Rachael has been running workshops and teaching for over 15 years. She teaches one to one violin, cello and viola lessons privately as well as in schools, and is co-leader of choirs and ensembles in the Newcastle area.
Rachael has also been involved in running many folk music workshops at festivals and events as well as working with Aldeburgh Young Musicians and the National Youth Orchestra as part of Bellowhead workshops.
Workshops and lessons are friendly and inclusive with a focus on good technique.
Online 1-to-1 tuition is currently fully booked but feel free to get in touch if you would like to be added to my waiting list.
Online Beginners and Improvers Courses for adults are open for booking now. These courses run in blocks of 6 weeks and are 1.5hrs per session. We will look at new music in each 6 week block so the course will be suitable for people who have signed up before and new starters. We will have a big focus on technique as well as building repertoire.
New for 2021 is an intensive Absolute Beginners Workshop. This is for people who have never played before. The course is split across 2 Saturdays for 2 hours each week. All you need is a fiddle and bow.
The online courses will be recorded and sent out to you along with all resources each week so you can still take the course even if you can't make any or all of the sessions online.
"I’ve been talking about learning an instrument for years, I wish I hadn’t left it so long, so go on take the plunge, Rachael’s lessons are fabulous I have 90 uninterrupted minutes a week doing something I thoroughly enjoy, such a positive experience." - Sue
"Rachael is a fantastic teacher. The course has a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, full of really useful content, and I feel that I’m now set on the right path." - Malcolm
"After a 10(ish) year hiatus from the violin, this course has refreshed my memory and allowed me to play with confidence again. Rachael is a great teacher and her instruction is easy to follow." - Louise
This beginner course is suitable for players who already have a basic grasp of the fiddle but want to develop a solid technique & musical grounding. We will learn a variety of folk tunes at a steady pace. All you need is a fiddle & bow. All sessions are recorded and available to view for a week so live attendance not essential.
This is an online course for adults via Zoom.
Wednesdays 10-11.30am on 9/6/21, 16/6/21, 23/6/21, 30/6/21, 7/7/21, 14/7/21
This improvers course is suitable for players who already know their way around the fiddle but want to develop their technique & overall sound. We will learn a variety of folk tunes both from music and by ear and focus on various techniques to improve your playing. Sessions are recorded and available to view for a week so live attendance not essential.
This is an online course for adults via Zoom. Mondays 6.30-8pm on 7/6/21, 14/6/21, 21/6/21, 28/6/21, 5/7/21, 12/7/21
This beginner course is suitable for players who already have a basic grasp of the fiddle but want to develop a solid technique & musical grounding. We will learn a variety of folk tunes at a steady pace. All you need is a fiddle & bow. All sessions are recorded and available to view for a week so live attendance not essential.
This is an online course for adults via Zoom.
Wednesdays 10-11.30am on 21/4/21, 28/4/21, 5/5/21, 12/5/21, 19/5/21, 26/5/21
This improvers course is suitable for players who already know their way around the fiddle but want to develop their technique & overall sound. We will learn a variety of folk tunes both from music and by ear and focus on various techniques to improve your playing. Sessions are recorded and available to view for a week so live attendance not essential.
This is an online course for adults via Zoom. Mondays 6.30-8pm on 19/4/21, 26/4/21, 3/5/21, 10/5/21, 17/5/21, 24/5/21
This is a 2-week intensive course for absolute beginners. We will go through the basics to get you started playing - from your first few notes up to playing your first folk tune. We will focus on good technique and building a solid musical foundation. All you need is a fiddle and bow. This is an online course for adults via Zoom.
2 Sessions on Saturday mornings - 10am-12pm 27/3/21 & 3/4/21
This beginner course is suitable for players who already have a basic grasp of the fiddle but want to develop a solid technique & musical grounding. We will learn a variety of folk tunes at a steady pace. All you need is a fiddle & bow. All sessions are recorded and available to view for a week so live attendance not essential.
This is an online course for adults via Zoom.
