Information About Alex - Stockport teacher -

(4 reviews)

Personal Description:

I'm Alex! A conductor, violist and harpsichordist living and working in and around Manchester. I studied at the University of Manchester for the MusB and Conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music for the MMus. I have a wealth of experience in working with both amateur and professional ensembles, including New Music Ensemble 'Psappha' & the BBC Philharmonic. I'm a violist with the Manchester based String Quartet 'The Vine Quartet' and regularly perform as a freelance instrumentalist.

I don't drive, but I'd be happy to travel to you! This depends on convenience and travel time etc. If the travel takes me outside of Manchester, I may will ask that students contribute a small amount to my travel expenses.

Tutoring Experience:

I currently teach violin & viola privately in the North of Manchester and work regularly with Nottingham Youth Orchestra conducting, rehearsing and taking viola and full strings sectionals. I have taught conducting to students at the RNCM looking to supplement their principle study. I work with children & teenagers (RNCM Young Company, Nottingham Youth Orchestra, Derbyshire Youth Ensembles), young adults (University and Conservatoire Orchestras) and adults (Amaretti Chamber Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic).

Tutoring Approach:

Viola/Violin:
I have a very flexible approach. It's all about what works for you of course! My general approach is to focus on three key areas: technique, how to practise effectively and developing musicality. Not all students want to be soloists, so I encourage students to bring chamber music and look at approaches to performing with other people as well. I have a particular focus on developing a good stylistic approach to baroque and classical music. I am very happy to prepare students for ABRSM & Trinity exams and accompany students for the earlier grades on the piano (subject to additional fees for a rehearsal and the exam). I bring in some of my best students to play with the orchestras I conduct to give them an opportunity to experience and develop their playing with a large group of other players at a high level.

Theory:
I begin by teaching the fundamentals of theory. I use the common textbooks on theory including Butterworth's 'Harmony in Practise' and the ABRSM Handbooks to Music Theory. Simultaneously, I help students gain some/more keyboard confidence and frequently encourage students to bring their instruments to associate the written notation with sound. I aim to develop students' inner ear as comprehensively as possible. I provide listening lists, score study and practise exercises (through past papers and custom made exercises). I also provide an introduction to orchestral scores if you'd like, how to read several staves and some rudimentary analysis techniques. I aim to teach the skills, not only the means of being able to succeed in the examination. I teach ABRSM Theory.