Performing Experience:
Teaching is one thing, performing is another. I am a teacher who also performs – I know what it is like to be on the “other side”. I understand the dynamics of performing and know how to prepare my students for this, both technically and psychologically, whether for concerts, exams or competitions.
I can readily adapt to playing on any instrument, whether that is a new Bösendorfer grand piano or a basic digital piano.
I have studied much of the advanced solo piano repertoire, for example the late piano sonatas of Beethoven, the Chopin Sonatas, Ballades, Scherzi and Etudes, Schumann’s Symphonic Etudes, the Sonata in B minor by Liszt, Rachmaninov’s Preludes and Étude- Tableaux, Prokofiev’s 3rd Sonata, Gaspard de la nuit (Ondine, Le Gibet and Scarbo) and Alborada del Gracioso by Ravel as well as the concerti of Schumann, Grieg, Rachmaninov (2nd), Brahms (1st), Mozart (K488), Beethoven (1st and 3rd) and Gershwin’s Concerto in F – to name but a few.
I have eclectic tastes in the music that I play and have a versatility which encompasses many different genres. Although I am Classically-trained, with great admiration for the playing of Horowitz, Rubinstein, Argerich, Lipatti and John Lill, I also like Jazz, in particular the playing of Bill Evans. I am a Gershwin enthusiast, having performed the Rhapsody in Blue, the Concerto in F and the 3 Preludes. I also enjoy the music of Dave Brubeck, Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Thelonius Monk and Brad Meldhau.
I have a very varied performing experience. I have performed as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral pianist and accompanist in London (including the Royal College of Music and Morley College), Denmark, France and the South-West of England (including concerts and recitals at Wells Cathedral, Strode Theatre, the Bristol Music Club, the Octagon Theatre, Westlands Theatre and Brympton House in Yeovil and Bagborough House.) I have also participated in concerts with the Dorset Chamber Orchestra and the Mid-Somerset Orchestra as an orchestral pianist and gave a solo performance of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue in Shepton Mallet in 2006. In 2009, I gave a solo piano recital at the Music for Africa festival at Montacute House, featuring music by Liszt, Schumann, Bartok and Albeniz. I was also engaged by the BBC to advise on the filming of musical scenes for a television dramatization of “The Turn of the Screw” which was filmed in the West Country and broadcast on BBC1 television in December 2009.
In recent years, I have given concerts in Bristol, Frome and Yeovil. I am particularly proud of a recital I gave in December 2020 at St James’ Church in Yeovil. This was during the first year of the Covid pandemic when live music performances were very thin on the ground. I played music by Liszt, Chopin, Grieg, Albeniz as well as some contemporary Eastern European composers. It was rather surreal – the instrument was a modest electronic piano and the audience was socially distanced and masked – but it was well-received and I was pleased to have raised funds for the church and the local community at this challenging time .
The recital can be seen on my YouTube channel.
Accompanying
I have accompanied some of the world’s finest opera singers, including the tenors, Alexander Grove and Stuart Skelton (the latter in 2018).
I have accompanied singers at concerts and master-classes and have acted as the official accompanist for various operatic and music theatre competitions in Sherborne and Yeovil. I have also accompanied choirs and have been engaged as an ABRSM accompanist on numerous occasions. As a part-time music lecturer at Strode College, I was the official accompanist for A-level students and participated in public concerts at Strode Theatre.
Weddings and Events
I perform at weddings and corporate events, for which I play a variety of styles: everything from Classical to Pop, Jazz and Blues. I have played for many such events in London, Dorset, Somerset and also at Salisbury Cathedral. I really love playing for these occasions – particularly at weddings – as they bring me into contact with a wide variety of lovely people from all over the world and frequently enable me to perform music outside of the Classical realm. My repertoire has certainly grown over the years!
WEDDING TESTIMONIALS:
9th June 2024 – Brympton House, Odcombe
“Thank you Caroline, your piano playing was beautiful.”
Meriam and Win
27th May 2024 – Larmer Tree Gardens, Wiltshire
Caroline is a brilliant pianist and we felt so lucky to have her play for us during our wedding breakfast. We were able to choose our songs beforehand and Caroline executed them beautifully, creating a wonderful atmosphere for our guests. Aside from being talented, she was warm and friendly and we wouldn’t hesitate to book her again for another event or recommend her to anyone searching for a wedding pianist. Thank you!
