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Ashok Klouda - Cello Classes in East Finchley/ North London

Ashok Klouda Cello Teacher (North London)

Ashok Klouda Gold Member

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  • Professional Qualification BMus Hons 1st Class (Royal Academy of Music)
  • Professional Qualification LRAM Teaching Diploma (Royal Academy of Music), PGDip. Advanced Performance Diploma (Royal College of Music), Concert Diploma (University of Arts, Bern)
  • Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Check CRB approved
  • Professional Membership The Barbirolli Quartet, Cellophony, KlouDuo, Klouda/Middleton Duo, Callaghan Piano Trio, The London Cello Society
  • References References are available upon request

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Personal Message
I love playing and teaching the cello. It is great fun, provides fantastic mental stimulation and is a perfect outlet for the ex<x>pression of every possible human emotion.
Which subject(s) do you teach?
I teach the cello and chamber music primarily, but I am also happy to offer practice supervision/assistance and to teach music theory.
Tell me about your qualifications.
I studied at the Junior Department of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama for six years and whilst there won the school's annual competition for all instruments - the 'Lutine Prize'. I then went to the Royal Academy of Music, graduating with a 1st Class BMus Hons degree and also earned a LRAM teaching Diploma whilst there. Following this, undertook a two year postgraduate diploma in performance at the Royal College of Music, obtaining a PGDip at the end of the first year and then a PGDip Adv with distinction in my second year. My formal cello studies were brought to a conclusion with a further two year postgraduate degree in Switzerland, where I graduated with a Konzertdiplom.

As a chamber musician, I have held Fellowships at the Royal Academy of Music on two separate occasions (as a member of two different quartets) and also a Fellowship at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

My teaching has also benefited from the many years of training I have had in the Alexander Technique and also my study of the Baroque Cello.
What kind of experience do you have?
I have been teaching the cello since 2004 and chamber music since 2009. I have experience of teaching all ages and levels - from 5 year old children to adults, complete beginners to music conservatoire undergraduates.

At the Higher Education level, I deputised for cello professor Jérôme Pernoo, teaching his undergraduate students when he was away, and during my chamber music fellowship at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama I taught 1st & 2nd year undergraduate chamber groups.

I have gained experience from teaching children both privately and in schools such as Northcote Lodge and Highgate School, and Saturday music centres such as Centre for Young Musicians and Young Music Makers, and I am currently also on the list of deputy cello teachers at the Junior Guildhall School of Music and Drama. I have also given many school workshops/masterclasses around the country - including masterclasses for chamber groups from Chetham's School of Music.

I also really enjoy working with adult learners and amateurs. I have worked with adult students privately and have also taught on the amateur chamber music course at Dartington International Summer School for the past 3 years.

As an adjudicator, I have examined for the Royal Over-Seas League/Pettman solo and chamber music scholarship prizes in Singapore and New Zealand.
How much do you charge?
I charge £45 per hour for cello and chamber music lessons (£25 for 30 mins, £35 for 45 mins). This is inclusive of travel. I offer the first 'taster' lesson for £20, with absolutely no pressure to continue if you do not feel completely happy.
For practice supervision and music theory lessons I charge £35 per hour.
Where do you teach?
I prefer to teach from my home in East Finchley, but it may also be possible for me to travel to you, particularly if you are in the North London area.
When are you available?
As a busy performer, my timetable does vary from week to week, but I do my best to accommodate teaching times that are convenient for my students.
Which ages and levels do you teach?
I teach all ages and all levels!
I particularly enjoy teaching advanced students and adults, but I am also able to teach beginners.
Which qualifications do you prepare your students for?
I did graded exams as a child, but I do not think they are always the right way to go. It depends very much on the individual and the circumstances. Sometimes an exam can provide a great incentive to work hard, but sometimes it may be best to take a step back and concentrate on developing a particular skill to a higher level that will then enable all future learning to be made easier.
Do you have an up-to-date CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) disclosure certificate?
Yes.
Describe your arrangements for online tutoring.
I do not recommend it, but if people really want to have a lesson with me online, we can arrange a Skype video call. A decent microphone connected to your computer, a good webcam and a fast internet connection would all be necessary, as the sound and picture quality may otherwise make it too difficult to give a proper lesson.
Do you belong to any professional organisations?
The Barbirolli Quartet
Cellophony
KlouDuo
Zagoranski/Klouda Duo
Callaghan Piano Trio
Where and with whom did you train?
I studied initially with David Robinson before joining the Junior Guildhall and studying with Margaret Powell.
At the Royal Academy of Music my teachers were Colin Carr and Josephine Knight.
I then studied as a postgraduate with Jérôme Pernoo at the Royal College of Music and did another postgraduate course with Louise Hopkins at the Hochschule der Künste Bern (Bern University of Arts).

I have also been lucky enough to have lessons/masterclasses with:
• Bernard Greenhouse
• David Geringas
• Anna Bylsma
• Alexander Baillie
• Lluis Claret
• Robert Cohen
• Steven Doane
• Raphael Wallfisch
• Uzi Weizel


In chamber music, I have studied with many wonderful musicians such as:
• Eberhard Feltz
• Ferenc Rados
• Alasdair Tait
• Belcea Quartet
• Amadeus Quartet
• Gábor Takács-Nagy
• Valentin Erben
• Isabel Charisius
• Wihan Quartet
• Erich Höbarth
• András Schiff
• Peter Norris
• David Dolan
• Thomas Brandis


I studied Baroque Cello with Jennifer Ward Clarke (Royal Academy of Music) and Catherine Rimer (Royal College of Music). My Alexander Technique training was with Timothy McNamara (Junior Guildhall), Graham Griffiths (RAM), Judith Kleinman (RCM) and Peter Buckoke (RCM).
Tell me about some of your current students.
One of my current amateur adult students had previously struggled at the instrument due to poor teaching, but after working together for a while she is now enjoying discovering that playing the cello does not need to be a battle and it does not need to be painful! This is very satisfying as a teacher.
Do you have a personal message for students?
Stay positive! Enjoying what you do is the key to a sustained motivation to practise. It is also good to remember that the more you practise and understand, the more you will improve and therefore the more likely you are to take pleasure in playing!

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