Pippa teaches according to the Suzuki approach. She is a Level Three Suzuki cello teacher and is working towards her Level Four. She is also the only Suzuki double bass teacher in the UK, having trained in Denmark with American teacher Virginia Dixon. The method was devised by Dr Shinichi Suzuki (1898-1998) who established the principle that all children are able to learn to play a musical instrument in the same way that they all learn to speak their own language. With the correct training, and parental support, children can start instrumental lessons at the age of three or four. The emphasis is on pupils listening to the musical sounds they are making, and parents creating a richly stimulating home environment in which children learn. Pippa's mother is a Suzuki piano teacher (www.jennymacmillan.co.uk), and Pippa was taught the piano and cello by the Suzuki approach.

Pippa teaches twenty cello and double bass pupils aged 4 to 15, both privately and at Notting Hill Prep School. Pupils are encouraged to keep up old repertoire, and they constantly work at musicality in old pieces. Parents attend the lessons and make notes so that they can practise with their child at home. Pupils arrive early or stay on after their lesson so that they can observe another child's lesson. As well as weekly individual lessons, once a month the cellists come for a group lesson, working on skills such as ensemble, co-operation and peer-based learning. Group lessons are also great fun, and motivating for the children.

On completion of each Suzuki book, pupils perform all the pieces from that book in a recital, often with one or more other children on the same or a different instrument. There is always a party afterwards with masses of food! Every term Pippa organises a pupil's concert, where everyone performs solos (sometimes accompanying each other) and ensembles. The party afterwards is a great chance for parents to meet and chat, and for the children to socialize.

Several of Pippa's pupils have played with the National Children's Orchestra. All of her older pupils are active musicians, participating in music festivals and courses in Cambridge and around the country. They have performed solos and in groups at the Purcell Room, Royal Festival Hall, St John's Smith Square and Birmingham's Symphony Hall.