Antonio Losciale - Piano MMUS

[email protected]

Commentary

The main part of my personal portfolio is composed of my curriculum

vitae and biography; two elements that I would define undoubtedly essential
for a music teacher. As a matter of fact, alongside studying and performing, I
have always been somewhat captivated by piano teaching, constantly trying to
develop this side of my skill set. Generally speaking, I firmly believe that
instilling knowledge to someone is the most motivational part of this
profession and, in particular, the best way to prove the effectiveness of the
solutions suggested to students in the lessons, week by week.
Through the early months of the current year, I have met Juliet Ingram,
Careers Coordinator at Trinity Laban, a few times. She significantly helped me
to better understand many aspects of a potential career in music, with special
attention paid to the basics, i.e., the differences between CV, biography and
short biography, etc. Juliet helped me to clarify my goals, as we met several
times. At that time, all I knew was that I really liked the idea to keep on
performing and teaching here, in London. After a few days, my CV started to
take shape (p. 5-8) and so I decided to draw particular attention to my
academic education, rather than highlighting other information, i.e., concerts
and awards.
As a piano student, I have always been rejecting the idea of taking part
in competitions, although always strongly encouraged by piano teachers and
performers. Since none of my parents received musical education, I was they
encourage to participate in public musical contests and I simply did not care
too much at that time. It goes without saying that one of my key strengths is
embodied by the undertaken multi-year musical education; that is why I
decided to list each and every single step of my educational path. During my
years as a piano student, I also had the chance to be selected for concerts and
important masterclasses which enriched my musical perspective. Several
teachers and performers have influenced me musically and that gave me the
chance to expand my point of view, as I was always encouraged to find
solutions whenever it was needed to solve a particular musical/technical
problem. Therefore, I absolutely wanted that to be clear in my CV right from
the start. In hindsight, I consider that to be a good point to highlight in my
Professional Portfolio. The central part of my CV contains detailed information

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about my teaching experience, whereas the last part focuses on the main
performance experiences.
Speaking about my long biography (p. 8), I would define it as a
conversational CV, which contains the main qualifications I was able to
achieve. I always want the reader to be aware of my musical background,
degrees and titles; that is why the long version of my biography traces my CV
chronologically. Along similar lines, I would define the short version of my
biography (p. 9) as a precis of my biography. I have been using both versions
for some performances, completing them with at least one photograph (p. 11-
12). I did not think too much about how to improve the two versions of my
biographies though, as I have been focusing mainly on job searching during the
last year. While I was working on my CV, I did some web research as well, in
order to find valid suggestions to outline and schematise the main information
that I needed to include (p. 4).
After composing CV and biographies, I started to drop some lines for a
cover letter, as I was feeling an urge to search for teacher job. The opening of
my cover letter (p. 10) contains some short information about my musical
background and current studies. Without going into details, I clearly state, at
some point in the bottom line, that my CV has been attached, also mentioning
my YouTube Channel link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqY_7-gaCyQ

Although my Channel contains quite old videos, I find it to be an

effective and quick way to show my pianistic skills. I am planning to add more
recent and interesting videos, in order to get the best from this absolutely
video-sharing website. In the central part of my cover letter, I simply point out
my passion for piano teaching and related reasons.
In the early months of 2016, I was able to obtain a job as a peripatetic piano
teacher, working for two agencies here, in London. It has been a chance to
grow my teaching experience, by teaching absolute beginners and
intermediate piano students. After a few months, I wanted to search for a job
in private music schools. Although I could make more money as a peripatetic
piano teacher, I decided to travel just to one place instead of many, accepting
a more stable job in the school where I am currently teaching. The reason for
this is clearly the fact that I am still studying at Trinity Laban; at the moment, in
fact, I cannot work six days a week for many hours, as after finishing my
Master in September, I will attend the PGAD.
At the moment, I work as a piano teacher at WKMT Academy, in West
Kensington, London. WKMT is a very busy music school where it is possible to
learn several musical instruments, attending different courses as well (i.e.,
music theory, composition). I teach beginner, intermediate and advanced

