Information About Lewis - Laindon teacher -

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Personal Description:

Born in Suffolk, Lewis Braham began playing the bass at the age of fifteen.

He is a graduate from the Royal College of Music in London and studied with Tony Hougham, the Principal Double Bass of the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

Lewis has performed in concerts with the English National Ballet Philharmonic, London Concert Orchestra, Suffolk Philharmonic Orchestra, Wilderness Orchestra, Kaleidoscope Orchestra, Aurelian Symphony Orchestra, Backing Musician on the X Factor, Commonwealth Cantata and the London International Chamber Orchestra.

He has also performed in many prestigious venues across London and the UK including the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, London Coliseum, Barbican Centre, Symphony Hall Birmingham, Cadogan Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Latitude Festival, Wilderness Festival, Stonefree Festival at the 02 Arena Maida Vale Studios, Fountain Studios Wembley, Snape Maltings and St Paul's Cathedral.

Lewis is an experienced session player, he has played in recording sessions at Abbey Road Studios, Angel Studios and Metropolis Studios. He has recorded for the ABRSM, Rick Wakeman, Joanna Forest and Omar Pendrini. Whilst studying he was also in demand within the Royal College of Music, recording new works by its student composers.

He has worked with many internationally renowned conductors and musicians such as Bernard Haitink, Vladimir Jurowski, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Sir Roger Norrington, Edward Gardner, Nicola Benedetti, Jennifer Pike, Emma Johnson, Michael Collins, Milos Karadaglic, Deep Purple, Rick Wakeman, Laura Mvula, Joanna Forest, Omar Pendrini, Liane Carroll and Will Young. Lewis has also performed in masterclasses with distinguished double bassists Joel Quarrinton, Enrico Fagone, Gabriele Ragghianti, Dan Styffe, Paul Ellison and Donovan Stokes.

Lewis was selected to record the Double Bass backing tracks for the ABRSM’s new Initial Double Bass Exam Pack for 2020 – 2023 which was is designed to help beginners measure their progress and celebrate their achievements.

In 2015 Lewis premiered 'Leaving St Kilda' a piece composed for him by renowned bassist David Heyes. Leaving St Kilda depicts the last few days and the evacuation of the island St. Kilda in the 1930's after centuries of inhabitation.

As well as performing Lewis holds many teaching posts around the country including; Visiting Teacher of Double Bass at the Stephen Perse Foundation in Cambridge, Visiting Teacher of Double Bass at St John’s College School in Cambridge, Visiting Teacher of Double Bass at Brentwood Senior and Prep Schools, Double Bass Tutor for Saffron Centre for Young Musicians, Instrumental Teacher for Thurrock Music Services and he also teaches privately.

As well as teaching, Lewis tutors on orchestral courses including the NLMS Music Summer School and the Musicale Summer Course in Cambridge where he co-directed the main orchestra and conducted the string orchestra in 2018.

Lewis is a budding conductor, having studied under Peter Stark and Natalia Luis-Bassa. He conducts various orchestras and string orchestras including Thurrock Youth Orchestra, Thurrock Youth Training Orchestra, Thurrock Beginner Strings, SCYM Intermediate Strings and SCYM Junior Strings.

Tutoring Experience:

Visiting Teacher of Double Bass – Stephen Perse Foundation, Cambridge
Visiting Teacher of Double Bass – St Johns College School, Cambridge
Visiting Teacher of Double Bass – Brentwood Prep and Senior Schools
Double Bass Tutor – Saffron Centre for Young Musicians
Instrumental Teacher for Thurrock Music Services

Tutoring Approach:

I teach from beginner to advanced whether just playing for fun or for graded exams/diplomas. I use technique books to ensure all of my students acquire the highest technique possible. I cover the whole Double Bass repertoire (solo, chamber and orchestral) covering all aspects of playing to develop a strong secure player.