Nigel Pitceathly

Nigel Pitceathly is a teacher of the Russian School of Piano playing, with a lineage passed down from the great pianists and teachers of the 20th Century. He has been Head of Keyboard Studies at Chetham's School of Music in Manchester for 25 years and is an experienced specialist at developing students talents from a young age.

Nigel studied with the late British Concert Pianists Ronald Smith and Maurice Cole, whilst at the King's School, Canterbury. He then went onto the Royal Manchester College of Music, (now the Royal Northern College of Music) where he studied with the distinguished Polish pianist Ryszard Bakst, who was a pupil of Heinrich Neuhaus.

This pedigree has been extremally important throughout Nigel’s teaching career. Neuhaus wrote what is considered to be the pianists bible, the book entitled “The Art of Piano Playing”. Heinrich Neuhaus also taught the some of the most brilliant and successful concert pianists of the 20th century including Sviatoslav Richter, Emil Giles and Radu Lupu.

The concepts and ideals which Nigel teaches are derived from the heritage of the Russian School of Piano playing. There is a strong emphasis on weight distribution for a “bel canto” (beautiful, singing) sound in relation to the musical line and shape of the phrase. Through his repertoire knowledge, a lifetime of teaching experience and this methodology Nigel has transformed many young students into professional pianists with excellent score reading abilities, a well-trained ear and a solid pianistic technique.

Generations of piano students during the 1980's and 1990's passed through Nigel’s hands, or felt the influence of his teaching. Several of whom have successfully made careers and are active professional pianists. Notable examples include Harry Nowakowski-Fox, Alison Rhind and the international concert pianist Paul Lewis.

In 1997 Tamsin Day Lewis created the Channel 4 documentary “Laying the Foundations” which was filmed at Chetham's School of Music. This episode followed the daily work of Nigel and his pupils, receiving high acclaim and worldwide recognition for the exceptional work and the opportunities young musicians were exposed to through his teaching support and dedication.

Nigel retired in 2001 and since then he has taught individual pupils of all ages with talent and a passion for the piano. He has a particular interest in building foundations for talented children who desire careers as pianists as well helping adult pupils who seek to rediscover their passion for the piano.