Luisa Scarpa

I am a music teacher and professional musician with approximately 20 years of teaching experience across 6 countries seeking a new adventure to fulfill my calling as a music teacher, and world explorer and to further experience new cultures and destinations. 

My specialty is vocals however I also teach piano, and guitar and further play the bass guitar and drums.  I can read music and have taught basic music theory as well as lead choirs, singing groups and junior and senior bands. I have taken several music examinations specifically in contemporary vocals (grade 8) and classical piano (grade 5 in progress).  I would like to further my professional musical development by continuing to take more exams.

I am currently the Junior Primary Music teacher at DPHS (Durban Preparatory High School – South Africa), one of the top schools in the country, whereby I teach Grade R to Grade 3, Grade 3 choir master and instruct one-on-one private vocal, piano and guitar lessons after school. Prior to this position, I was the vocal specialist at the biggest music school in the UAE, Music Zone, where my position was as the vocal specialist but further teaching piano and guitar.  Most of my lessons were one on one lessons, or in pairs and I was also the choirmaster.  I have further worked as a professional musician for 25 years, performing in countless bands for 5-star hotels, private villa functions and weddings.  I have worked both as a class music teacher in mainstream international and private schools and as well a specialist music instructor at various music academies internationally.

Music however is not my only passion; I am in awe of nature, the ocean specifically, whereby I spend most of my free time surfing, snorkeling, free diving, and swimming. and have a passion for gardening and sustainability.  In previous educational roles, I have volunteered to manage and facilitate environmental policies and practices, particularly, recycling, up-cycling, and gardening, along with extensive charity work including professional musical performances and recordings, and food, clothing, and unwanted items for donations. I have further financially sponsored a preschool called Sitokozile in the township of ZwaMashu (Durban) and honestly try to help the homeless and less fortunate wherever possible. Growing up in South Africa has taught me to be a compassionate individual with immense gratitude for all my blessings.  This has greatly influenced my way of life, endeavouring to always live simply, sustainably, and conservatively from a consumer's point of view. One of my core philosophies besides living simply and sustainably is to treat all living creatures with kindness. I am a motivated person with high energy levels, and I believe my most prevalent strength is my ability to connect with my students.   I am proud to be a part of something that positively influences society. In my opinion, teaching is a lifestyle and not a job, and I take this responsibility very seriously.

I currently live in South Africa and have just completed a BA (HONS) in Music and Sound with the University of West London and wish to relocate abroad again.

I have immigrated 8 times in the last 20 years and would welcome to opportunity to experience a new culture and fulfilling my dream of experiencing the splendorous destinations the world has to offer. I love changing and developing with a challenge and would welcome an opportunity to work abroad again.

For the last 20 years, I have been living and teaching in various countries across the globe specializing as a private music instructor, class music teacher and professional musician.  I am a fully qualified teacher, with an associate education degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal South Africa (1999), diploma in music teaching awarded by RSL Awards, UK, 2017 and a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Music and Sound from the University of West London, UK (2023).  Most of the schools and music academies I have worked at have been international schools whereby all teaching instruction is delivered in English. I have further worked as a private tutor in private residences, music academies, private and government schools.

Last year, I decided to take on a lifelong dream of completing a BA (honours) degree in Music with the Academy of Music and Sound, through the University of West London,  and last week I received my results and transcripts whereby I achieved a First Class Honours pass. The honours degree was a contemporary degree in music and sound, covering 4 mandatory and 1 optional modules.  As a musician who specializes in performance, my degree instrument was vocals and performance.  I achieved 4 distinctions and one merit for this course and cannot be more thrilled or grateful for this opportunity.  This degree has offered me the opportunity to learn music production and recording using a digital audio workstations, music composition and production, graphic design of promotional materials and website, and various in-depth academic papers which has deepened my understanding and knowledge of music, sound, music for media and performance.  All of these new skills I have acquired have improved my skills not only as a musician but as a music teacher, especially from a technological point of view.  Blending my classical knowledge, passion and skill with that of contemporary knowledge and skill, I do believe I have developed a holistic and all round education of music in and outside of the classroom.