Violin Company Links to Other Useful Web Sites
Here are a selection of violin and music related web site links, which you might find useful.
If you know of any sites that we might include do please Email - info@violincompany.co.uk with the information.
Violin Teachers and Resources
Berkshire
Earley Music Centre - Earley St Peter's School, Church Road, Earley, Reading, RG6 1EY
A Saturday morning Music School - Tel: 07764 461764
www.earleymusic.co.uk
Bristol
Dr Bradon Smith, FHEA – Bristol
Fiddle (English, Scottish, Irish, Scandi). One-to-one fiddle lessons, online or in Bristol.
Bradon Smith is an experienced teacher of folk fiddle in various styles, with 1500+ hours of teaching experience, and excellent student feedback. Whether you are interested in improving your basic technique, learning about phrasing and ornamentation, or just building your repetoire, Bradon can help you take your fiddle playing further.
Email - Bradon
Web site - https://www.learntoplaythefiddle.co.uk
Mobile - 07807 049896
Buckinghamshire
Caroline Mitchell - Sherington, Milton Keynes
Teaches from home, Violin and Piano Accordion, Professionally qualified with Bmus, Mmus, L.B.C.A. and A.B.C.A. All ages and abilities taught.
Email - Caroline
Mobile - 07731 705923
Edmund Reid, ARAM,LRAM,LTCL,LRSM - Milton Keynes
44 Chapman Ave.,Milton Keynes, MK14 7PD
Leader Rehearsal Orchestra, London
Leader Opera Bauge,France
Formerly Co-Leader ENO, Co-Leader WNO
Principal Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Beginners, including Adult, up to post-graduate standard.
Telephone 01908 662975
Derbyshire
Grace Smith – Derbyshire and Online
Grace is a dedicated music educator and is in high demand as a tutor. She has taught in several settings for a wide range of ages and abilities, including for National Youth Folk Ensemble, Newcastle University, Folkworks, North East Fiddle School, Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company, Band on the Wall, Sage Gateshead, Cream Tees (Music at the Heart of Teesdale), and music hubs across the country. She also teaches clog dancing and was awarded a bursary from Instep in 2019 to develop clog education and performance opportunities. She is a graduate of a PGCEi course in Group Instrumental Teaching (2021) run by Music Masters and Birmingham City University, as well as MMus Music (2017) and BMus Folk and Traditional Music (2015) courses, both from Newcastle University. Grace also teaches on a private basis in Derbyshire and online.
1-1 Student Testimonials:
“Really enjoying my lessons with Grace – she’s an excellent teacher, and I feel like I’m learning a lot. We’ve moved on to doing lessons over Skype during lockdown, which is working well. Thanks!”
“Firstly my background – I reached Grade 5/6 back in school but hadn’t played in ~20 years and was interested in getting back into playing the violin. I started off trying to do this myself but got given lessons with Grace as a Christmas present – I can safely say that it has been the best present in years! My playing has improved steadily as we have been rebuilding and fixing old bad habits. Most importantly having learned the violin the first time around based solely on a diet of Grades (and not really enjoying it!), Grace has helped to enjoy the violin again as well as open my eyes (and ears) to the world of folk music. Lessons are always well prepared and informative; Grace is supportive, patient and able to adapt quickly using on her experience. Highly recommended”
Email - Grace
Web site - https://www.gracesmithmusic.co.uk
Rachel Page - Heanor, Derbyshire
Member of the Junction 28 Orchestra, and numerous other groups.
Rachel teaches Violin locally to Heanor and is particularly good with beginners.
Email - Rachel - Mobile - 077-654-22046
Devon
Becki Driscoll – North Devon
Becki Driscoll is a fiddle player and educator based in North Devon. She teaches fiddle and leads educational music projects and workshops, ranging from family music workshops to mixed-instrument folk ensembles. Becki is well known as a performer for her celebrated musical partnership with Nick Wyke and together they lead the prestigious English Fiddle Weekend at Halsway Manor.
Becki also runs RootNotes, a community music company that works with people of all ages and abilities to make music. Contact Becki for fiddle tuition either face to face or online.
Email - Becki
Web site - https://www.englishfiddle.com and https://www.rootnotes.org.uk
Griselda Sanderson – South Devon
Griselda Sanderson has experience of teaching general music and the violin, viola and nyckelharpa at every level, from young children and teenagers to university undergraduates, adult beginners and the retired. Her special interest is in teaching people to play by ear. She has also led fiddle groups and Scandinavian music workshops for mixed instrumentalists.
