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Personal Message

The Cello, although very difficult to play, is also very simple: it works best when you don't try too hard and just let it play itself, in which case it is one of the most rewarding experiences of music-making I've ever come across. You've made a great choice of instrument, keep it up! I find it often helps as a beginner if you have a particular cellist you aspire to sound like, to have an aim in learning the instrument, so that you know what all the effort is about!
Feel free to read on to find out a bit more about me, or contact me directly to arrange a free consultation lesson as that will tell you a lot more about who I am than a few words on a screen.

I look forward to hearing from you,
Vladimir

Interview

Which subject(s) do you teach?
I teach Cello and Chamber Music, but I can also provide support with any music-related academic subjects.

Tell me about your qualifications.
I have diplomas from the French Conservatoire system in Cello and Chamber Music (DEM/First Prize/Gold Medal with the highest possible mark) and in Piano (Diplome de Fin d'Etudes), as well as various academic music subjects. I am currently furthering my studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where my course includes a teaching module.

What kind of experience do you have?
I have plenty of experience as a performer, playing chamber, solo and orchestral music. I have played in many halls throughout France and England (including most of the major venues in London), but also in Tokyo (Japan), St. Petersburg (Russia), in Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany... I have enjoyed teaching for several years now, and find that it is an essential part of my own music-making, on top of the rewards in helping stimulate a student's progress.

How much do you charge?
I consider the first lesson as a consultation lesson, it is free: it is important for best results that both student and tutor feel well matched. If it goes well and there is a mutual desire to continue the lessons, I charge £25 if you are travelling to me, £30 if I am travelling to you for a minimum 1 hour long lesson. For younger children, when the lesson time needs to be shorter to accommodate a different attention span, price can be discussed.

Any cancellations need to be made a minimum of 24 hours in advance, otherwise I will still charge the full lesson fee.

Where do you teach?
I can teach both at my home on Popes Lane (close to Chiswick and Ealing, nearest tube is Acton Town) or at student's homes.

When are you available?
As a musician, my weekly timetable varies a lot, lessons can be arranged on a weekly basis. I can teach any day of the week, and at any time (within reason), but flexibility might be needed.

Which ages and levels do you teach?
I teach all levels, from complete beginner to advanced, children and adults.

Do you have an up-to-date CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) disclosure certificate?
Yes.

Where and with whom did you train?
I did most of my training in France with the famous Catalan cellist Lluís Claret and his assistants Juliane Trémoulet and Blandine Boyer, and obtained a Diplome d'Etudes Musicales, mention Très Bien a l'Unanimité (the highest possible mark in the highest french diploma before music college), then spent two years in the Yehudi Menuhin School studying with Pierre Doumenge (ex-Dante Quartet), with whom I am currently continuing my studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. I am also a very active performer in the Early Music movement, and have regular lessons on baroque cello and viola da gamba with Alison McGillivray and Liam Byrne

Tell me about some of your current students.
I want to give you an idea of the variety of people i teach, here are four examples of my current students:


- An adult beginner, who has never played before, and who has had their first lessons with me.

- Another adult, who used to play in their school-days, but dropped it since, and has recently started taking lessons again.

- A child about to take Grade 5, who just got awarded a Music Exhibition Scholarship for next year

- Another child, who has their main teacher in Junior College (in this case i offer additional input, sometimes a different point of view, but mostly i try to just help with what the main teacher has set)