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piano students and I personally train and prepare most of them for Music
Theory, ABRSM and Trinity College examinations.
I find my job to be very challenging, as I constantly have to put myself to
the test in order to find solutions which can be suitable for each and every one
of my students, week by week. I feel honoured and strongly motivated to work
alongside qualified teachers and performers. I really like the atmosphere at the
studio and the reasons are several. As a team, all the teachers are regularly
asked to perform in public concerts in some of the most beautiful venues in
London, organised by the school during the year. All the events are publicised
and all the teacher are paid for their service. Our team director warmly
promotes both teacher and student performances during public festivals, in
order to keep the standard of the school at the highest level possible. That is
absolutely a great chance to perform and collaborate with other artists in
festivals, bringing always more students to the school as well.
Every month, the teacher team is invited to a masterclass in which is possible
to discuss about different topics (i.e., technique, memorisation, etc.). I think
that to be a good way to exchange ideas, relating to our personal music
experience. All the information can be found on the WKMT website:

http://www.piano-composer-teacher-london.co.uk
The promotion of all the activities at WKMT is manly internet based and
all the teachers represent an active part in this process, as they are asked to
comment and sharing posts at least on two social media platforms, i.e.,
LinkedIn, Facebook, Google Plus, Twitter and Instagram. Every month, teachers
also are asked to submit a 300-word brief via mail, where it is possible to speak
about many subjects, i.e., something that truly surprises you about students, a
new technological development that could help their training exponentially,
general concerns and considerations. So at the moment, I am mostly using
Facebook (p. 13-14) and LinkedIn to promote myself and the place where I
work:
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/antonio-losciale-04428510a
I consider Facebook to be a good platform where posting news about my
activities outside and inside the school and performance as well; whereas, I
consider LinkedIn a sort of virtual business card, which contains lots of
information about my musical background. Undoubtedly, both the above
mentioned sites are the perfect place where sharing news, photos, posts
regarding my professional activity.

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 Coming back to the place where I work, I consider it to be absolutely
great, as I do not have to spend too much time in order to promote myself as
an artist, as I am still completing my studies at Trinity Laban. At the moment, it
provides me all the promotion I need, as I have got my personal page with my
CV and picture. WKMT also offers me the chance to get a free photo shoot and
a professional recording as well. Once again, I do not have to spend extra
money for that and it is very convenient. During my PGAD, I will better manage
to improve all the above mentioned things, i.e., biography, YouTube Channel,
etc.
Economically speaking, this job is extremely suitable for me in this
transitional part of my life. As I am completing my Master and I applied for a
PGAD, I will not be able to teach every day of the week; nevertheless, by
working just two days per week, I will be able to pay my rent and living costs as
well. That is ideal, as my priority at the moment is completing my musical
studies, as a part time student. During the next year, I am planning to improve
not only my biography and CV as well, but I would like to think more about
myself as an artist. I decided not to open a website yet, as I do not feel this is
necessary. I would like to spend the next two years performing more while
working and studying.
Speaking about my future, I am considering to apply for a piano teacher
job in some other places, such as Blackheath Conservatoire, never neglecting
my activity as a soloist and chamber music performer.

Bibliography
On line references:
https://www.theguardian.com/careers/writing-an-arts-cv
http://www.arts.ac.uk/student-jobs-and-careers/get-jobs-advice/how-to-
write-a-cover-letter/

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https://www.artsy.net/article/elena-soboleva-what-we-learned-from-writing-
7-000-artist-bios

Antonio Losciale Flat 10 6 Observatory Mews

E14 3AZ London

Piano [email protected]

MUSIC EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Sept 2014 - Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London

Sept 2016 MMus Piano under the tutelage of Gabriele Baldocci

− Specialist options in Applied Psychology for Performers and Analysis for

Performers
− Classes in Piano Pedagogy with Penelope Roskell

Sept 2012 - Istituto Superiore di Studi Musicali ‘G.B. Pergolesi’, Ancona (Italy)

June 2013 Completed the first year of a two-year Postgraduate Diploma (specialising in
performance) before the Institute closed due to lack of funds.

Studied solo and concerto repertoire under the tutelage of Lorenzo Di Bella

Sept 2013 - ‘Accademia Pianistica delle Marche’ in Recanati (Italy)

June 2014 Advanced piano studies under the tutelage of Lorenzo Di Bella

Jan 2012 - ‘Accademia Musicale Pescarese’ in Pescara (Italy)

June 2012 Advanced piano studies under the tutelage of Giuliano Mazzoccante

Nov 2008 - ‘L. D'Annunzio’ Conservatoire of Pescara (Italy)

Nov 2012 Bachelor’s Degree with Honours

Jul 2005 - Auditorium ‘A. Manzoni’ in Andria (Italy)

Aug 2005 Advanced piano studies under the tutelage of Tiziano Poli and Nazzareno Carusi

Jul 2006 - ‘United European Culture Association’ in San Donato in Poggio (FI)

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Aug 2006 Advanced piano studies under the tutelage of Tiziano Poli and Nazzareno Carusi

Nov 1998 - ‘U. Giordano’ Conservatoire of Foggia, (Italy)

Nov 2007 Lower and intermediate level piano studies under the tutelage of Alessandro Drago,

Tatjana Vratonjic, Beatrice Botti, Eleonora Orlando.

