Oliver

I am a second year undergraduate cellist studying with Gillian Thoday at the Royal Northern College of Music and hail from the north east of Scotland. I was first introduced to the cello at the age of 9 and I am a former pupil of St Mary's Music School in Edinburgh where I studied with Ruth Beauchamp.

Over the years, I have enjoyed working with many orchestras including the Moray Music Schools Youth Orchestra, St Mary’s Music School Orchestra, Grampian Youth Orchestra, Hebridean Ensemble, Scottish Opera, National Youth Orchestra of Scotland (Symphony and Senior) and the RNCM Big Band and Session Orchestra. Through orchestral work, I have been fortunate enough to play at venues such as the Aberdeen International Youth Festival, Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Perth Concert Hall, Queens Hall in Edinburgh, Kings Theatre, Glasgow City Halls, Cardiff Concert Hall and played at 2016 BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.
I have also received sponsorship from the Cross Trust, Agar Trust, EMI award, Berryburn award, The Wrightsons Charitable Trust and The Schools Music Association of Great Britain.

Tutoring Experience

Over the past few years, I have helped voluntarily at music classes for younger children. This has included Music Centre Orchestras, Saturday classes at St Mary's Music School and more recently the Junior RNCM program. I have also gained a lot of experience providing one-to-one tuition for cello at a range of standards, music theory at all levels and beginners piano. I have mentored and supported pupils with their applications to the National Youth Orchestras and also for examination preparation.

Tutoring Approach

I take a highly personalised and enthusiastic approach to lessons, being patient enough to thoroughly improve technique while progressing fast enough to maintain excitement. I can produce pieces tailor-made for individual pupils to cover specific techniques, while incorporating styles/genres that interest the pupil.
I can appreciate that pupils learn at varying speeds and have different learning styles.