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cotswoldpianist

🎹 Pianist based in the beautiful Cotswolds, UK. Available for weddings, events and performances in the local area. Founder of @cotswoldpianostudio ❤️

This is your invitation to stop scrolling for one This is your invitation to stop scrolling for one minute and enjoy some English country gardens!

It’s currently @burfordfestival and this weekend they have open gardens. This means you can go and have a nosy in lots of different gardens! I had a great time with my mum wandering, smelling sweet peas and drinking tea. (As well as chatting to everyone she knows!)

It was very much needed! Now back to end of term, planning three recitals and prepping for the next weddings/summer holidays etc!
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#burfordfestival #motherdaughterday #burfordopengardens
ABOUT ME! I thought it was time I introduced myse ABOUT ME!

I thought it was time I introduced myself properly!

As a musician I wear many hats. Here are some of them...

1) Running @cotswoldpianostudio 

2) Teaching my 60ish pupils!

3) Building community with and for other piano teachers. (Featuring @ebpianochelt and @emmab_piano )

4) Performing - pictured is my 'Monday Morning Music' concert.

5) Playing for weddings. This was the first sunny day of the year @merriscourt.

6) I'm a regular accompanist for the Wychwood Singers, as well as dropping in on other local choirs from time to time .

7) I love doing fun projects with @lizziesoden. Here we are preparing for our summer kid's choir workshop!

8) I've now done 3 years of my piano advent calendar and it remains super popular. Shall I do it again this year?!

9) I'm proud to work with 
@thefearlessartistmastermind - a team of musicians from all over the world led by @thisismichellelynne and @deannapetreviola. I would struggle to do any of this without their support and training!

You'll also find me being a mum to my two wonderful children, exploring the beautiful countryside around me, and drinking copious cups of tea!

Would you like to know anything else about me? Follow for more music, beautiful countryside, and adventures as a multi-faceted musician!
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#cotswoldpianist #aboutme #befearless
I know it’s been ages since Raye’s album came out, I know it’s been ages since Raye’s album came out, but I STILL haven’t recovered! What an absolute masterpiece - and still just love love love this song. Have you listened to the album yet? @thefearlessartistmastermind 😀

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#raye #whereismyhusband
It’s been such a beautiful weekend. I paused bef It’s been such a beautiful weekend. 

I paused before putting this together because it looks really smug! But the last 4 years have been a time of rebuilding and healing and I just feel so grateful to be able to experience all this beauty, and music, with friends, family and blue skies!

If you are in the difficult season right now - just know it won’t last forever. ❤️ 
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#cotswoldpianist #bankholidayweekend☀️ #marcandrehamelin #graftonmanorhotel
Thought I’d try a different angle today - this is Thought I’d try a different angle today - this is my bookshelf’s POV 😆.

Continuing my journey through my daughter’s epic Summer playlist. Love Laufey and her vintage vibes and the summery bosssnova feel of this song (despite the weather outside telling me otherwise!). I’ve incorporated it into a few setlists so far as it’s such a brilliant song! ❤️❤️
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#cotswoldpianist #laufey #fromthestartlaufey
Saturday was one of those days when I just thought Saturday was one of those days when I just thought ‘what is my life?!’ 😂

I was invited to play for pre-dinner champagne drinks for a very special birthday party at @hankshouse.co (a venue which has quiiite the guest list! Check out their insta!)

It was lovely to share a space with @cotswoldschef and @ladyamy_bridalhair whilst they worked their magic.

The host was so welcoming - he gave me a tour of the house (secret hidden bar?!) and made me feel so welcome and at ease. And then he wrote me a lovely review!

I hope to be able to come back again one day soon!
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#cotswoldpianist #cotswoldeventspianist #hankshouse
Guys I went on a first date and it went well! They Guys I went on a first date and it went well! They want to see me again!

OK OK by ‘date’ I mean I played for the first time at a gorgeous gorgeous venue @mickletonhillsfarm and they invited me to be a recommended supplier! I’m genuinely thrilled as not only were the team so incredibly lovely, but having injured myself last year, being able to play somewhere and NOT have to carry a load of equipment is an absolute dream.

I hope to be back soon! ❤️
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#mickletonhillsfarm #weddingpianist #cotswoldweddingpianist
Have you ever wondered what a wedding pianist is t Have you ever wondered what a wedding pianist is thinking about as they play someone down the aisle? (No?! Well think about it now!). I thought I’d share this from a lovely wedding at @mickletonhillsfarm . It’s a really interesting set up as the piano is up on a balcony so it’s less obvious where the bridal party are. Fortunately the amazing team are a real help with super clear signals of when to start and stop! 

After this I can relax and enjoy the playing for the rest of the day.

Wedding pianists - do you relate?! 

Music: ‘Lover’ by Taylor Swift, arranged by @francescoparrinomusic 
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#cotswoldpianist #cotswoldweddingpianist #barnweddingcotswolds
I'm trying to build some newer songs into my reper I'm trying to build some newer songs into my repertoire (as my taste is a little - ahem - vintage!) and my daughter is always introducing me to incredible songs. I haven't stopped listening to this all week so thought I'd sit down and have a go at it this morning! What a tuuuuune.... I think it works perfectly as a slightly self indulgent piano solo 🤣🥰.

