Australian Cello Teachers On-Line Guide

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Georg Pedersen Dip.(Paris Conservatoire) , Dip. (USC)

Danish cellist Georg Pedersen has given well over 3000 concerts in 24
countries and is broadcast around the world. He studied in Copenhagen
with Geisler, in Paris with Paul Tortelier and in Los Angeles with
Gregor Piatigorsky. After eleven years as Principal Cellist of the Royal
Danish Philharmonic he moved on to university positions, and is
presently Senior Lecturer at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Sydney
University.

Pedersen populates the orchestras: He has more students in Australian
orchestras than any other cello teacher. As well as combining the
Russian and French Schools, Pedersen's teaching has roots going back to
Casals, Feuillard and Klengel. An internationally sought after teacher, his former students are professors and principal cellists of major orchestras and conservatoria around the world. In Sydney his secondary students hold major scholarships at schools such as Sydney Grammar,Knox and Abbottsleigh, and his tertiary students receive major scholarships including The Queen's Trust Award, The Queen Elizabeth Trust Scholarship, The Sir Ian Potter Foundation, The Sydney University Postgraduate Travelling Scholarship and many others. Upon graduation from the Conservatorium, his students study with the bestteachers in the world, such as Kirshbaum in Manchester and Geringas in Berlin; at schools such as Juilliard, Manhattan, Eastman, USC, Royal Academy, London, Royal Conservatorium, Copenhagen, and many schools in Germany.

Pedersen has created and published his own teaching material, to bring up to date existing material, being at the cutting edge of artistic and pedagogical research.

Telephone: (61 + 2) 9351 1278

Fax: (61 + 2) 9552 2030

Warrick Dobbie F.T.C.L. , D.S.C.M. (Syd.) , L.T.C.L (T) , A.S.C.M. , Grad.Dip.Ed. , M.A.C.E

CELLO TEACHER

A Graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium and a Fellow of Trinity College of Music London, Warrick Dobbie is recognised internationally as a leading figure in music performance & education. As a cellist, he has performed throughout the world including performances as guest Associate Principal Cellist of the University of Adelaide Cello Ensemble on their acclaimed tour of Russia, Germany, Italy and Yugoslavia and with the International Opera Festival for their performances of Aida in Tokyo Japan.

Warrick studied cello in Australia with Colleen McMeekin , before completing advanced studies with Russian cellist Alex Pogodin and Danish cellist Georg Pedersen . On returning to Australia after scholarship studies at the Royal College of Music London with Joan Dickson and in France with Maude Tortelier and Andre Navarra, Warrick established himself as one of Sydney's leading cello teachers - he has previously taught cello at many of Sydney's private schools including MLC School, Meriden, PLC Sydney and Shore Grammar School. Currently most of his teaching is now conducted at his own private School for Strings located at the heart of Sydney's inner western education belt. His students over the years have been the recipients of numerous awards and have gained places for further study at internationally recognised Conservatoriums and Universities. In recent years three of Warrick's cello students have been awarded prestigious Music Scholarships at Sydney Private Schools, Newington College, MLC School and PLC Sydney covering academic fees for Years 7 to12.

Beginners, intermediate and advanced students welcome.

Contact details :

Phone: 9744 9654

Mobile: 0412 642 048

Heather Stratfold B.Mus. , L.Mus.A.

Heather Stratfold graduated in 1986 with First Class Honours from the Elder Conservatorium of Music (Adelaide) having studied with Kurt Hess, a teacher of Swiss origin and former pupil of Janos Starker. Whilst still a student Heather played professionally with the ABC orchestras and chamber orchestras in Adelaide and commenced her cello teaching career working in schools, for TAFE (S.A.) and as a private tutor.

She moved to London in late 1986, after undertaking a European tour with the acclaimed University of Adelaide Cello Ensemble of which she was a founding member. She continued her cello studies with Christopher Bunting, former pupil of Pablo Casals, and later with Karine Georgian, former pupil of Rostropovich. She attended and participated in masterclasses at the Dartington International Summer Schools, the Manchester International Cello Festival and at the Aldeburgh Festival.

Heather's performing career in London spanned a wide range of musical genres from the Symphony Orchestra and Opera Orchestra, West End shows, various chamber groups including string quartets and cello duo to work as a session cellist for jazz/pop recordings and videos.