Email - Griselda
Web site - https://www.grissanderson.com/
Dorset
Matt Tarling – Dorset
Matt is an experienced musician: violinist and teacher. He has been providing lessons since 2003, online since 2008. Matt can help you to improve both your technique and repertoire, all whilst keeping it fun. He can teach in either English or French.
Email - Matt Tarling
Web site - https://www.matt-tarling.co.uk/
Facebook - https://Www.facebook.com/matt.online.lessons
Stefan Defilet - Bournemouth
Experienced performer and teacher of Violin, member of the Alani String Quartet.
Email - Stefan
Web Site - www.bournemouth-violin-teacher.co.uk
Hampshire
Chris Nichols - F22 Cobbett Court, 66 Cobbett Road, Southampton, SO18 1HP
Teaches Violin and Viola.
Email - Chris Mobile - 0785 596 3667
London
Raphael Hurwitz - North London
Teaches Violin, Viola and Piano. Willing to teach all ranges of pupils.
Email - Raphael
Northumberland
Penny Kempson – Newcastle Upon Tyne
Penny Kempson is an experienced violin and viola teacher, specialising in classical and folk music. She is knowledgeable around exam repertoire and technique and tailors lessons to the needs of each student. Penny teaches total beginners up to post grade 8 training, and has taught ages 6-96!
Email - Penny
Sarah Tym – Morpeth
Sarah is an experienced and personable teacher of classical violin/viola and folk fiddle for all ages and experience levels. She specialises in technique, quality of sound and rekindling lost enthusiasm! Sarah is currently teaching online with a view to resuming in-person tuition when possible.
Email - Sarah
Melissa Whitehead – Newcastle Upon Tyne
Melissa Whitehead is a graduate of the Newcastle University folk & traditional music degree. She is currently a fiddle tutor for the North East Fiddle School and offers private lessons in the west end of Newcastle as well as online. Having completed a PGDip in instrumental teaching at Trinity Laban, she is now studying for a PGCEi in group instrumental teaching.
Email - Melissa
Nottinghamshire
Nataly Stevens - Burton Joyce
Plays violin with the Nottingham Symphony Orchestra.
Nataly teaches Violin and Piano she is also a piano accompanist, performer and composer.
Email - Nataly - Mobile - 074 6274 9294
Web site - www.mymusic4you.co.uk
Erika Z Owen - ZeckserOwen Suzuki Violin Studio, 16 Stamford Street, Awsworth, Nottinghamshire, NG16 2QL
Member of the Nottingham Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra of the Restoration and numerous other groups.
Teaches Violin locally to Awsworth.
Email - Erika - Mobile - 0781 7965389
Web site - www.zeckserowensuzuki.musicteachershelper.com
Scotland
Colin Macleod - Scotland
Colin, a Celtic fiddle player with over 40 years experience, has achieved Grade 8 Violin Distinction, recorded 7 CDs, played in Celtic bands, and has run Celtic fiddle workshops in Scotland, Australia and the United States.
He now regularly performs and teaches, both in person and online, across five continents including Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and North America. Colin runs Celtic fiddle courses online, helping players to develop their confidence and learn skills of playing Celtic fiddle tunes by ear. Colin offers group and one to one coaching for beginners to advanced players.
Email - Colin
Web site - www.celticfiddleguru.com
Surrey
Mark Kelly - Violinology - Camberley
14 Turf Hill Road, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 4EQ.
Very experienced teacher & musician, can help with Violin Problems.
Email - Mark
Tel: 07912 858648
Wiltshire
John Dipper – Salisbury
John has been teaching for over 17 years: his knowledge, experience and enthusiasm making him a much sought after tutor. He regularly teaches at the University of Newcastle, Goldsmiths and the University of Limerick on the BA and MA courses.
John’s current students vary in age and ability from adult beginners learning folk music, to teenagers working towards grade exams. John tailors his teaching style and approach to the needs of each individual student and their aims and goals.
John is currently offering lessons online and can be contacted via his website.
