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.”