can proceed to take an exam. What else does one need to know?
As a parent we want to know how our child is doing, how to help, what books are needed and the list goes on. Presto can answer your questions. At Presto all I can say is that it is like a second home the way one would sort out things within a family setting is not dissimilar to Presto.
I have two children attending Presto and I have seen them develop since day one. With both keyboards and drums the children have gained the ability to read the music appropriate to their grades. This we would expect but they have also grown in confidence.
Weekly lessons have several children attending one class. A down side? NO! The teachers know each child by name, the grade and the piece they are currently working on. The pupil has time to play their piece, continue with it or move on to the next piece having been given guidance by the teacher. No pressure added as each child proceeds at their own pace. The younger child always has feedback from the teacher to ensure parents know how they can assist at home with that child’s own weeks work programme. This may be written, verbal or both. With an older child or adult this feedback is given throughout the lesson.
As the pupil continues working through the specially written Presto books the opportunity to gain something different each week and the excitement of playing something new is there. Sometimes children don’t want to practice so the teachers are there again supporting you to give tips and encouragement to both pupil and parent. A favourite tune may be devised and the child is back on the road self-motivated.
Apart from the weekly lessons other courses are offered. These I recommend as the child learns other elements of music. The school also holds presentation evenings which gives opportunity for any of the pupils to participate and perform a piece of their choice on stage. This is a wonderful evening, and it is great to see your child having the confidence to do this because they want to and not because they have been chosen as the best.
As an adult we say “we wish we had been able to access a school like Presto when we were young”! Music has no boundaries, and Presto from our family experience has no end of patience. From the very, very young to the very, very old - oh is that a tune coming on? Get down to Presto!
Thank you to the Presto team from Nora Peake and family.
Nora Peake - 26th June 2008
