Piano Lessons and Piano Teacher in Derby : Dom Scohy
About Your Piano Teacher in Derby: A Lifetime of Music
Growing up with an Italian mother who was an international opera singer, I was immersed in music from an early age. That environment inspired a lifelong passion which I have spent more than 20 years developing as a pianist, composer, performer and teacher.
I studied Piano Performance and Composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Brussels, graduating with a Master's degree in Piano Performance and a Master's degree in Composition. While my musical roots are classical, my career has taken me through jazz, world music, improvisation, composition and music production.
After my studies, I performed with a variety of jazz ensembles before joining a Senegalese African percussion ensemble. This experience eventually led me to teach African percussion at a specialised secondary school for autistic teenagers, an experience that remains one of the most rewarding of my career.
As a performer and composer, I have worked across many musical styles, from jazz fusion with Oobleck to Sufi music, contemporary pop and film music. My compositions include scores for independent films and a Christmas charity song broadcast on BBC Radio Derby Introducing.
Alongside my private piano lessons in Derby, I also teach in primary and secondary schools, supporting pupils studying GCSE Music, A-level Music, music theory, composition and performance. For several years on top of being a piano teacher in Derby, I also organised and hosted a Beginner Jam Night at Dubrek Studios, creating a welcoming environment where musicians could meet, gain confidence and enjoy making music together.
Teaching has always been at the heart of my career. Every student learns differently, so I tailor every lesson to the individual. Whether your goal is to pass an exam, perform in a band, compose your own music or simply enjoy playing the piano, my aim is to help you become a confident and well-rounded musician while discovering your own unique musical voice.
I speak English and French fluently, understand Italian, and have a good level of Dutch, allowing me to teach students from a wide range of linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
Whether you're looking for piano lessons in Derby for yourself or your child, preparing for ABRSM, GCSE Music, A-level Music, university or conservatoire auditions, or simply returning to the piano after many years, I'd be delighted to help you on your musical journey.
Piano Lessons and Piano Teacher in Derby: Achieve Your Goals
At the heart of my teaching is the belief that every musician has their own unique voice. No two students learn in exactly the same way, which is why every lesson is carefully tailored to each individual's personality, goals and way of learning. Whether your focus is examination success, creativity or simply enjoying the piano, lessons are designed to be engaging, challenging and rewarding.
Examinations & Qualifications
For students working towards formal qualifications, I provide expert preparation for ABRSM Piano Grades 1–8, ARSM, LRSM and FRSM Diplomas, ABRSM Jazz Piano Grades 1–5, ABRSM Music Theory Grades 1–8, as well as GCSE Music, A-level Music and other examination boards. Examinations are excellent milestones, but I believe they should always be balanced with creativity and musical exploration.
Creativity & Musical Expression
Music is much more than reading notes on a page. I encourage students to improvise, compose, arrange and develop their ear, helping them understand not only how music works, but why it sounds the way it does and what it can express. Having previously delivered workshops for piano teachers on improvisation, I enjoy helping students discover that creating music is far more accessible than they often imagine.
Practical Musicianship
Whether you want to play confidently in a band, accompany singers, improve your improvisation, compose for film, develop your music production skills or simply become a more complete musician, lessons are tailored to your personal ambitions. Together, we will find the approach that suits you best, allowing you to develop the technical skills, musical understanding and confidence needed to achieve your goals while enjoying every step of the journey.
Academic & Professional Excellence
𝄞
Royal Conservatoire of Brussels
M.Mus in Piano Performance and Composition
Advanced training at one of Europe's most prestigious institutions, specializing in classical pedagogy and concert repertoire mastery.
🎹
ABRSM Certified Professional
Expert Grading Faculty
Deep expertise in preparing students for ABRSM Piano, Jazz Piano Grades 1-8 and all the ABRSM concert diplomas :
-
ARSM
-
LRSM
-
FRSM
With a track record of high-distinction results.
🎼
20+ Years Exp. Professional
Performer & Media Composer
Active career in live performance and media scoring, featured on BBC Radio, bringing real-world insights to every lesson.
A Bespoke Approach to Mastery
Whether you're preparing for ABRSM, GCSE, A-levels, diplomas or simply learning for pleasure, I can help you achieve your goals.
I believe examinations should be milestones, not the destination. Alongside exam preparation, I encourage every student to explore, improvise, compose and perform, developing not only the skills to pass assessments but also the confidence, creativity and musical understanding to become a well-rounded musician.
This is what I offer:
I believe children learn best when they understand why they are playing something, not simply how to play it. By encouraging curiosity, imagination and storytelling, they develop a deeper connection with music that stays with them long after the lesson ends. rhythm is explored through dance and clapping. not just the dots on the sheet.
Forget the stereotypes. Classical music isn't dusty or outdated. It's powerful, emotional and cinematic. Jazz is vibrant, infectious and alive. Improvisation isn't about playing the "right" notes, it's about expressing ideas, taking risks and finding your own musical identity.
Whether you're interested in film music, jazz, rock, pop or classical repertoire, my lessons encourage creativity alongside technique. I want students to understand why music works, not just how to play it. Because once you understand the language of music, you can begin to tell your own stories.
"I'm too old."
"I'll never be able to play that."
"I wish I'd started as a child."
These are some of the most common things I hear from adult students. In reality, the biggest obstacle is rarely your hands. It's the little voice in your head telling you that you're not good enough.
Learning music as an adult is a different journey, but it is an incredibly rewarding one. One of my goals is not only to teach you the piano, but also to help you build confidence through music. Every lesson is a chance to discover that you are capable of much more than you think.
Another challenge many adults face is the fear of making mistakes. The truth is, mistakes are wonderful. They are one of the most valuable parts of learning. Every professional musician, without exception, makes mistakes. The difference is that we learn from them, adapt, and often discover something new because of them. Mistakes don't stop music. Sometimes they help shape it.
The same is true of improvisation. Many adults believe it is reserved for gifted musicians or jazz legends. It isn't. With the right guidance, improvisation becomes an enjoyable and accessible way of expressing yourself.
There is no single "correct" way to improvise, because every musician has their own unique musical voice.
Perhaps the greatest trap of all is comparison. It's easy to compare yourself with concert pianists or musicians who have been playing for decades, but music isn't a competition. Your only comparison should be with the person you were yesterday.
So don't let that little internal voice decide what you can or cannot achieve.
Take the first step. Click "Contact Me", and let's discover where your musical journey can lead.
Children
Teenagers
Adults
