Roy Thompson

Roy grew up in Birmingham and attended the Junior Department of the Birmingham School of Music (now the Conservatoire) where, as an external candidate, he gained a Performer's Diploma in clarinet from Trinity College of Music, London. While studying for a degree in music at London University he became increasingly interested in piano accompaniment and went on to complete Graham Johnson's accompanist course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, where he worked extensively with the students and staff of the vocal department.

On returning to Birmingham, Roy established a teaching practice in both clarinet and piano while at the same time pursuing a career as a freelance accompanist, specialising in the flute and vocal repertoires, and as a piano duettist, performing around the UK and in Germany. He taught for many years at The Blue Coat School and King Edward's Handsworth School for Girls.

Since completing the Training Course of the Professional Association of Alexander Teachers and qualifying as a teacher of the Alexander Technique in 2004, Roy has been working alongside colleague Alison Loram as a visiting teacher of the Technique at Birmingham Conservatoire.

Roy also holds PAAT's Post-Qualification Certificate after two years of further study in the Alexander Technique. He has led workshops in the Alexander Technique for peripatetic teachers of Birmingham Music Service, string players at Ingestre Hall Residential Education Centre and pianists at the Birmingham International Piano Academy.

Roy has recently completed a period of study at the School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham and has been awarded a Certificate of Higher Education in Medical Science, receiving a Garland Science Prize during the course of his studies.