Enjoy Violin and Piano Tuition

Violin Training

My own training involves lessons with some of the finest, most respected international violinists. My early, pre-conservatoire training was with Mr Hugh Maguire : Professor at the Royal Academy of Music, Leader of the Allegri srting Quartet, Melos Ensemble, BBC Symphony and London Symphony Orchestras.

I attended the Royal College of Music where I studied with Mr Raymond Cohen; Concert soloist, winner of the inaugural Carl Flesch International Violin Competition, leader of the Cohen Trio, Royal Philharmonic orchestra, Professor Royal College of Music. Described as ’ the most brilliantly gifted young violinist I have heard for many a day" by the famous Sir John barbarolli, he also ‘famously performed three concertos in a single evening, a feat said to have been equalled only by Yehudi Menuhin’ To hear Raymond Cohen click here

Following my degree attainment ( ARCM, Dip RCM) I continued my post-graduate training with:

• Rodney Friend; Concert Soloist, Leader of the new York Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, London symphony, BBC Symphony Orchestras. Professor ; Royal College of Music. Described as ‘a world-class virtuoso’ by the New York Times To hear Rodney Friend, click here
• Erich Gruenberg: Concert soloist, winner of the Carl Flesch International Violin Competition. Leader of the Royal Philharmonic, London Philharmonic orchestras. Chair of the jury for the Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition and the Fritz Kreisler Competition. Professor: Royal Academy of Music. To hear Erich Gruenberg, click here
• Emmanuel Hurwitz: Chamber soloist: leader of the Hurwitz, Aeolian String Quartets, Melos Ensemble, English Chamber Orchestra. Professor: Royal Academy of Music. To hear Emmanuel Hurwitz click here

I continued to develop my playing and potential with lessons from Emanuel Hurwitz and Tessa Khambatta throughout a successful playing career. In 1998 I decided to concentrate and specialise in teaching to bring my training with some of the foremost international violinists to future young violinists.

Piano Training

I studied piano at the Royal College of Music under Hubert Dawkes.

I have extensive experience of piano teaching and performing having started teaching privately from the age of 14. I have worked as a piano accompanist since the age of 15, playing piano for local ballet schools, dance academies, adult education dance classes and accompanying dance and music students for performances and exams. I continued my piano accompaniment career during and beyond my college years, accompanying other students as well as performing in chamber groups and solo playing in London Hotels. I taught the piano in various private schools (Seaton House school, Surrey, New Beacon School, Sevenoaks) from the age of 18, while at the Royal College of Music.

Teaching Experience

I started teaching privately from age 15, during my training with Hugh Maguire.

• 1976-80 Private teaching
• 1979 - 80 Teaching at private schools (part-time): Seaton House School, Surrey; Caterham School, Surrey
• 1980 - 84 Teaching at private schools (part-time) - ages 4-18 while attending Royal College of Music: Caterham School, Surrey; Seaton House School, Surrey; New Beacon School, Sevenoaks, Kent
• 1984 -7 Teaching at private schools (part-time) while continuing post-graduate training: New Beacon School, Sevenoaks, Kent; St Mary’s hall, Brighton; Francis Holland School, London
• In 1987 I terminated my teaching due to pressure of work and time/travel constraints due to my professional playing in London and regional orchestral playing
• 1995 I returned to teaching part-time, combined with professional playing in London orchestras
• 1999 - present I made the decision to wind up my orchestral career and specialise in teaching. I have also trained in psychotherapy and therefore also bring the ‘psychology’ of learning and performing to my teaching