Paul

I have spent my life devoting my time to music, and I`m happy to share my knowledge with you in our trial lesson! We can discuss the specifics of your goals in our trial lesson but here`s a broad overview of my pedagogical approach:

The foremost task for any student of mine is the training of the ears. I strongly encourage my students to get into the habit of listening to a variety of performances and various different styles of music. I believe that one of the best ways to improve as a musician is to listen and seek inspiration from all types of music so that one can bring this to the table of whatever they are working on. This will help the student discover their own particular taste and personal style.

I also guide a student to develop their internal metronome/rhythm/feel. This can be improved occasionally with the help of a metronome, however I encourage counting out-loud when practising instead, because one doesn`t wish to become reliant on the metronome.

Notation comes next - learning to read classical music notation is a critical skill for classical musicians. Playing notes off a stave should eventually be as natural as reading the words off a page. This fluency is achieved by regularly sight reading in ways that i demonstrate and is only possible when one has a good ear and a sturdy internal rhythm.

From this base, I go on to help the student develop the mechanics of their technique - to achieve complete control over their fingers and total confidence in the physical landscape of the viola/violin. The mechanics include finger independence, dexterity and the ability to control the quality and depth of any given tone/note. This ability unlocks the door to a world of possibilities - control over your sound means control over what the music means. We aren`t just playing notes - we`re telling a story. Always. Technique at its core is the ability to control distribution of weight. However, musicality is a technique in its own right.

These are just a few aspects of music-making that I cover with my students. There`s also memorisation, repertoire, improvisation, analytical theory, motivation, mindset...

Finally, I`m more than happy to help students wishing to do their grade examinations (ABRSM or Trinity). Setting goals is a wonderful way to improve!

Willing to travel: 5 miles

Experience: Here are some of my credentials:

- Grade 8 Violin at the age of 13 with distinction.
- Grade 8 Viola at the age of 15 with Distinction.
- ARSM Associate of the Royal Schools of Music (Performance Diploma with distinction - DipARSM) at the age of 16.
- Currently a student at the Royal College of Music being generously supported by the Kathleen Trust.
- Over a decade of performance experience.
- Performed as a soloist in Carnegie Hall, New York with the New York Concerti Sinfonietta Orchestra at the age of 17.
- Orchestral, solo and chamber music experience working alongside the Philadelphia Orchestra aged 17.
- Nearly 3 years of private teaching experience.

DBS Check: Yes