Stefan is an experienced teacher with pupils of all ages and abilities, having graduated from Birmingham Conservatoire with a BMus (Hons) in violin performance, and further study under Diana Cummings FRAM, Simon Smith and Nic Fallowfield.
Stefan started studying at Birmingham Conservatoire with Nic Fallowfield and was awarded an entrance scholarship as well as being one of only five students to receive the Leverhulme Trust scholarship from my year group. Prior to this he had received an award from the John W R Taylor Memorial Trust Fund which is given to exceptional instrumental students from Staffordshire. He then continued to study with Diana Cummings (professor of violin at the Royal Academy of Music) who is one of the UK’s most eminent violinists and teachers.
As well as teaching he is also a professional freelance violinist performing mainly throughout the Midlands, Oxfordshire and London. He has performed with several orchestras, chamber orchestras and string quartets throughout the country and internationally.
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‘Before moving to Birmingham to study at the Conservatoire I had many regular violin, piano and theory pupils covering all ages and abilities. I have helped coach group sessions in violin teaching for schools as well as taking several string group sessions and quartet rehearsals for younger students.
I currently have a great mix of pupils of all ages and abilities from across Oxford. Previously, I worked for a music service where I taught in primary, secondary schools and colleges based in Cheshire and Staffordshire for three years, alongside my own private pupils, before moving to Oxford. As part of working for a Music Service I provided class instrumental teaching as part of the ‘Wider Opportunity’ initiative.
I have experience teaching the exam syllabuses of the ABRSM and Trinity/Guildhall and have had successes all the way through to Grade 8 and beyond. I have also had students join some of the major youth orchestras in the country, such as the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (Youth Orchestra), National Youth String Orchestra and National Children’s Orchestra. I also have had others who are now studying music in some of the top universities in the country.
Many of my students have achieved prestigious music scholarships and exhibitions to schools both locally and nationally such as Magdalen College School, Oxford High School, Abingdon School, Winchester and Eton. I have also had many students who have been offered places at prestigious junior music departments nationally and internationally such as the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Guildhall School of Music, Royal Academy and the Julliard school in New York. I also prepare students at universities such as Oxford Brookes and Oxford University for their final recitals and performances.
Enjoyment is the key to quick and efficient learning especially at a young age. Developing the ear, sense of rhythm, musical personality as well as teaching the instrument itself is paramount in making a rounded and versatile musician which therefore enables the student to try all sorts of new things. This ultimately will let people fully enjoy what they are learning and playing, especially if they are learning for fun. I ensure my lessons are tailored to each pupil and am happy to teach people violin, piano and/or theory who are eager to learn just for enjoyment, or are keen to take the graded music exams. I like to make my lessons balanced between performance and musicianship to enable my pupils to be rounded and confident musicians.’
