Accompaniment & Collaborative Work

I find collaborative work one of the most joyful and rewarding aspects of my practice. I work with professionals and students of all levels and bring to each rehearsal and performance my 30 years of professional experience and the excellent training in accompaniment and chamber playing that I received during my time as a student and professional accompanist at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. I rehearse in my studio where I am also happy to play for recorded auditions and exams.

I find working with other professionals exciting and stimulating, and feel very lucky to be able to discover new and broadened understandings of works by sharing the rehearsal and performance experience. I also love working with students and am completely non-judgemental. We are all at different stages of our musical journey and all deserve respect. I enjoy putting students at ease and it is a privilege to watch them grow in their musical authority and understanding.

  • “She is my first choice for students taking exams or doing recitals.”

    Helen Groves - professional soloist, ensemble singer and teacher

  • "Marion has been accompanying my students at individual lessons and coachings, at masterclasses and in recital for over three years.  Along with her expert skills as a pianist and musician, Marion brings a deep kindness and sensitivity to her work with singers that has made her beloved by my students. Her sense of humour enlivens every rehearsal and class as do her insights into the dynamic relationship between singer and pianist.  It’s a great pleasure to work with her."

    Katharina Megli

    Professional mezzo soprano, Singing teacher and performance coach

  • "Marion is a delight to work with. She has an easy rapport, a great ear and is an instinctive accompanist. She is my first choice for students taking exams or doing recitals. While we have yet to do so, as a professional singer, I look forward to collaborating in a recital together."

    Helen Groves

    Professional soloist, Ensemble Singer and Teacher

  • “I first worked with Marion when I was senior vocal coach for Cambridge Youth Opera, and she was repetiteur for the rehearsals. I felt very supported by Marion, not to mention how the singers felt! It is real team work with Marion. I’ve subsequently used Marion’s skills as an accompanist for my students in pupil concerts. Marion is sensitive to the needs of the people she is accompanying, and is very aware of how singers can feel thrown when working with a pianist for the first time. She is great at working with young people, and is a hugely supportive mentor for someone learning how that partnership between performer/accompanist works for the first time. Apart from her skills of supporting others, Marion is a very sensitive pianist – a beautiful player. All this, AND she’s a fun and very kind person!”

    Julia Caddick

    Singing teacher, Coach

  • “Working with Marion is such a wonderful experience. She creates an atmosphere of safety in which two musicians can explore the music without reproach and delivers beautiful musicality in any repertoire. It is truly such a treat to make music with this warm, knowledgeable, and passionate musician. I can't wait for our next collaboration.”

    Meghan Goguen

    Mezzo-soprano

  • “Marion has been a regular contributor to the lunchtime concerts  at St Andrew's Church, Chesterton, Cambridge, for a number of years. Her superb piano playing is widely appreciated and it is a pleasure to work with her.”

    John Reynolds

    Concert organiser, St Andrew's Chesterton