Welcome! Josh is a part-time musician and violin teacher based in Exeter, UK.

Services

Violin Teaching

My teaching is with beginners and intermediate violin players of all ages. Before any lessons start, Josh will ask to for us to meet in person. This gives him the chance to hear about your motivations to play violin, and also discover what other interests you have that might be weaved into your learning and gives you the chance to get to know Josh and ask about his style of teaching.

Weddings

Exeter based enquiries only.

This includes two suggested 'sets' of music of 45 minutes each. The cost below covers Josh’s total time both travelling (including fuel costs), playing, and any preparation beforehand.

(Approximate cost of £160)

Performances

Exeter based enquiries only.

Including other private and community events… Cost to be decided between all parties, primarily dependent on size of event and the amount of time required to prepare, with possible donation based income from event attendees thereafter.

Fees:

  • Single Student: £33.60/hour, £16.80/30 mins, £25.20/45 mins.

  • Shared Lessons between two students: £36/hour (£18 each), £18/30 minutes (£9 each), £27/45 minutes (£13.50 each). (Subject to trial period and agreement of all parties involved.)

  • Fees will rise yearly in January with 4 weeks’ notice.

  • Students must purchase their own recommended books and sheet music, and a metronome/tuner.

Duration and Timings:

  • Lessons: 1 hour, 45 mins, or 30 mins, minimum of once every 2 weeks.

Location:

  • Currently in St Leonards off Barrack Road, near the Royal Devon & Exeter hospital.

  • Alternative locations with additional cost and only by agreement.

Payment:

  • Weekly or termly, preferably BACS.

Expectations:

  • Practice: Make it as frequent as possible and make it fun! Write up notes and questions while you’re learning and keep in mind your motivation. If you can do this, you’ll enjoy it more and improve more steadily.

About Josh

“I warmly welcome students of all ages, from beginners to intermediate level, to join me in exploring music and the violin. I studied music at the University of Leeds, receiving a BA (International) in 2014. I achieved grade 8 in violin (Distinction) and piano (Merit) at 18. My formative years were with Heather Clemson (Suzuki method) and Anne Mercier in Dijon, France.

I started teaching privately in 2014 in Dijon and then moved to the lovely city of Exeter in 2016. I have been a member of the European String Teachers Association (ESTA) since late 2022.

I am keen on improving my teaching, and am grateful particularly to my own students who are helping me develop as a teacher, authors such as Paul Harris (author of ‘Simultaneous Learning’), Simon Fischer (‘Basics’), and also local music teachers (Ali Jones, Anna Davis, Herbert Gauthier… the list goes on!) for their time in conversation with me around teaching.

While I primarily teach classical music, I have played and am open to other genres. I have enjoyed playing in various ensembles, such as folk/pop previously with Nahotchan and for cèilidhs, and more recently classical again with Devon Philharmonic Orchestra / local choirs and more recently with a local indie band.

When not teaching, I spend time with my beautiful French wife and our two energetic sons who love bikes and skate parks.”

Testimonials:

Student:

“I am learning to play the violin at a later age. I have been self teaching but after a short period I felt that I needed some guidance, and Josh was recommended to me by another music teacher. Josh is very punctual in time, soft not rigid or dogmatic in his teaching. He listens tentatively to my views, thoughts and my practice of the previous week and we plan for next week practice. In the short time we have together, we practice short pieces together which makes the practice enjoyable. Josh is an experienced musician and I am confident that he is becoming a successful teacher. I am happy to remain under his mentorship for a long time to come.”

Student:

"As an adult in early 40’s I’ve been looking for a violin teacher to help me reconnect with the instrument after 30 years of not playing. I had attended classes as a child for a few years but my experience was often filled with worry. It was therefore important to me to find a tutor who will have kind, gentle and reassuring manner.

Josh is positively charged person with approach tailored to my personality and listens to all my questions with patience and interest. The lessons are presenting just the right amount of challenge but are not overwhelming, plus attending lessons every week helps to keep me motivated with aspiration to improve. I feel I’m making progress in just few months since I’ve started and I love playing violin every day at home!

Josh also very kindly accompanied me to local luthier and supported me through out the selection of my instrument which I was so grateful for. I feel at ease in our lessons and I look forward to every week’s lesson time with Josh."

Get in Touch

If you are interested in my teaching and/or performing, please provide your details below. I look forward to connecting with you and exploring new musical horizons together!