Francesca and Rhodri
9th December 2023 – Orchardleigh Estate, Frome
“Thank you for your lovely playing, we really enjoyed it”. “I was really impressed with your playing – your fingers were flying all over the keys!”
Guests at the wedding of Faith & Mitch
16th September 2023 – Brympton House, Odcombe
James and I wanted to say a huge, huge thank you for playing on Saturday. We had the most perfect day. Thank you Caroline for playing beautifully at our wedding. The music was perfect. We’re very grateful.
Maisie & James
1st July 2023 – Old Oak Farm, Langport
Incredible playing, thank you so much Caroline, it was amazing.
Emily & Joe
6th June 2023 – North Cadbury Court
We would like to thank Caroline for her beautiful playing today.
Grace & James
21st January 2023 – Brympton House, Odcombe
Caroline played piano during the drinks reception at our wedding in January. We loved hearing her play and a lot of guests commented on how wonderful she sounded. Caroline was also fantastic throughout the planning process and even helped us book a piano tuner last minute. A pleasure to work with and we are so happy we booked her. Thank you, Caroline!
Alice & Rodion
3rd June 2022 – Brympton House, Odcombe
Caroline played at our wedding at Brympton House, during our guests arrival and drinks reception. She was fantastic on the day and really easy to communicate with beforehand. She set the mood perfectly and it was really special to have her there, I’d recommend her to anyone! Thanks, Caroline 🙂
Emily
2nd April 2022 – Rook Lane Chapel, Frome
Dear Caroline
Thank you so much for playing at our wedding at Rook Lane Chapel – it was beautiful and really made the day special having ‘live’ piano music.
Best wishes,
Becci & Andy
11th March 2022 – Brympton House, Odcombe
Hi Caroline,
22nd October 2021 – Brympton House, Odcombe
Through all of our wedding planning, and postponements, and re-planning, Caroline has been absolutely wonderful! She showed me patience when I couldn’t make my mind up about song choices, or asked the same question a number of times! She offered advice and support, and above all, played beautifully for guests before our wedding ceremony, and afterwards during our wedding reception. She also came to the rescue and played our wedding ceremony music on the in-house music system when no one was available to do this – I couldn’t recommend her enough!
It was everything and more ♥.
Fay and Antony
25th August 2019 – Brympton House, Odcombe
Good Evening Caroline
Thank you soooooo much for helping me with my violin solo and for doing your best in playing at our wedding. We both are soooo happy with your hard work. From the beginning of this process you’ve been great and never brought a problem for us. Please, if there is any website you would like me to give you a review let us know.
Thank you so much.
Keith And Mauro
16th August 2019 – Brympton House, Odcombe
Hi Caroline
Thank you for playing at our ceremony last week. It was perfect and we couldn’t have had a better day, despite the weather! Thank you so much – I think the entrance was perfect, well done! Jack said the build up was amazing and it was lovely listening to you whilst the guests came in.
Rachel and Jack
18th May 2019 – North Cadbury Court, Somerset
Thank you for playing at our wedding! It was such an amazing addition to our day, and made the whole room and dinner service feel warm. Amazing choice of songs, and amazing quality of music. Thank you so so much again.
Highly recommended!
Nathan and Tim
11th Nov 2017 – Brympton House, Odcombe
Dear Caroline
Thank you so much for playing at our wedding last weekend, it was everything we wanted and more! You created such a wonderfully romantic atmosphere and we cannot thank you enough for making the planning process (and the day itself) so easy.
Kind regards,
Harriet and Michael
12th Sep 2015 – The Medieval Hall, Salisbury Cathedral
Hi Caroline
Jon and I just wanted to say a massive thank you for Saturday. You did a great job and loads of guests commented on how well you played. Thank you so much.
All the best,
Chantelle and Jon
Get in touch with me
I look forward to hearing from you!
07780 596074
info@carolinewallisnewport.co.uk
(Face-to-face and online piano lessons)
Quick Links
Contact
07780 596074
info@carolinewallisnewport.co.uk