Vanessa is an experienced viola teacher who is devoted to developing young players and sharing her passion for music with others, in her Hitchin-based teaching studio.
Vanessa’s students have been awarded scholarships to leading conservatoires and universities such as the Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and the University of Oxford. Many of her students enjoy taking part in wonderful organisations such as the National Youth Orchestra (NYO), National Children’s Orchestra (NCO), Aldeburgh Young Musicians (AYM), Britten Sinfonia Academy, Pro Corda and Arpeggione.
Vanessa is coordinator of the British Viola Society Young Violists.
Vanessa studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama Junior Department and was awarded a full scholarship to study at the Purcell School of Music. From there she went on to study at the Royal College of Music in London, where her professor was Roger Best. During her studies she received coaching from many prominent violinists, violists and musicians such as Yehudi Menuhin, Yfrah Neaman, Sydney Griller, Manny Hurwitz, Emanuel Vardi, Simon Fischer, Rodney Friend and Paul Berkowitz.
Vanessa graduated from the RCM with diplomas in both performing and teaching. She then freelanced as a violist in and around London and participated in recordings for television and feature-length film scores, before finding her real love…teaching.