Wednesdays 10-11.30am on 24/2/21, 3/3/21, 10/3/21, 17/3/21, 24/3/21, 31/3/21
This improvers course is suitable for players who already know their way around the fiddle but want to develop their technique & overall sound. We will learn a variety of folk tunes both from music and by ear and focus on various techniques to improve your playing. Sessions are recorded and available to view for a week so live attendance not essential.
This is an online course for adults via Zoom. Mondays 6.30-8pm on 22/2/21, 1/3/21, 8/3/21, 15/3/21, 22/3/21, 29/3/21
An extra session for those who have completed the Absolute Beginners Intensive Workshop and want to learn more tunes and work on their technique.
This is a 2-week intensive course for absolute beginners. We will go through the basics to get you started playing - from your first few notes up to playing your first folk tune. We will focus on good technique and building a solid musical foundation. All you need is a fiddle and bow. This is an online course for adults via Zoom.
2 Sessions on Saturday mornings - 10am-12pm 23/1/21 & 30/1/21
This beginner course is suitable for players who already have a basic grasp of the fiddle but want to develop a solid technique & musical grounding. We will learn a variety of folk tunes at a steady pace. All you need is a fiddle & bow. All sessions are recorded and available to view for a week so live attendance not essential.
This is an online course for adults via Zoom.
Wednesdays 10-11.30am on 6/1/21, 13/1/21, 20/1/21, 27/1/21, 3/2/21, 10/2/21
This improvers course is suitable for players who already know their way around the fiddle but want to develop their technique & overall sound. We will learn a variety of folk tunes both from music and by ear and focus on various techniques to improve your playing. Sessions are recorded and available to view for a week so live attendance not essential.
This is an online course for adults via Zoom. Mondays 6.30-8pm on 4/1/21, 11/1/21, 18/1/21, 25/1/21, 1/2/21, 8/1/21
An introduction to playing folk fiddle for absolute beginners and those just getting started. This 6-week course will help you find your way around the fiddle and bow, starting with a few notes and leading up to playing your first folk tunes. We will focus on developing a solid technique and musical foundation from the start. All worksheets and music will be provided. All you need is a fiddle (violin) & bow.
This is an online course for adults (via Zoom)
Wednesday 10-11.30am 11/11/20, 18/11/20, 25/11/20, 2/12/20, 9/12/20, 16/12/20
This 6-week course is suitable for fiddle players who know a few basics already or those looking to dust off their fiddle and get back to playing. We will build up a repertoire and understanding of folk tunes and work on technical skills to improve your playing and sound. All worksheets and music will be provided. All you need is a fiddle (violin) & bow.
This is an online course for adults (via Zoom)
Mondays 6.30-8pm 9/11/20, 16/11/20, 23/11/20, 30/11/20, 7/12/20, 14/12/20
An introduction to playing folk fiddle for absolute beginners. This 6-week course will help you find your way around the fiddle and bow, starting with a few notes and leading up to playing your first folk tunes. We will be focusing on developing a solid technique and musical foundation from the start. All worksheets and music will be provided. All you need is a fiddle (violin) & bow.
This is an online course for adults (via Zoom)
Wednesday 10-11.30am 30/9/20, 7/10/20, 14/10/20, 21/10/20, 28/10/20, 4/11/20
This 6-week course is suitable for fiddle players who know a few basics already or those looking to dust off their fiddle and get back to playing. We will build up a repertoire and understanding of folk tunes and work on technical skills to improve your playing and sound. All worksheets and music will be provided. All you need is a fiddle (violin) & bow.
This is an online course for adults (via Zoom)
Mondays 6.30-8pm 28/9/20, 5/10/20, 12/10/20, 19/10/20, 26/10/20, 2/11/20
“Rachael is very encouraging and positive. I've really enjoyed the online violin lessons and feel that I've progressed a lot. I'm keen to carry on with online lessons”
— Ava
“Rachael has been my cello teacher for about 5 years. During the last few months, she has made the online lessons really fun and has kept challenging me with new music.”
— Kate