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Matt is a retired officer in the Royal Navy and is currently a senior director in the medical device and healthcare sector.
I had the chance to interview Matt Sawtell about his remarkable musical journey. From his early days of piano lessons to his current success as a performer, Matt shares his experience with us and sheds light on his transformation. Join us as we dive into the world of music with Matt Sawtell.
I have dedicated most of my career to working for major American corporate companies, primarily in the medical device and healthcare sector. I currently hold the position of senior director, overseeing operations in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
My musical journey began at a young age when I was introduced to piano lessons at the age of 6. However, I gave it up at 9 due to my dissatisfaction with the classical focus and grade pieces.
Later, at 18, during my time in the Royal Navy, I learned to play the guitar.
Nonetheless, my heart always belonged to the piano. Before the pandemic, I would still dabble some. Mostly I was playing what I remembered from my childhood.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I made the decision to reignite my passion for piano. I was determined to be good enough to jam on a public piano,at least with one song.
And then I found Stephen’s course.
It was an incredible experience that surpassed my expectations. I never thought I would enjoy playing scales as much as I did.
The simplicity and effectiveness of the “finger gym” exercises he has just amazed me, and the 3-5 minute video segments provided a concise and engaging learning experience. I had doubts about online learning, but Ridley Academy’s approach made it enjoyable and effective.
Yes, I have. I attempted to learn languages through online platforms, specifically Rosetta Stone, but it was a total failure.
I quickly lost interest after a couple of sessions and couldn’t find the motivation to continue.
It was so bad that I never really thought I would be any good with online learning at all.
Ridley Academy’s method was refreshingly different.
The video segments were concise and to the point, lasting only a few minutes, which made them more engaging.
Unlike my previous attempts at online learning, Ridley Academy never felt monotonous or disconnected. It was a pleasant surprise for me.
Absolutely! First and foremost, Stephen’s enthusiasm is infectious. It makes you want to keep coming back for more.
Additionally, the finger gym exercises were incredible and continue to be a part of my daily routine. And, of course, the emphasis on scales and their importance was eye-opening.
It has been a transformative journey for me. I have achieved all the goals I set for myself in piano playing.
Initially, my aim was to have enough confidence to play one song on a public piano before turning 50, but with Stephen’s encouragement, I even started singing.
I have played on many public pianos, performed my first live gig, and even written a couple of songs. It’s something I never thought I would achieve.
Absolutely! My original intention was solely to play for myself, but as I progressed, I started jamming with friends and playing publicly.
I ended up creating a website, and then a local wine bar kept asking me to do a gig. I said no over and over before finally agreeing in February. And it was incredible.
It has had a tremendous impact on my life. I feel like I’ve unlocked a hidden talent within myself. Music allows me to express my emotions more freely, and through sharing it with others, I have inspired many to start playing or resume their musical journeys. It has been an incredible and unexpected adventure.
I’ve already encountered such situations, where people had various reasons for not pursuing music, such as lack of time or feeling too old. In those instances, I shared my own experience and told them that with Ridley Academy, it only takes 10-20 minutes per day. The feeling you get from playing music is incredible, and it’s never too late to start.
I would like to highlight how Stephen and Ridley Academy have made the piano accessible to all. Many people find the piano intimidating, and even music shops can feel overwhelming. Stephen’s approach demystifies the instrument and removes the stuffy, snobbish stigma associated with it. He makes it modern, cool, and most importantly, fun.
You can find him on Instagram Here,
or check out his Facebook here.
The Ridley Academy has thousands of successful students from all over the world.
