Episode Details

Lydia Tomita’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and community. From her early days as a pianist in northern England to becoming the founder of a thriving teaching network in the Cotswolds, Lydia has combined her love of music with an entrepreneurial spirit. In this episode, she shares how she built a multi-teacher studio, balances gigs with teaching, and inspires students of all ages to embrace piano learning at every stage of life.

1. Lydia shared how her musical journey began in a musically rich home with supportive parents.
2. She described how playing for fun as a child built her strong sight-reading skills.
3. How moving to the Cotswolds reignited her teaching career and led to new opportunities.
4. How she built her studio gradually and expanding into multiple schools.
5. Managing a team of five teachers across six schools with more than 100 pupils.
6. The benefits and challenges of 20-minute lessons in UK schools.
7. Lydia discussed the transition from solo teacher to studio owner, balancing admin with teaching.
8. How Instagram and her website bring steady inquiries for wedding and event gigs.
9. How her gig playing began with word-of-mouth and has grown into regular weddings and choir accompaniment.
10. She encouraged teachers to step outside their comfort zones and say yes to opportunities.
11. Technology she used like iPads with ForScore and apps like Note Rush to enhance teaching.

Links Mentioned

1. Lydia's website: CotswoldPianist.com
2. Lydia's Instagram: @cotswoldpianist and @cotswoldpianostudio
3. Lydia's Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@cotswoldpianist
4. TopCast 429: Piano Method Navigator with Anna Beth Rucker

Today’s Guest

Lydia Tomita is a pianist, teacher and piano studio owner based in the beautiful Cotswolds, UK. Lydia graduated from Royal Holloway, University of London with a BMus, where she specialised in piano performance. In the 20 plus years since then she has had a portfolio career consisting of a mixture of teaching, performing and accompanying. Since moving to The Cotswolds 11 years ago Lydia has become more and more in demand as a teacher. As a result she now runs a team of 5 teachers, teaching over 100 pupils across the Cotswolds, with more to come! She also loves teaching adults and is passiona