− Solfège, Melodic Dictation and Musical Theory 2-year Diploma

− Complementary Harmony 2-year Diploma
− Music History 2-year Diploma

Masterclasses Enrico Pace, Orazio Maione, Nazzareno Carusi, Lucia Passaglia, Lorenzo Di Bella, Giuliano
Mazzoccante, Fanny Solter, Eduardo Hubert, Elżbieta Tarnawska, Tatjana Vratonjic,
Claudio Trovajoli, Tiziano Poli.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

May 2016 - Piano Teacher, WKMT (West Kensington Music Team), London

Present Teaching beginner, intermediate and advanced piano students.

Working specifically with ABRSM and Trinity College exam candidate students.

Jan 2016 Piano Teacher, Arts Academy, London

-Present
Teaching beginner level piano students.

Jan 2016 -
Piano Teacher, Fireworks Music School, London
Present
Teaching beginner level piano students.

Sept 2012 -
Present Visiting Piano Teacher, Accademia ‘Alban Berg' - Libero Conservatorio di Musica of
Pescara (Italy)

Teaching intermediate and advanced level piano students both in groups and on an
individual basis including:

- The history of the piano and the history of (piano) methods from C.Ph.E. Bach to
Brugnoli.

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 - Practical lessons covering technique and self-awareness: how to sit at the piano,
how to produce the right sound, general advice about maintaining the best position
(hands, arms, etc.), how to study a piece of music, the use of agogic accents and
dynamics.

PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE (SELECTED)

Following my move to London, I held a lunchtime concert at the Old Royal Naval College Chapel in
Greenwich (23rd October 2014), playing music by F. Liszt, S. Rachmaninoff and M. Ravel.

Whilst a student in Italy undertaking advanced piano studies, I performed both as a soloist and in
chamber music ensembles, also taking part in orchestral projects in various cities and foundations
including: Palazzo Dogana in Foggia, Telethon Marathon 2005 in Foggia, Sala Concerti ‘G. Paisiello' in
Lucera, Auditorium ‘A. Manzoni' in Andria, Palazzo Malaspina e Teatro della Società Filarmonica in
San Donato in Poggio, Santa Irene Monastery in Catignano, Auditorium ‘Santa Maria a Bitetto' in
Teramo.

I was selected by L. D’Annunzio’ Conservatoire of Pescara to take part in the final evening concert of
the academic year for four consecutive years, from 2009 to 2012, at which I played pieces by J.
Brahms, M. Ravel, C. Debussy, S. Rachmaninoff, F. Chopin and F. Liszt.

In 2012 I was selected by ‘L. D'Annunzio Conservatoire’ of Pescara to perform the evening solo
concert “Feux d'artifice”, playing pieces by Ravel, Chopin and Debussy, on the occasion of the 150
years of C. Debussy's birth, in range of the Pomeriggi Musicali in Teramo (Italy), where each year the
most representative students of all Italian Conservatories are invited to perform.

On 17th December 2005 I was selected by ‘U. Giordano' Conservatoire of Foggia to perform the
evening solo concert on the occasion of Telethon Marathon, playing pieces by Chopin.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Languages: English (fluent)

Italian (native speaker)

DBS checked (27/01/2016)

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REFEREES
Gabriele Baldocci, Piano professor at Trinity Laban in London and at Potenza State Conservatory in
Italy.

Mail: [email protected]
Mobile: 07710 617106

Long Biography

Antonio Losciale started studying piano as self-taught at the age of eight until
he enrolled at “U.Giordano” Conservatorie of Foggia (Italy), attending the
traditional course for eight years. Subsequently he enrolled at “L. D'Annunzio”
Conservatoire of Pescara (Italy), obtaining the bachelor’s degree with honours.
During his studies he attended several yearly high improvement courses such
as those held by pianists Giuliano Mazzoccante at Accademia Musicale
Pescarese (Pescara, Italy) and Nazzareno Carusi at “United European Music
Association” cultural centre in Florence. He also took part as effective student
in numerous masterclasses, such as those held by the international pianists
Enrico Pace, Orazio Maione, Lucia Passaglia, Lorenzo Di Bella, Elżbieta
Tarnawska, Siavush Gadjiev, Fanny Solter, Milena Mollova and Eduardo
Hubert.
In 2012 selected by “L.D'Annunzio” Conservatoire of Pescara, he held the
evening solo concert “Feux d'artifice”, playing pieces of Ravel, Chopin and
Debussy, on the occasion of the 150 years of C. Debussy's birth, in range
of the “Pomeriggi Musicali” in Teramo (Italy), where every years the most
representative students of all Italian Conservatories are invited to perform.
After his graduation in 2012, he continued his training for two years as PG
student both at “G.B. Pergolesi” Conservatoire of Ancona and Piano Academy
of Marche, in Recanati, under the tutelage of L. Di Bella, studying solo and
Concerto repertoire.
Habitually selected into the academic environment, he performed both as a
soloist and in chamber music ensembles, also taking part in orchestral projects
in various cities and foundations: Old Royal Naval College Chapel, Blackheath
Halls, Palazzo Dogana in Foggia (Italy), Telethon Marathon 2005 in Foggia
(Italy), Sala Concerti “G. Paisiello” in Lucera (Italy), Auditorium “A. Manzoni” in