Web site - http://johndipper.co.uk/musician/teaching.htm
Yorkshire
Bryony Griffith – West Yorkshire
Bryony Griffith is an English fiddle player and folk singer with over 20 years’ experience teaching fiddle. She is a Senior Lecturer on the folk degree at Leeds Conservatoire. Her expertise lies in traditional English dance tunes, particularly the repertoire of her native Yorkshire. Lessons can cover anything from repertoire and technique to playing for dancing and fiddle singing. Bryony is currently offering lessons online via Skype or Zoom for intermediate to advanced players, and from beginner to advanced at home in Skelmanthorpe when restrictions allow. All ages welcome!
Email - Bryony
If you can't find someone above then try the following :-
MusicTeachers.co.uk Well known support site for music teachers and students. Lots of advice about choosing a teacher, finding an accompanist and buying an instrument.
Community Music Groups
North East Fiddle School
The North East Fiddle School offers weekly classes for adults at different ability levels, covering all aspects of traditional fiddle playing. Our highly experienced tutors, Stewart Hardy and Melissa Whitehead, create a friendly and nurturing environment, bringing people together to enjoy the learning experience. Improve your technique and bowing, learn new tunes and develop the ability to really bring folk tunes to life. A fully-online programme of video tutorials and Zoom calls is available when we cannot meet in person on a Wednesday evening.
Email Ali Say
Web Site - http://www.northeastfiddleschool.org.uk
Phoenix Folk – North East
Established in 2009, Phoenix Folk exists to promote performance and participation in folk and acoustic music, song and dance. They offer regular folk music classes, sessions and ensemble opportunities, both in the North East of England and online
Email Phoenix Folk
Web Site - https://phoenixfolk.co.uk
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/phoenixfolk
Telephone - 07971 016547
Tunelink South West
Tunelink is a community music project based in South Devon comprised of informal sessions, public ceilidh dances, workshops and evening classes. Their aim is to to build connections between local players, dancers and venues through increased involvement in social music-making amongst people of all generations.
Email Tunelink South West
Web Site - https://tunelink.org
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TunelinkSW
Violin Only Sites
Fiddle Forum A good site to meet like minded fiddle & violin players.
Best Student Violins Internet resources for string playes, string teachers, parents and students.
Violin Masterclass This used to be a web site with lots of good advice from Kurt Sassmannshaus who shared some of his teaching techniques with you. It's now been moved to youtube and there are lots of good teaching videos and some lovely performances by pupils of all ages. Inspiring stuff.
Why is the Violin so hard to play A very interesting though somewhat technical look at what happens when you bow a string. Also gives ideas as to why the tone of a string is sometimes nice and sometimes down right nasty.
Fiddle Hangout. The support site for fiddlers, Community section, Fiddle lessons, Fiddle Videos and Reviews. We like this site.
Welcome to World Fiddle Music A lovely site presented by Jim Dorans. After a free registration you can get video lessons on all sorts of techniques and styles.
Performers, Orchestras and Bands
The Revival Ceilidh Band Probably the best Barn Dance / Ceilidh Band in Derbyshire. Will travel, very professional outfit - Highly recommended.
Fulham Symphony Orchestra Thriving amateur orchestra, performing three or four concerts a year in the Hammersmith and Fulham area.
Manor House Music If you ever need a solo violin, a duo or a string quartet to play for your function, these are probably the best. If you want to know how a violin really should sound take a listen to the samples on their Playlist page.
Noel Webb Noel Webb’s screaming, passionate electric violin plays over sizzling textures of metal, orchestras, and hard hip-hop beats. Actually it's not as bad as the description would suggest, worth a visit and some of it is really very melodic and clever.
Sources of Violin Sheet Music
Download violin sheet music instantly! Find high quality violin sheet music ready to download and print from Virtual Sheet Music
Music Scores.com Classical Sheet Music - Over 80 Composers, lots of Sheet music, some of it free, one small subscription allows you to download the lot, quite a bargain.
Links to Web Sites for other Instruments
www.ezfolk.com Free MP3 and video hosting for folk and acoustic musicians, ezFolk is also an instructional site for banjo (bluegrass & clawhammer), folk guitar, ukulele, and harmonica. Hundreds of pages of tablature, tutorials, and more!
Musical Organisations and Societies
The English Folk Dance and Song Society The home of folk music in the UK. Lots of information about folk activities and a good selection of books and videos to buy.
Musicians Gallery Profiles of musicians and related services worldwide. Worth a visit fr the background music.
Other Web Sites of Interest
The Revival Ceilidh Band Probably the best Barn Dance / Ceilidh Band in Derbyshire. Will travel, very professional outfit - Highly recommended.