Michael Spacie began piano lessons at ten years of age. He quickly progressed through piano examination grades developing as a musician as well as passing exams. At eighteen years of age and receiving tuition from Sybil Pentith who was the music teacher at Thomas Rotherham College, he achieved the Associated Board of The Royal Schools of Music Grade 8 practical piano exam with distinction which was a then necessary prerequisite for entry to an undergraduate course in music which was subsequently taken at University. His teacher Sybil Pentith was a graduate of The Royal Academy of Music in London and was strict but endearing encouraging all that was good and embracing pianism with heart, instinct and mind whilst instilling and fostering a sense of discipline and purpose.

Studying piano, voice and organ Michael gained a Bachelor degree in music from Leeds University. After graduating with his first degree and later gaining some professional experience, he was awarded a Fellowship in Research from Thames Valley University, London College of Music in the summer of 1998 – a postgraduate standard diploma. Michael also studied further postgraduate work in music including success with both a Master and Doctoral degree as well as a number of other diplomas in various music subjects.

Michael began his music career in his late teenage years as a performing musician for concerts, wedding receptions, licensed restaurants etc. He later commenced the teaching of music and began a private music teaching practice in Rotherham which now contains both adults and young people learning the piano or singing.

Examinations are available for those who require them and are held in the tutor's home teaching room. Several examiners have visited over time; one such examiner is conductor and composer Tim Knight.

Tim Knight is a composer of International repute, his music has won major composition prizes and awards and has been performed on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Local Radio. His music is widely in print and also performed and recorded extensively both in the UK and abroad. He is leader and conductor of several eminent choirs and choral groups giving regular concerts throughout the UK and abroad in both secular concert halls and other venues such as cathedrals, often deputizing for regular cathedral choirs etc. Tim is also well known and recognized for his choral and conducting skills, seminars and tutorials upon the subject of choir promotion, survival, revitalizing and training. He is also Principal of the Yorkshire College of Music and Drama in Leeds.

Tim Knight writes: “The examination centre held at Dr Spacie's home is without doubt one of the most efficient and well prepared that I have come across; everything from pre-visit schedules and students' selections right through to the actual exams is dealt with in a superbly professional manner which makes my work as an examiner so much easier and pleasant.

The exam sessions held at Dr Spacie's which I have attended are always interesting in the widely diverse set of candidates, both in terms of age groups and also musical styles. Exam sessions go smoothly because of the excellent preparation of timetable and materials that an examiner needs. The candidates are always well prepared and at the usual high standards that I have come to expect from Dr Spacie, reflected in the excellent results they receive.

All the pupils that I have examined have been well prepared with their piano pieces or vocal songs and other examination sections, and moreover with an obvious sense of musicianship; so many students these days appear prepared only in the actual notes that they play or sing, many times in a faultlessly accurate but somewhat mechanical way. Dr Spacie's pupils have that additional something (indefinable but immediately noticeable) that is revealed in stylistically and musically aware performances; this is an obvious reflection of the way they have been taught, and that in turn shows me that their teacher must have not only a great depth of knowledge of the subject area but also the ability to impart that to a wide range of age groups.”

Tim Knight (Examiner)