James

Violin Teacher

Rachel Hedger Flute teacher

Between 2015 – 2019 James was leader of the Countess of Wessex’ String Orchestra and Tri-Service Symphony Orchestra. During his four years as leader and soloist, James performed concertos and solo works by composers such as J.S. Bach, Bartók, Brahms, Mozart, Ravel, Svendsen, Vaughan Williams and Vivaldi, as well as the solos to Scheherazade by Rimsky-Korsakov. Equally a chamber musician, he has performed works by composers such as Beethoven, Brahms, Elgar, Halvorsen, Mozart, Ravel, Schoenberg, Schubert and Schumann. Highlights have included leading the Tri-Service Symphony Orchestra for the 100th international screening of Laura Rossi’s score for the original 1916 silent film “Battle of the Somme”. Inspired by his playing in a project to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme, Rossi wrote, “James Sandalls’ exquisite solo violin playing, in scenes of the wounded soldiers and battered landscape, was incredibly moving and his sensitive and expressive playing brought out the emotion and connected with the images in a much deeper way.” Other highlights include leading the Tri-Service Symphony Orchestra for the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, and for the 100-year anniversary of the “Battle of Passchendaele” in Ypres, Belgium, both of which were broadcast on the BBC. He also led the stage band for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 2018.

James is currently associate principal 2nd Violin in the Nordic Symphony Orchestra, is regularly invited to play guest No. 4 1st Violin with the Magdeburg Philharmonic and is violin soloist with the band of the Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment.

“I believe in teaching strong foundations of violin technique at any level; building confidence through technical development and musical nurturing to create both an enjoyable and rewarding experience. As children are constantly developing it’s paramount that this is considered when teaching such a technical instrument”.  

James received a BMus (Hons) with Distinction in Performance from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama under the tutelage of Lucy Gould and Lesley Hatfield. During his time at the College he led the symphony orchestra, opera orchestra, chamber orchestra and string ensemble. James was also on placement with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, co-led Cardiff Sinfonietta and was a member of the Cheltenham Academy Festival Orchestra.

 

James has an Enhanced DBS Check.

Prices

30 mins

lesson
£23

45 mins

lesson
£29

60 mins

lesson
£35

‘I have had flute lessons for nearly 3 years now and I absolutely love it more everyday. The lessons are really fun because Rachel makes me work hard but makes it really fun and interesting at the same time. Flute was my first instrument and I wasn’t sure how it would go but now I play 3 instruments and have a music scholarship at my school because of Rachel. I practise every night because I love it, no one has to nag me, it is my relaxing time or when I feel fed up…I just play and feel better. I love performing with The Surrey Sound of Music..we all get on well and have so much fun practising and performing makes me really happy. In June we all went to see The Lion King and in November we are going to see Matilda, I can’t wait!! I want to play flute forever.’

Lottie, 11

‘Rachel has been teaching our daughter, Heera, flute from the age of 7. In just over 2 years Rachel has successfully guided Heera through the first 3 grades and Heera is now about to take her Grade 4 exam at the age of 9. Heera always looks forward to her flute lessons with Rachel. She is very encouraging, positive and a great teacher. She makes the lessons fun for Heera while preparing her for the exams. I really recommend Rachel as a music teacher.’ 

Mrs A Seshadri

‘My daughter started having flute lessons with Rachel almost 2 years. Rachel is awesome and the encouragement and patience she has shown over the past two years has never faltered. She is talented and professional at all times. My daughter looks forward to her flute lessons and has progressed extremely well, achieving her Grade 5 music theory and Grade 6 flute exam. Rachel is fun and friendly but at the same time, firm. Rachel challenges my daughter to play music that she is not particularly comfortable with and this has helped her to grow in confidence as a flautist. Rachel is extremely well organised and communicates well both through email and her website. She organises twice yearly concerts for her pupils of all standards to get together and perform both in front of each other, and to their families and friends. I would thoroughly recommend Rachel as a flute teacher.’

Mrs J Walmsley