Dury has a wide-ranging experience of teaching music. He learnt the cello
through LEA Music Service lessons as a child, and has experience of teaching
in both the state and private sectors:
Private teaching practice in Birmingham
Supply teaching for Dudley Performing Arts Service
Cello tuition, masterclasses, and music theory lessons at Camp Encore-Coda, a residential Summer Music Camp for children in Maine, U.S.A.
Over 8 years teaching for South Gloucestershire Music Service
Private teaching practice in Cardiff
Cello teacher at St Mary's School, Calne
Cello teacher at Tockington Manor School, Bristol
Dury teaches the cello and double bass to children and adults of all ages and abilities. His work for South Gloucestershire Music Service has seen him teaching children from 7 to 19, including children with special educational needs. He regularly prepares students for Associated Board Music Exams and Diplomas, as well as competition performances and GCSE and A-Level Music requirements.
As a local authority teacher, he regularly receives continuing professional
development (CPD), which allows him to be constantly up to date with the
requirements of all stages of the national curriculum. He was also an early
adoptor of the 'Wider Opportunities' teaching programme of whole-class string
teaching, which includes adapting teaching methods to the different types of
learner, effective communication, and compositional and improvisational skills
key to the Keystage 1 and 2 requirements.
Dury believes the emphasis should be placed on enjoying and exploring musical creativity in lessons at all levels. This can range from pupils composing their own works to simply exploring different musical directions in pieces - He always encourage and guide pupils to make their own musical decisions as to how they would like to perform works, and encourage all kinds of music making in different genres. Dury also believe pupils should learn an effective approach to practice from an early age, including scales and techniques to improve and practice efficiently.
Dury always likes to create a learning path for students on an individual basis, rather than a 'one size fits all' approach. Setting short and long-term goals is always important to students' progression. This may take the form of Associated Board exams, festival performances, or simply performing to friends and family. The emphasis is always on fun - afterall, musicians 'play' their instruments!