Since her return to Australia in 1996, Heather has been based in Sydney. She continues her performing career on a freelance basis within a broad variety of musical genres, most recently branching out into composition, jazz cello and work in the theatre ( acting, playing and singing ). Heather is a teacher who gives her all and has a unique ability to inspire others with her enthusiasm and passion for the cello. In her own time, Heather practices meditation and yoga, enjoys reading and joke telling.

Heather's instrument is a modern French cello by Alain Moiner (1997) affectionately named "Percy". New studio located in Croydon.

Ph. (02) 9716 7708

Mobile : 0412 763 189

Valda Vidler D.S.C.M. (Syd.) , A.Mus.A.

CELLO & PIANO TEACHER

Valda Vidler studied at the Sydney Conservatorium with distinguished cellists - John and Laurie Kennedy.

Valda toured with the Borovansky Ballet , Sadler Wells Company and has played with the Tasmanian, Adelaide and Sydney Symphony Orchestras, as well as with the ABC Dance Band and has accompanied visiting overseas artists in the popular music field.

She has taught cello and piano at various Sydney schools and has a dedicated music studio in Chatswood close to the central business district and extensive experience with both adults and children.

Telephone: (02) 9419 8370

Ljubo Oblikov Violoncellist Dip. ( Bulgaria ) , Grad.Dip.Mus. (Syd. Con.)

CELLO TEACHER

Ljubo Oblikov began studying the cello at the age of nine in his native Bulgaria, attending specialist Music Schools and the Sofia Conservatorium where he completed his Bachelor of Music Degree in 1977. He gave solo recitals and performed regularly as a member of various orchestras and chamber ensembles including the radio Sofia Orchestra, Russe Philharmonic,  Gabrovo Chamber Orchestra and two chamber orchestras formed specifically for performances and competitions in Italy and West Berlin, where he met his future wife, Australian flautist Jane Bolinowsky.

Upon arriving in Melbourne in 1981, Ljubo worked as a freelance cellist and teacher before accepting positions as lecturer in cello and solfege at the Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education in Toowoomba (University of Southern Queensland), Principal cellist of the Darling Downs Sinfonia and cellist in the Queensland Theatre Orchestra. During this time he also performed as soloist with the Sinfonia and gave regular recitals.

In 1987 Ljubo moved to Sydney where he joined the music staff at Newington College and became a member of the Henley String Quartet. In 1991/92 he gave solo performances in England , Spain, France, and Switzerland as part of a tour undertaken by Newington College and in 1993 he completed a Graduate Diploma in Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Production of his CD Reverie has lead to a number of invitations to give recitals in and around Sydney and in Santiago, Chile. The CD has been broadcast on several Sydney radio stations.

Currently, Ljubo is the President/Music Director of the Hills District Music Club.

Studio located at Castle Hill in Sydney

Telephone : 9899 5480

Adrian Lewis L.Mus. , B.A. (Hons) , Grad.Dip.Mus.

CELLO TEACHER

Adrian Lewis is a professional cellist who undertakes a wide range of freelance work in Sydney. He performs regularly with orchestras in all sorts of venues ranging from the Opera House to the Super Dome, and with small groups in concerts, functions and receptions.

He has a busy teaching studio in Randwick, in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, to which he invites new students. His teaching practice includes the cello classes at Cranbrook School, The Scots College and Sydney Boys High School.

Adrian has taught young (and not so young) cellists for nearly thirty years. Former students have pursued careers in Europe and America. Many of his students have been members of the Australian Youth Orchestra and the Sydney Youth Orchestra, and of several of Sydney’s community orchestras.

Adrian himself was once a member of the Australian Youth Orchestra, and went on to hold positions with the Sydney Symphony, the West Australian Symphony, and the Sydney and Melbourne Opera Orchestras. He has had a vast experience in all kinds of music: symphonic, operatic, ballet, the recording studio, chamber music and jazz.

He has also worked extensively as a conductor and director of youth orchestras.

Adrian has a deeply informed approach to cello teaching. His pedagogy rests on a continuing study of the cello methods of the 19th and 20th centuries, enriched with a constant practical involvement. He has the utmost respect for these traditions, and considers it a great privilege and responsibility to bring them - in a lively and creative way - to the young cellists of the future.

