Ruth Howell

I trained as a violinist & violist at the Royal Academy of Music and Trinity College of Music in London. Whilst a student I was principal and sub-principal violist of the Britten-Pears Orchestra and Britten-Pears Baroque Orchestra. I also won scholarships in 1995 and 1997 to attend the Dartington International Summer School to study with internationally renowned violinists and violists.

Since completing my postgraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music I have combined violin and viola teaching with freelance performing work. I have an eclectic mix of performing work fro playing with orchestras such as the National Symphony Orchestra and English Symphony Orchestra to playing in period costume with the English Haydn Festival Orchestra and the Eighteenth Century Concert Orchestra to playing pop music with the theatre Shows "Jive Talkin", "Voulez Vous" and "The Winner Takes All". I have also performed live on television and radio and given recitals on cruise ships!

I have taught violin & viola both privately and in LEA schools for over 12 years.
I am currently teaching for the award winning Sandwell Youth Music and Arts Service as well as privately in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. I am also an accredited Stringbabies teacher which is a new, innovative and exciting programme, developed by leading UK music educationalists, for teaching string instruments to pre-school children.

I have experience of teaching the violin and viola to pupils individually and in small groups. I have even taught whole classes of children, in LEA schools, how to play the violin as part of their Wider Opportunities music experience.
I enjoy teaching young children, generally from the age of three, through to retired adults and from novice level to advanced level. There is the option of taking ABRSM examinations and diplomas if the student so wishes. However, this is an option not a necessity!