We're also listening to loads of Raye and Laufey at the moment so you can expect some of their songs soon!

Shall I record a full version of this? Let me know!
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#oliviadeanpianocover #soeasytofallinlove #cotswoldpianist #cotswoldweddingpianist
I’m not saying if you book me for your wedding you I’m not saying if you book me for your wedding you are guaranteed blue skies, but so far in 2026 I haven’t missed! 😍 

Yesterday was the perfect day (did you get the reference in the reel?) for my first visit to @mickletonhillsfarm . This is such a lovely, family run venue! David, Grace and the team give such care and attention to the couple, guests and suppliers alike!

I was so honoured to play for Josh and Tara’s wedding. It was a special treat to play a grand piano - from a balcony with David expertly ‘conducting’ from below so I would know when to start and stop! We had ‘Lover’ for the aisle walk and lots more Taylor Swift for the drinks reception. This was a small, intimate wedding with a really lovely atmosphere.

Then when I got home there was still time for an evening walk with my son. If this is work-life balance I am here for it! ❤️
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#cotswoldpianist #cotswoldbarnwedding #misscongeniality
Last week was my first wedding of the year and it Last week was my first wedding of the year and it was special for many reasons:

The ‘flower bros’ dancing down the aisle to ‘Where is my husband.’

The Doc Marten boots the bride was wearing under her stunning dress! (‘I don’t do heels.’)

The gorgeous spring flowers and pastel bows.

Getting to play for the 90min drinks reception OUTSIDE and actually being a bit too hot!

The joy of being back at the (award winning!) @merriscourt with the friendliest team.

Huge congratulations J and S! Thank you for having me.

If you are getting married in the Cotswolds and like the idea of live piano music, drop me a message. I’d love to chat! ❤️
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#cotswoldpianist #cotswoldweddingpianist #herecomesthesun
It’s a grey February day and I’m full of cold and It’s a grey February day and I’m full of cold and feeling sorry for myself (shameless attempt to elicit sympathy!)….

So I decided to share this lovely review from @hannahjumper3 and @sam_rsharp. Their wedding back in December was the MOST gorgeous winter wedding! I loved learning the special music requests including Harry Potter and a very moving Coldplay song for the aisle walk. It was a privilege to be part of a day filled with people who love Hannah and Sam so much they travelled from all over the world to be there for them! 

My first wedding of the year is in just over a month and I’m looking forward to being a part of many more special memories in 2026!
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#cotswoldwedding #cotswoldwinterwedding #manorhousehotel #cotswoldpianist
I’m trying a new thing - creating my own piano cov I’m trying a new thing - creating my own piano covers of music my teenage daughter has introduced me to. We listen to a LOT of Katseye in this house! I realise most of the music I play is a bit more - well - vintage - so trying to branch out a bit 

I don’t usually make my own arrangements - maybe I’ll try another one!
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#katseyepianocover #gabrielapiano #gabriela #katseye
A reel so spontaneous I didn’t even straighten my A reel so spontaneous I didn’t even straighten my skirt for it 😂.
(The irony is Pierre is the reason the piano is so dusty in the first place!)
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#ragdollofinstagram #ragdollkitten #cleaninghacks
It’s been a fairly full on three weeks here at Cot It’s been a fairly full on three weeks here at Cotswold Pianist HQ - so I decided to combine a visit to a future wedding with a visit to the nearby town of Chipping Camden this morning. I haven’t been here for years! We loved pottering around beautiful buildings and having amazing food at @bromleys_of_cotswolds !

If was my first visit to @mickletonhillsfarm this morning as well, in preparation for a wedding there in April. It’s so unusual to play at a venue that actually has a piano - I can’t wait! Did you know I offer a 20% discount for weddings where the venue has their own piano?! 

How is January treating you so far?
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#cotswoldpianist #barnwedding #barnweddingcotswolds
It's the 12th Day of Christmas so I'm just squeezi It's the 12th Day of Christmas so I'm just squeezing this THANK YOU into the final dregs of the festive season! (For those of you who are still going!).

I'm so grateful to all the wonderful pianists who enabled the Piano Advent Calendar to happen in 2025 (and to lovely neighbour Jasmine for the idea!)

I loved sharing so many of my favourite pianists and friends with each other and each one was really special! I really love making music as a community and as pianists that can be a little harder to do, so this felt really lovely.

Two questions -
1) Shall we do it again in 2026?
2) What would you like to see for the other 11 months of the year?! (Haven't been able to bring myself to open the computer since 24th December so the creative juices are low. Let me know what brings you here and what you'd love to see more of..)

