Testimonials
Peter Pople
Distinguished violinist & chamber musician
Royal Academy of Music Professor
Trinity Laban Professor
“I have been a musician and teacher for more than 40 years, including 12 years as chamber music coach at the Royal Academy of Music and 5 years to date as Professor of chamber music at Trinity College of Music. I have known Karin as a top flight violinist in London for more than a decade, and in recent years worked with her in the Alberni Quartet.
Karin's talent and ability as performer are beyond question and her knowledge of violin playing derives from all the best traditions and teaching methods. More importantly, she is a musician deeply committed to the artistry and communication skills required of a solo and chamber musician. In our work with the Alberni Quartet, teaching groups at many different levels, she has shown a perfect temperament needed in teaching. She is patient yet demanding, considerate of others' weaknesses but rigorous about her own high standards.”
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LGSM, FRSAMD, Hon.ARAM
David Smith
Professor of Cello and Chamber Music Studies
Royal Academy of Music
Chethams School of Music
“Karin Leishman has been known to me for a number of years through her outstanding playing and coaching.
Her chamber music coaching has been of the very highest standard, producing a significant improvement in groups with students of all ages and standards. This has been at a number of educational establishments, including courses affiliated to Cambridge University.
I know of no reason why she would not be ideally suited to teach students in the required age range.”
Wells Cathedral School Specialist Student and Parent testimony extracts:
“The biggest part of my education was without a doubt my private lessons with Karin Leishman. I looked forward to them every single week, and it was not only my own determination to improve, but also respect for my teacher that pushed me to make every lesson better than the last. Having grown up working strictly on foundational skills, Ms. Leishman helped me take the first step to becoming a more musically and characteristically aware artist by provoking me to think about colours, phrasing and tone. It was a huge turning point that made me realise what it meant to be a musician and not just a violinist.”
“I have almost entirely Ms. Leishman and Mr. Souter to thank for everything that made Wells so special to me and it is very important to me to express this as their support affected not only my life during those two years, but still does having moved on from school. I could not have been better prepared for music college and I have been comfortable in all of my performance exams, technical assessments and concerts.”
“I have never improved as quickly in my studies as I did in those two years, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the help of my teacher Ms. Leishman and the support of the head of department Mr. Souter”.
— Gwyneth Nelmes; Former Wells Cathedral School Specialist student, Graduate of Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London and now professional violinist.
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“Hatty's prize winning quartet has had some great coaching - but she still says the best coaching she ever had was with you and Karin!!
Parent of 4th year student Royal Academy of Music & former Wells Cathedral School Specialist student
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“I was so happy to hear that Karin is so much better now. Having had her as my teacher for two years, I am glad she is back teaching! She has always been so caring and dedicated to her class, I remember having 8:30 violin classes every other week for us to play our pieces to each other and she would always come in early and make sure everyone got the most out of it. Back then I would sometimes still be tired or nervous to play my work-in-progress to the others, but now I can really recognize how special and rare it is to have a teacher giving everyone opportunities to perform as often as possible.
I often think back to my violin lessons with her. She was inspiring me every time to listen a little closer and really get the feeling behind the music. And she always found such creative ways to make me understand the music a little better or to get a whole new perspective on it.
I never really did much technical work before I joined Wells, so it could have been very intimidating suddenly having to practice all these scales, but she was so patient with me, and today I still use a lot of the exercises she gave me. I really am thankful for the impact she has had on me and my development on playing the violin and feel honored to have been one of her students!”
— Laura Hampe; Professional violinist and former Wells Cathedral School Specialist student
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‘My daughter already has her International Baccalaureate and all the qualifications she requires - the only reason she wants to come to Wells Cathedral School is to study specialist violin with you.’
— Parent of international Wells Cathedral School Specialist student
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“Abbie waxes positively lyrical about her violin lessons and, for the first time since she went to Wells, really looks forward to them…….. It is wonderful to see her enthusiasm for the violin rekindled.”
— Parent of Wells Cathedral School Specialist student
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“I can't quite believe this is our last lesson! I remember our first Lesson which was in the Yfrah Neaman room, which seems so long ago. I also remember being so pleased I got you as a teacher rather than any of the others, who all seemed a bit scary! You've been such a brilliant teacher for me, always pushing and encouraging me to go further with the violin (and often work harder!). You've also been incredibly considerate and frankly, very patient with all my work commitments this year. But one of the things I've enjoyed most from our lessons is playing with and listening to you play. As a violinist you have been so inspirational to me, and I think you have really affected the style I play in. So THANK YOU for all your time and knowledge! It's been a great two years and I know for sure that learning with you is going to be one of the things I'll really miss about Wells. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!”
— CR; Former Wells Cathedral School Specialist student
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“I will look back on the last two years as some of the best in my life. When it comes to violin playing, I know that thanks to you, and the amazing experiences I have had, I have improved immensely. I have enjoyed it so much, and I will continue to work in the coming years, using Wells as my springboard! You have been more than a teacher to me though; you have been a good friend, and I really hope that we can stay in touch for a very long time. I will really miss you and your whole family.”
— SS; Former Wells Cathedral School student
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Thank you so much for your coaching and guidance in chamber music. Your playing and musical ideas have been such an inspiration to me and have really helped me to lift the music from the page!
— HH; Former Wells Cathedral School Specialist student