What people say...

I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity of working with wonderful individuals and groups who have kindly offered to share their experiences below.

Naomi Lidiard

Classical Singer and amateur violinist,
London, UK

Thank you for your brilliant course, Clare. You're such an inspiring teacher.

I felt really comfortable with my violin again which is a lovely feeling after so many years of tension and stress... Think 'Si Bheag, si mhor' might be my favourite so far...transported to the fells and dales.

Thank you for all your energy and guidance and patience...If you do another course later in the year I'd be interested. In the meantime I'll pass on the details to any violiny relatives and friends!

Nicola Ashton, Musical Director

Strings Incognito

"Strings Incognito were lucky enough to work with Clare Douglas during lockdown for a series of sectional workshops, studying Britten's Simple Symphony. Clare brought an incredible energy, focus and openness to the workshops which created a superb and supportive learning environment for our members. Over the course of the workshops we were able to study the repertoire in depth. Our membership covers a wide range of musical backgrounds and levels of experience. Clare was able to support and coach in a way which meant that everyone made huge progress on their approach to the piece.

As well as tackling the music on the page, Clare brought a brilliantly holistic approach to the workshops. She covered a fantastically broad range of aspects of technique, and musicianship, helping everyone to grow in confidence and take away with them new approaches to both playing and practising. Clare is a generous and inspiring coach and works brilliantly online. I can honestly say that the workshops were a highlight of our lockdown activities for Strings Incognito and would recommend working online with Clare wholeheartedly."

Gabi Lipshen

Manchester, U.K.

What have you done to my husband? He has never done so much practice since I've known him. He's been on and off his violin all day since his last lesson! I think he's really enjoying them so thanks!

Skipton Community Orchestra

Clare was fantastic last week giving our strings section a special rehearsal.

Thank you Clare!

Lee Stott

Violinist, Manchester, U.K.

Lessons with Clare have made a big difference to all aspects of my playing and I couldn't be happier with the progress I have made so far. I always look forward to my lessons as they are not just informative but also fun. I do in person and online lessons that both work very well. For anyone thinking of taking lessons with Clare, the best piece of advice I can give is... follow hers!

Liz Smailes

North Yorkshire, U.K.

It was our 5th and last lesson tonight in this series and I've absolutely loved it! I can’t wait for the next series to start!

Clare understands our classical minds, how to unpick our technique and re-tune it into the folk frequency. All of a sudden an eight bar riff that looks seemingly simple on paper and yet baffled our classical minds in practice, makes sense and sounds ‘folky’.

The lessons were held online, which was a first for me and I wasn’t sure how that would work out, but again Clare made it fun, practical and feel very natural within minutes of the first lesson. If you’re thinking of joining these lessons with Clare, don’t hesitate any longer…you won’t regret it!

Ruth O'Shea

Professional classical violinist, U.K.

I've just caught up on last week's session - loved playing everything back to back! I couldn't quite believe that the tunes had all (just about) stuck in my brain. I am amazed at how much freer I feel in terms of experimenting with bowing, ornamentation, double stops etc. It feels like such a mindful experience just being in the tune and allowing whatever comes out to happen, without judgement, just for the joy of playing. Si Beag Si Mhor was especially moving to play together.

Top things I've learned:

- some gorgeous tunes!

- brilliantly described ways to translate classical ornamentation into the folk idiom (the cut blew my mind!)

- how to experiment with the bow to achieve the feel you want

- how to prepare to join a session (plan to go to the pub with a friend this week...)

Thanks so much for leading us so gently and with such encouragement. I'd definitely be up for another set of sessions.