Thanks again to all these lovely people - go and follow them! (Or those with public accounts anyway)
@jamesroscoepiano 
@rachelehring 
@emmab_piano 
@gemfifieldmusic 
@creative_piano_pedagogy 
@ruthalberici
@hankinsonmusic 
@keithportersnell 
@dichevcurr 
@nimblefingerspiano
@suziebpiano 
@lydiakitchener 
@friendly_musician 
@jaclynmrozek_piano 
@caithness_violinist 
Becca from @cotswoldpianostudio 
@pianowithanastasia 
@robbierobertsweddingpianist 
@pianohedgehog 
@kentpianist 
@ellen_plays_piano 

OH - and my pain is still gone (See December 24th for reference), and my new piano arrives on 17th Jan! Can't wait to share it with you.

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!!
I just HAD to share some footage from my final wed I just HAD to share some footage from my final wedding of the year.

This is @themanorhousehotelcastlecombe where Hannah, Sam, and friends and family from various countries gathered for an absolutely gorgeous wedding celebration.

The bride and groom are huge Harry Potter fans (amongst other shared interests) and I loved learning 'Fawkes the Phoenix' and 'Leaving Hogwarts' for their ceremony, along with some beautiful Coldplay for the entrance of the wedding party and bride.

The piano and equipment were then moved down a winding stone staircase (Hogwarts eat your heart out) and across the hotel for the drinks reception, where I enjoyed playing lots of my favourite music with some festive treats sprinkled in. It was lovely to chat to some of the guests as well!

When I got home we watched the final Harry Potter film - my children and I have watched one every Saturday since the end of October - so this was the perfect timing!

What a beautiful end to the year - and I'm so grateful to have been a part of this lovely day! (AND to finally visit Castle Combe!). Wishing Hannah and Sam a wonderful future together. ❤❤ 
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#cotswoldwedding #cotswoldweddingpianist #cotswoldpianist #castlecombe #manorhousecastlecombe
Happy Christmas Eve! I can't thank enough all th Happy Christmas Eve! 

I can't thank enough all the wonderful pianists who have contributed to the advent calendar this year. It's been such a joy watching every day. 

For today - I wanted to share a piece of reflective music and a little story. 

I wasn't planning on recording anything new this year. As many of you know, I didn't do a full advent calendar myself because of health issues I've been having. This started in July 2024 with pins and needles in my fingers, pain in my wrist and forearms etc. This suddenly became more severe in March leading to multiple appointments and the consensus being it was a slipped disc in my neck. The worst triggers were playing the piano, and driving. At it's worst the pain meant that I couldn't sit still, squirming constantly. Work was cancelled, teaching cut back.. 

It got gradually better with help, physio and drugs, but somehow in early December I triggered it all again and the pain all came rushing back.

Recently I started playing the piano in our church worship band. I knew it would be painful- especially as there is a bit of a drive as well and driving and the piano are the worst triggers. But I just felt like I should be there. Two weeks ago I drove to a rehearsal. By the time I got there the drive had flared everything up and I was in significant pain. But here's the thing - once we started playing, the pain left. We played carols and worship songs with incredibly powerful words and when I woke up the next morning I realised the pain had gone, right from the beginning of the rehearsal. I waited for it to come back - it didn't. Last Saturday I played for a wedding which involved 3 hours of driving and 3 hours of playing. No pain. It's gone. I got my Christmas miracle. (I'm being cautious and doing my physio etc)

So I decided to learn a new arrangement for today! This is me, without pain (before, during or after) playing Hark The Herald Angels Sing, arranged by Nathan Schaumann, which includes the wonderful lyrics - 

Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings.

If you read all the way to the end, drop me a little heart in the comments. 

Merry Christmas!
Piano Advent Calendar - Day 23 Good Morning! Happ Piano Advent Calendar - Day 23

Good Morning! Happy Christmas Eve Eve!

Today Ellen @ellen_plays_piano  performs this fabulous arrangement of 'Fairytale of New York', by Brent Edstrom.

I've listened to this quite a few times since she sent it to me as I really love the arrangement and the way she plays it! So atmospheric and jazzy. Ellen has a fantastic instagram page where she documents her adventures as an (excellent) amateur pianist and really shares the learning process, which I love! Do follow her! Thanks so much for sending this, Ellen.

I hope you enjoy this performance as much as I did - and I look forward to joining you on Christmas Eve!
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#pianoadventcalendar #ellenplayspiano #fairytaleofnewyork #brentedstrom
Piano Advent Calendar - Day 22 Happy Monday! Toda Piano Advent Calendar - Day 22

Happy Monday! Today the lovely Rachel Jones AKA @kentpianist  performs 'We Three Kings', arranged by @nikki.iles , from her fabulous book 'Jazz on a Winter's Night.' Apparently I take the credit for introducing Rachel to Nikki Iles! Well done me 😂. Thank you Rachel for this lovely peaceful performance. Do follow Rachel for more lovely music and to see her life as a wedding pianist!

You can probably tell I've really enjoyed experimenting with Canva graphics on these videos, but I may have gone a bit too far by putting a whacking great star in the middle of her ceiling. It goes with the song though!

Have a lovely day everyone. Today is my sister Fiona's birthday so to give her a nice present it would be nice if you could follow her instagram page @fionaormiston - for hilarious content about life as a Brit living in LA.. especially as she can't come home for Christmas this year and will be much missed!
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#PianoAdventCalendar #kentpianist #nikkiiles #wethreekings
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