Mircea-Viorel

Mitch (Mircea Belei) is a Romanian-born British violist based in London, UK and is a keen orchestra and chamber music player. He has performed in venues with a great tradition such as Musikverein Vienna, Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Barbican Concert Hall, Cadogan Hall, etc. He has worked with many conductors including Vladimir Ashkenazy, Andres Orozco-Estrada, Stefan Vladar, Olaris Elts, Rafael Payare, John Axelrod, Sascha Goetzel, Leif Segerstam, Milan Horvat and soloists like Mstislav Rostropovich, Maxim Vengerov, Nigel Kennedy, Mihaela Ursuleasa, Julian Rachlin, Sharon Kam, Nicola Benedetti, Heinrich Schiff, to mention just a few.
He very often performs as guest principal but also tutti viola, most notably London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra,London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Concert Orchestra, London Metropolitan Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, RTE National Symphony Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, Ulster Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Porto Symphony Orchestra, Transylvania Philharmonic Orchestra, International Orchestra of Styria, Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra, Graz Symphony Orchestra, Madeira Classical Orchestra, Tiroler Symphonieorchester Innsbruck and the list goes on.

In addition to his orchestral projects, he is a devoted performer of chamber music and has given concerts with various chamber groups in Europe and Asia. He took part in numerous International Music Festivals in France, Austria, Romania, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Hungary, China and Hong Kong. He was a member of the Modulus quartet between 2015-2022. They have been touring the UK in 2017 and Transylvania in 2019 and have been broadcasted on different national and international radio and TV stations, including BBC Radio 3 - In Tune.
Mitch Belei studied viola at the "S. Toduta Music College" in Cluj, Romania with Prof. Marinela Nan, at the "Gh. Dima Music Academy" in Cluj, Romania with Prof.Marius Suarasan - a member of The Transylvanian Quartet, and the "University of Music and Performing Arts Graz", Austria with Prof. Matthias Maurer - former first principal viola of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam. He also holds a degree in music production from the London School of Sound.
Belei is part of countless movies as a session player and an extra, worth mentioning Wonder Woman,Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, Judy, Dumbo 2019, The Death of Stalin, Bohemian Rhapsody, The Crown, Enola Holmes 2, The Equalizer 3.
He was also involved in numerous recordings and performed alongside pop, electronic, rock and jazz musicians, some of whom are very well known - Melody Gardot, Public Service Broadcasting, Stewart Copeland, Jonny Greenwood and Royce Wood Junior.
Belei's passions include books, songwriting, music production, video/sound editing, martial arts, reiki, chess and photography.

Tutoring Experience

I teach viola for over 20 years.

Tutoring Approach

Mitch is a calm and confident teacher and loves active listening. Good questions are key in your technical development and abilities. Practice is a must, but don't worry! Mitch can teach you how to practice efficiently, in a short time.