VIOLIN, VIOLA & Theory teaching for Richmond, Twickenham, Kew, Ham and Kingston

Elliot playing his Violin at their home teaching studio in Ham, Richmond-Upon-Thames

Tutoring Experience

Elliot has taught full time for over eight years, and has consistently excellent feedback from all of their full time and part time pupils, both young learners and adults. Elliot teaches 20-25 students weekly regularly in areas such as Richmond, Sheen, Mortlake, Acton, Brentford, Ealing, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, Kingston, Ham, Petersham, Osterly, and Isleworth.

Alongside Elliot’s thriving private teaching practice, In 2021, they became an Associate Music Teacher at Tiffin School, Kingston, and at St Richard Reynolds Catholic College, Twickenham, where they teach both Violin and Viola. In the past, Elliot has worked for Richmond Music Trust for four and a half years as an associate teacher, working with over fifty students in up to four different schools each week. Elliot has also spent two years working as an Upper Strings Teacher at Westminster City School, London. 

Whilst studying, Elliot also ran the "RCM Underground" Performance Platform and peer learning program at the Royal College of Music acting as a class co-ordinator and working alongside many Conservatoire Students in a supportive and pastoral manner. Elliot has continued this program in their school teaching, and lately has been running similar peer-learning centred performance classes at St Richard Reynolds Catholic College for their students and other string players at the school.

Elliot has also taught on a number of Instrumental Teaching Courses in the south of England. Elliot is a Member of the European String Teachers Association, ISM, and the Musician’s Union.

 

 

Elliot guides a first time Violin player through the basics during a Yamaha Music 'Learn to Play Day' in 2015.

Tutoring Approach:

Elliot believes in tutoring through a relaxed, supportive and adaptive manner, taking the individual needs of each student into account. Elliot believes that encouragement inspires confidence, and works hard to build a genuine rapport with all pupils. If a student needs the time, Elliot always endeavours to go above and beyond what is required to give a pupil the support that they need - especially in terms of low-income students with genuine talent, where Elliot is always happy to negotiate affordable and constructive lesson plans.

Elliot has a highly technical approach to working out issues with playing, and is keen to work on many aspects of a students technique alongside their musical development. Elliot works with students on all Music Graded exams from Grades I-VIII, and they are always seeking to encourage students to reach the limits of their potential.

More recently, Elliot has been working almost exclusively with using the exciting new exam board MTB Exams for all their students. Founded in 2019, MTB Exams offer what Elliot believes to be a significantly more flexible, invigorating and musically fulfilling exam syllabus than competitors. These exams fit Elliot’s adaptive style of teaching perfectly. Please do take a look at MTB’s website for more information.

References can be made available from current pupils on request. 

 

Testimonials and Feedback

I can not recommend Elliot enough as a teacher, they are incredibly passionate about music and it shines through in their teaching. I never learnt how to play an instrument as a child, but found as an adult that I would like to play the violin. I was quite nervous at the thought of being taught as an adult, but Elliot has helped me greatly. I personally didn’t want to play classical music or songs that I didn’t know, but Elliot was very understanding and allowed me to choose what music I wanted to learn. They additionally give great advice about what things I needed to buy and the music books that would work for me.

Elliot is very patient and never has a bad thing to say, but instead helps you with any problems. Which was exactly what I needed as I don’t do very well when criticised; (I can imagine this also being held when Elliot teaches children). One of the greatest thing that I’ve found about Elliot is that they quickly understood how I best learn, and then edited the lessons so that I could get the best out of them. My progress has been rapid and I’m very grateful for Elliot’s help, and I hope it continues in our lessons.
— Alison, Violin (adult learner)
As a student of Elliot’s I can only recommend them as a teacher in every way.

Elliot is kind and patient and will work with you to adapt their teaching to how you learn best, even beyond the lesson time.
This results in not only fun lessons but I have also never learnt so much so quickly from a teacher.

Their lessons have turned into a safe space for me and have strengthened my love for violin and I am very grateful for that.
— Clara Nitsche, Violin (adult learner)
Elliot is a fantastic teacher; hugely knowledgeable and a brilliant player as well. I’ve made far more progress than I ever expected after just a few weeks of teaching and a 35 year gap in viola playing. The best instrumental teacher I’ve had the pleasure of working with.
— Helen, Viola (adult learner)
Elliot is a wonderful violin tutor. They are patient, cheerful and extremely capable. Elliot is good with children and young people, and has a genuine passion for music. They are busy and popular, and our only problem was booking Elliot at mutually convenient times, as they are pretty choc-a-bloc! A great teacher though.
— Mrs K Aldridge, Parent
Elliot is super friendly and supportive, the lessons are genuinely good fun and I am loving learning a new instrument.
— Matthew, Viola (adult learner)
Very patient and encouraging. An ideal tutor.
— Richard, Viola (adult learner)
Elliot is a great teacher. After many years away from viola, I decided to learn violin. I started taking lessons with Elliot as a beginner adult student.

Their dedication to teaching is superb as shown through his seriousness about sharing his passion for music. If I was afraid to get back to music, Elliot gave me the confidence I needed. I’m making a ton of really good progression. Merci!!
— -Oceane, Violin (adult learner)