Violin Lessons

Teaching is very rewarding, it is a wonderful kind of puzzle to have another violinist walk out the door happily with solutions at hand and inspiration to play. Working at classical technique and a free feeling whilst making music are important values in my style of teaching, as is ensemble playing and the use of our beautiful sound palette.

I have over 35 years experience in professional orchestral playing and chamber music and find it very valuable to pass on my experience. Working together on orchestral parts, playing together in class, developing free improvisation if you’re interested (your own idiom), chamber music lessons for your string quartet, coaching a violin group: everything is possible. I also teach at your home if you like, and generally prefer pupils that have had a few years of experience. I also like teaching violinists who are retired and firmly believe that progress is possible at any age. My eldest pupil is 71 and just started playing string quartet. What a lovely path to discover!

Here is a list of the teachers who have helped me develop. I think it is important to share this background because they have all had influence on my musical personality and thus style of teaching.

For many years I received lessons from István Párkányi (at that time primarius of the Orlando Quartet) who taught me a lot about phrasing, tone colour, delicacy, chamber music playing and the deeper layers of musical experience. He passed away in Hungary in September 2023. I certainly adopted his love of Schubert and Bartók, as well as his love of string quartet playing. István’s playing stems from the traditions of Max Rostal and Sándor Végh. At the beginning of my conservatory studies I had lessons from Davina van Wély. I graduated in 1990 with a master diploma at the Sweelink Conservatory at Amsterdam (now Amsterdam University of the Arts).

I took master classes with Adelina Oprean in Lenk (Switzerland) and with Daniel Philips in Prussia Cove (Cornwall), where Sándor Végh was the principal teacher. During a sabbatical in London in 1997, I had occasional violin lessons with Simon Fischer. In Hitzacker (Germany) and Aldeburgh (UK) I received quartet lessons from members of the Alban Berg Quartet. During my study at the Banff Centre for the Arts (1989-1990 Canada) I learned a lot from different teachers like Frans Helmerson (cello), Rivka Golani (viola). The school offered many opportunities to play together with the teachers. I have adopted this viewpoint and find playing together in lessons and during chambermusic coaching very important.

Many years ago I met the saxophonist Onno van Swigchem during a workshop on improvising for animated films. He is a great teacher and guide, and has written a wonderful book: “Speel jezelf” (Play Yourself). The improvising pianist Albert van Veenendaal has had even a greater influence on my development as an improviser as we both formed several different improvising ensembles and made several cd’s.

I really like the idea of inspiring classically oriented players to find their own free path and will always promote it.