Studio located at Randwick in Sydney

Telephone : 0418 265 482

Imogen Granwal Dip.Mus. (Perf.) , Grad.Dip.Mus. (Perf.),

Cert. IV (Assessment & Workplace Training )

CELLO & MUSICIANSHIP TEACHER

Imogen Granwal gained a Diploma of Music and a Graduate Diploma of Music in Performance from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, having studied most recently with Lois Simpson.

Since moving to Sydney from New Zealand 12 years ago, she has been involved in the Sydney freelance Music scene, performing solo, in chamber groups and orchestras, and participating in numerous recordings.

Imogen has widespread teaching experience having had a private studio for the past 8 years. She has also taught at Fort Street High School, MacDonald School of the Performing Arts, and is currently teaching at TAFE, Ultimo, within the newly expanding music department and also at Reddam House in Bondi Junction.  Imogen enjoys teaching adults and children, and while believing that lessons should be creative and relaxed, is willing and able to prepare students for AMEB exams.

She has also been involved in world music for the past decade with a passionate commitment to Latin American music. Imogen returned in May 2003, from a 6-month trip spending time in Cuba, (with the assistance of a grant from the Australia Council for the Arts), researching the potential involvement of cello in Cuban New Song Movement.

Studios located at Randwick in Sydney.

Telephone : 9398 7762

Mobile : 0417 692 751

Luda Tees Diploma Cello Teacher / Orchestra Performer

CELLO TEACHER

Luda Tees (aka Reznikov) completed her musical education overseas in Odessa Ukraine (formerly Russia) in 1982 at the Conservatorium of Music at Odessa.

Throughout her career in music she has been engaged in teaching many students and been responsible for their regular performances and co-ordinating their study program.

Since 1993 she has been performing with various Chamber groups as part of a Trio and a String Quartet as well as having been a former member of the East West Orchestra in Sydney.

For some years Luda taught Cello at Waverley College (until 2004) and still teaches at Trinity College in Summer Hill and other schools. Luda is also a former staff member at the Australian Institute of Music, McDonalds Performing Arts College and SCECGS Darlinghurst. Luda offers tuition both on a traditional basis and by use of the Suzuki method. A number of her students have been awarded first prize at various Eisteddfods and have also been granted music scholarships at Private Schools in Sydney.

Luda presently also teaches regularly from studios in the Eastern and Inner West Suburbs of Sydney and also performs regularly with the Aurora String Quartet and the Modern String Quartet. In addition, Luda specialises in tuition for adult students and beginners.

Telephone (02) 9387 4836 & 0412 189 714 for appointment and arrangements.

Clara Blazer B.Mus. (Hons. Syd) , Grad.Dip.Ed. , A.Mus.A. (Cello & Piano)

CELLO TEACHER

Clara Blazer completed a Bachelor of Music at the University of Sydney ( major in piano performance ) and a Graduate Diploma of Education in 1979. Clara also studied cello with Colleen McMeekin and Algimantas Motiekaitis during her undergraduate years. In 1981-82, she studied cello with Jerome Jelinek at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor after being awarded a Graduate Rotary Fellowship.On her return to Australia,as well as working as a freelance cellist , a year was spent with the ABC Training Orchestra. Clara has held teaching positions at The King's School, Ravenswood School for Girls, Waverley College, Emanuel School and Chatswood Yamaha Centre and has conducted and tutored string groups for the Western Youth Orchestra and local primary schools. Presently she runs a busy private studio in Newtown.

In 2004 Clara completed an Honours year at Sydney University ( major in baroque cello performance ), having studied with Tim Blomfield. In the same year she joined the baroque all female vocal ensemble  "The Tall Poppeas". Clara is a founding member of "Suonare", an instrumental ensemble specialising in exploring the baroque cello sonata repertoire.

Beginners welcome. Studio in Newtown. ph: (02) 95162681

Disclaimer : These personal profiles appear as supplied by the individual teachers and have not been edited or varied in any way by the Australian Directory of Music & Speech Teachers. Any views expressed therefore are those of the individuals themselves and the Australian Directory of Music & Speech Teachers disclaims any responsibility for their content.