Rebecca Willson Viola Violin

other tutors: Kirsty Hugill, Jackie Oates, Emma Clapham, Carina Vince

Rebecca teaches Violin, Viola and leads groups in Exeter Young Strings - she also teaches the Piano.

Rebecca Willson

My thoughts about teaching music

I have been teaching with Exeter Young Strings for 4 years now. My teaching aims are to encourage independent enthusiasm, motivation and confidence. I believe that the skill to play with other musicians is a very important part of learning an instrument so I spend quite a lot of time in lessons playing the piano with the pupils. I like to promote ensemble playing outside of lessons as well as regular performances opportunities with Exeter Young Strings.

Pupils are offered opportunities to work for exams but only if they want to. I currently teach the ABRSM syllabus and I am also starting to teach Trinity Guildhall as well because I have found it suits some pupils better.

I have a background of classical repertoire but am keen to pursue any music and styles which the pupil is interested in for example: film music, folk, jazz etc. 

Musical Experience

How I started - I started leaning the violin when I was about 8 years old. They read out a list of instruments at school and I put my hand up for violin! I started off in a group of 5 but in a few years time it was just me. I had already started the piano when I was 7. I think it was probably when I reached about grade 5 that I knew I wanted to pursue music more seriously. I started looking for music and deciding what I liked best about it.

What I am doing now - I have just graduated with First Class Honours in Music (Performance) from Dartington College of Arts. I am particularly interested in contemporary music and am in the process of forming a contemporary music ensemble with other ex students from Dartington. I am also working for the composer Graham Fitkin, editing scores. I have an interest in composing and arranging and regularly write/arrange music for my pupils and the groups that I teach and am particularly fascinated by cross rhythms and changing time signatures.

I teach at Stoke Hill Middle School, St Luke’s and St Peter’s High School. I have worked closely with Fiona McLean and South West Camerata this year and we are planning to make stronger links with EYS. I have been involved with the summer youth programme at the Dartington summer school for the last two years which is always a lot of fun. I regularly play for musicals with Stage By Stage and The Northcott Young Company.

Rebecca on the internet

MySpace personal page

Rebecca live

A YouTube video clip starring Rebecca

other tutors: Kirsty Hugill, Jackie Oates, Emma Clapham, Carina Vince

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