If you’d like to watch the lecture FLOWERS made as part of his Masters at RNCM on the subject of Bobby McFerrin before then being invited to work with him at CircleSong School, then click on the link below
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ll4X8kEkiMs9leY7R2ev8kGNxb2y8Nyy/view?usp=sharing
Testimonials
Here are what some students have said about Flowers as a teacher. (They mostly know him as Sam)
Sasha Balter wrote:
“For over 4 years we have been honoured to have Sam as the piano teacher for our 3 kids. Musical education... has become a part of their life since Sam started tutoring them. Contemplating and comparing our previous experiences with our kid’s previous tutors in Israel and Spain, we conclude that Sam provides them with much deeper and wider comprehension of music on top of better technical abilities to perform to a high standard...
Under Sam’s supervision our eldest [Amit] attained grade 8 at age 14, our middle child [Noam] had grade 5 at age 12 and our youngest [Ido] got a distinction at grade 5 at age 11. We honestly hope to have Sam as our sons piano tutor for as long as circumstances allow.”
His children wrote the following:
Amit (age 16):
“Sam is an excellent teacher. When I began studying with him, I had been of a grade 5 standard on the piano. After two years, I had completed Grade 8. This was made possible by his patience and strong willingness to help me overcome any problems that I had experienced. He always gives constructive feedback and pays a lot of attention to detail. Under his tuition, my playing has significantly improved, both in the technical and musical sense. I have learnt a lot about how to interpret a piece of music, such as how to use dynamics effectively, and in which sections of a piece the use of the pedal would be suitable. It is always a pleasure to be taught by him.”
Noam (age 15) wrote:
“First and foremost, from my lessons with Sam, I have learnt plenty of beautiful pieces from which I gain a lot of positive responses which help me with my confidence, and most importantly give me joy. Since having started taking lessons with Sam, like my parents say; I have started to practice the piano much more frequently. One reason for this may be that Sam has massively increased my playing ability which enables me to play much more complex pieces. But the main reason for this is that Sam showed me the beauty of playing this instrument. Unlike, my previous teachers Sam has a unique way of conducting his lessons which I highly enjoy. The thing that I most enjoy about his lessons is that as well as sticking to his original planning of our lessons he also allows me to have an input about what I would like to do, (e.g. pieces that I may be interested in learning). Another thing that I feel Sam is really good at is engaging with me and encouraging me to succeed, rather than sitting back and letting me bang the piano for hours on end. As I mentioned, since having started lessons with Sam my piano technique and level has enormously increased. For this, there is merely one reason for which I am very thankful. Rather than saying to me: “You need to go and learn until here by next lesson”, Sam says: “ You need to go and learn until here by next lesson, and here are a couple of ways in which you could do this”.
Ido (at age 12) wrote:
“Sam has taught me lots of musical vocabulary and has shown me great techniques for playing the piano. It is a privilege to have him as a tutor because without him I wouldn't be able to succeed at music.”
Naomi Woodward is an adult piano student, who had lessons for 2 years and was preparing for her grade 7. Her 5 year old son had just started lessons too. She wrote:
“Sam has a motivating teaching style and gives clear and constructive feedback...Not having played for over 20 years... Sam has been a great coach in building confidence in my playing. I believe that my playing has improved immeasurably, as has my enjoyment of practice and Sam has opened my eyes to trying to play different styles of music. He demonstrates empathy and patience during his lessons as well as technical expertise.
For this reason, I was keen for my young son to start having lessons with Sam. My son... comes home after lessons full of enthusiasm for playing. I’m amazed that after only a handful of lessons, my son is able to play some pieces and has already developed an aptitude for basic music theory. More importantly to me, he clearly enjoys learning with Sam. I could have chosen piano teachers that live much closer to my home, particularly for my son, but I was very keen for Sam to teach him as I have every confidence in him.”
Corin Ticktin-Smith (at age 13) who attained distinction at Grade 2 wrote:
“I do lessons with Sam every week. I started piano grades four years ago and I am now on Grade 3. What I like about his teaching is that he makes it fun and easy to learn with different techniques. What makes him different is how he talks to you more personally rather than just an ordinary student playing the piano, which does boost my confidence and make it more fun. Before Sam I had a teacher who wasn't as encouraging, but Sam has helped me start passing my grades which was definitely the right idea for me.”
His sister Ella Ticktin-Smith (at age 16) who achieved a distinction at grade 5 in spring 2015, wrote:
“I’ve really enjoyed having lessons with Sam as I feel he has a natural ability to communicate a piece of music and as a consequence he has taught me how to play music with much more feeling and with greater understanding... He has also helped push my technical ability and since having had lessons with him I’m much more confident in sight-reading and learning to play new pieces. His methods of teaching scales/difficult sections in a piece of music are really effective, as unlike some other teachers, he doesn’t just encourage learning through repetition, but also by experimenting with rhythm and by isolating each individual phrase, which I found really helped me to be much more accurate when I play the piano. I now enjoy playing pieces in my spare time and listening to contemporary piano music -without such good foundations in my approach to music I doubt this would be the case”
Scarlett Shane (at age 11) wrote:
“I think Sam is an amazing teacher. Other teachers make you fit their style... whereas Sam goes around what suits me. He lets me compose and do my own music. Also, if I suggest a song he will help me learn what I am enthusiastic about. I’ve learned a lot from Sam’s lessons... He makes learning fun even though he takes piano very seriously. I’m lucky to have Sam as my teacher.”
Grace Wilmshurst, mother of Noah (age 10) and Agnes (age 8) said:
“Sam has inspired my kids to practice independently. He has instilled a sense of fun into piano lessons that has really boosted their enthusiasm. Sam’s natural musicality and friendly personality combine to make an outstanding teacher who understands my children for their individual learning requirements”