Trusted teacher

I am a cello and theory teacher passionate about curating lessons to each and every individual that can enhance their musical ability and understanding from the very beginning. I welcome anybody wishing to learn. About me: I am a professional freelance cellist with many years of training and teaching experience behind me having begun teaching at a young age. I teach classical cello and baroque cello as well as piano, conducting, composition and orchestration, aural skills and music theory. I have a Bachelor of Music from the Norwegian Academy of Music, a Master and an Artist Diploma from the University of Stavanger, Norway, and a Master of Music from the Royal College of Music, London, where I was an Anglo-Norse Award Holder. I have also attended a multitude of courses and masterclasses over the years. Having had such diverse training and acquired a broad musical understanding, I am passionate about curating lessons to each and every individual that can enhance their musical ability and understanding from the very beginning. I am open, approachable and easy going, and am experienced with children as well as adults, beginners as well as advanced players, and welcome anybody wishing to learn. As a performer, I am in high demand as a chamber musician and recitalist, frequently performing with small ensembles and chamber orchestras, often as guest principal. This includes the British Sinfonia, Opera Holland Park, Brandenburg Sinfonia and Brandenburg Baroque Soloists, Florilegium, Orchestra Nova, Piccadilly Sinfonietta, Gabrieli, Gothic Opera and Ensemble OrQuesta. I have been a soloist with various orchestras both in the UK and abroad, but I mostly enjoy giving solo recitals where the music of Bach is often present, as well as exploring lesser known works. I am a Southbank Sinfonia alumnus, was on the extras list for the Norwegian Radio Orchestra and Stavanger Symphony Orchestra when living in Norway, and I enjoyed the professional experience scheme of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in 2022. I am also a keen researcher. My research on historical performance practice (early 18th to early 20th centuries) is presented in the form of webinars and lecture recitals which I have held across London, including at the RCM Music & Ideas series, at the London Festival of Baroque Music and for the London Mozart Players friends. In 2020, I made a historically informed recording of the Elgar Cello Concerto with an orchestra of London freelancers based off my own research. I have also performed with the Gabrieli Players and conductor Paul McCreesh in Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius on historical instruments. We made an award-winning studio recording which was published in early 2024. Experience: I began teaching at the Sandefjord School of Music and Performing Arts in Norway whilst still a student there, teaching solo as well as ensemble groups. During my university studies in Stavanger I was employed as a cello teacher at the Kolibri Music Academy where I taught adult beginners. I was also employed by the Stavanger School of Music and Performing Arts where I taught children from age 7-18 in cello and orchestra sectionals. Often arranging and conducting music for them. In 2017, I became Jakob Kullberg’s unofficial teaching assistant at the Royal College of Music, teaching RCM students up to Artist Diploma level. I also assisted Kullberg in the development of a new book of exercises with detailed descriptions on how to accomplish various musical and technical aspects of playing the cello. Since 2018 I have been establishing a private student base, now based in Winchester, and enjoy teaching students of all ages and levels, both in person and online. In addition to my experience with teaching the cello, I have undertaken many courses in conducting and ensemble coaching and have frequently led and coached group rehearsals, both as section principal and also for performances of my own compositions and arrangements. Since a young age and throughout my studies, I have actively learned music theory, analysis, composition and arranging, and these skills have followed me closely as a performing cellist. I gained distinction in the composition and performance module at the Royal Northern College of Music (2014) and in the orchestration module at the Royal College of Music (2018). My compositions and arrangements have been performed in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the UK and Brazil. Approach: I am a keen teacher, invested in the education and enjoyment of my pupils. As well as encouraging and guiding my students in their individual goals and interests, I have a high focus on shaping a good cello technique in order to be able to achieve an improved sound, ability and the overall satisfaction a student will get from their own playing. This is done through technical exercises and then applied to pieces so that students can understand the real life benefits of each element learnt. Naturally I tailor this to the age and level of each student. I like to incorporate elements of music theory and background history into my teaching as I find this deepens understanding and allows for a more meaningful connection to the music one is playing. After all, our enjoyment and passion for the music we listen to and play is the most important thing. Through the development of playing technique and the understanding of the written music before us, our ability to achieve the musical phrasing and expression we seek is made possible. We will look at ways to shape the music, give stylistic variety, decipher the composer’s ideas behind the music, but also simply gain a better understanding of how the instrument itself works. As a composition and music theory teacher, I typically teach music notation, engraving, how to build up a good melody, harmony and harmonic progressions, how to put harmony to a melody, instrumental knowledge and how to write for various instruments, as well as how to create various effects and characters in your own music and how to arrange existing music for other instruments. No matter your aim or level of competence, my aim is to guide and motivate you towards your goal, whether that is simply to play for yourself, work towards exams or auditions, or play in an orchestra.

Trusted teacher

12Students

Are you in love with the sound of the cello but have never dared to start playing it? Have you been playing the cello as an amateur and now need an expert to guide you? Do you want to develop and improve your cello and musical skills? Do you need reinforcement lessons? Would you like to prepare for entrance exams to the conservatory? Would you love to join a youth orchestra and need help preparing for the auditions? ... These are the private cello lessons you were looking for! My name is Miriam, I am a graduate in Master of Classical Music at KASK & Conservatorium in Ghent. I've been teaching cello to children, teenagers and adults for 10 years, so I've acquired the necessary experience to be able to adapt to the different and personal needs and objectives of each student. My teaching methodology focuses on creating a friendly and relaxed environment (which does not mean undemanding!) in which students feel confident to express their own ideas and worries. In my lessons I focus on technical and postural questions, but we also reflect together on the music, as I like my students to develop their own musical ideas and not just imitate the teacher. Contact me now to schedule your first lesson and take the first step toward your musical aspirations! :)

Trusted teacher

3Students

Hello! I've been teaching continuously for over 10 years, and I'd like to explain what you can expect from a class with me. Personalized approach: The most important thing is to know what you want to achieve. I will tailor the lessons to your needs: playing for pleasure at home is not the same as preparing for entrance exams (although always with the same rigor). Your goals will influence the methodology, the organization of your studies, the repertoire, and so on. Relaxed (but rigorous) environment: Once you've defined your goals, classes will be dynamic and pressure-free. Note! "Relaxed" doesn't mean undemanding; we'll just avoid military methods—especially given my personality and sense of humor. Music, not just notes: My methods are very dynamic, with a special emphasis on hearing and musicality. No "read, play, and turn the page." I avoid approaches obsessed with reading sheet music without memorizing, listening, or understanding what is being played. I want you to own your performance and make artistic decisions. Warning! I might even make you sing. No stylistic barriers: Thanks to my training in Jazz and Modern Music, I give equal importance to all genres. Adapting to your tastes, we'll go from baroque to blues, from Haydn to bebop... or even Michael Jackson. Why not? If you identify with this approach, contact me! Learning the cello is a pleasure, and I'd love to share it with you!