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Andria (Italy), Palazzo Malaspina e Teatro della Società Filarmonica in San
Donato in Poggio- in Florence, “Santa Irene” Monastery of Catignano-Abruzzi.
In July 2014 he settled in the UK, after joining the Trinity Laban Conservatoire
of Music and Dance in London, supported by Trinity Laban Hardship Fund and
Music Students Hostel Trust, where is currently completing a Master in Music
Performance under the tutelage of Gabriele Baldocci.
In September of the same year he held a lunchtime concert at Old Royal Naval
College Chapel in London, playing music by Liszt, Rachmaninoff and Ravel.
Besides studying and performing, he is a passionate piano teacher and
currently works at WKMT Academy, in West Kensington, London. He will also
attend the PG Artist Diploma programme starting from September 2016.

Short Biography

Antonio Losciale started studying piano as self-taught at the age of eight until
he enrolled at “U.Giordano” Conservatorie of Foggia (Italy), attending the
traditional course for eight years. Subsequently he enrolled at “L. D'Annunzio”
Conservatoire of Pescara (Italy), obtaining the bachelor’s degree with honours.
During his studies he attended several yearly high improvement courses such
as those held by pianists Lorenzo Di Bella, Giuliano Mazzoccante and
Nazzareno Carusi. He also took part as effective student in numerous
masterclasses held by international pianists such as Enrico Pace, Orazio
Maione, Lorenzo Di Bella, Elżbieta Tarnawska, Siavush Gadjiev, Fanny Solter
and Milena Mollova.
In 2012 selected by “L.D'Annunzio” Conservatoire of Pescara, he held the
evening solo concert “Feux d'artifice”, playing pieces of Ravel, Chopin and
Debussy, on the occasion of the 150 years of C. Debussy's birth, in range
of the “Pomeriggi Musicali” in Teramo (Italy), where every years the most
representative students of all Italian Conservatories are invited to perform.
Habitually selected into the academic environment, he performed both as a
soloist and in chamber music ensembles, also taking part in orchestral projects
in various cities and foundations. In July 2014 he settled in the UK, after joining
the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London, supported by
Trinity Laban Hardship Fund and Music Students Hostel Trust, where is
currently completing a MMus under the tutelage of Gabriele Baldocci.
In September of the same year he held a lunchtime concert at Old Royal Naval
College Chapel in London, playing music by Liszt, Rachmaninoff and Ravel.

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Besides studying and performing, he works as a piano teacher at WKMT
Academy in West Kensington, London.

Cover Letter

Good evening,
I am a Mmus part time student on my second and last year at Trinity Laban
Conservatoire of Music and Dance in Greenwich. I've currently applied for the
PGAD (Post Graduate Artist Diploma) at the same institute. I wonder if you are
searching for a piano teacher, as I would be ideally looking for a good piano
school where improving and enriching my experience as a teacher. I've been
working for six months as a peripatetic piano teacher for Arts Academy and
Fireworks Piano School here, in London, the place where I am willing to settle.
I am a very enthusiastic and honest performer and teacher searching for the
right environment which could help and support my professional growth.
During my multi-year musical studies, I was given the chance to work with
several great teachers and pianists who always appreciated and encouraged
my personal way of solving technical and musical issues while I was working on
new and challenging masterpieces. That is the sense of my work, which is first
a daily work on myself. I like putting myself to the test in order to grow,
strengthening my preparation and finding always new solutions for me and for
my students. I think that the best reward for a teacher is observing students
while they improve, by encouraging and supporting their personal musical
sensitivity.
Here is attached my CV, so you will be able to find all the needed information
about my musical background. You can also find some clips on my YouTube
channel as well (Antonio Losciale).
Please, do not hesitate to contact me, if interested.
Kind regards,

Antonio Losciale

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Photographs

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