Auckland
Cello Lessons | Piano Lessons | Aural Lessons, Theory Lessons, Online Lessons
Bio
Karen French was based in London as an orchestral and chamber musician before she returned to New Zealand in 2021. She began playing the cello aged 9 and went on to study with David Chickering while at school and later with Edith Salzmann at the University of Canterbury, graduating with a Bachelor of Music with Honours in 2008.She then moved to Germany to study with Professor Mario De Secondi at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik, Trossingen.
In 2011 Karen was selected to play in Southbank Sinfonia. With Southbank Sinfonia Karen has performed with Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, BBC Concert Orchestra and in the National Theatre performing in Jonathan Miller’s staged version of St. Matthew Passion and at the Royal Opera House. She has also performed in Wigmore Hall, Queen Elizabeth hall and LSO St. Luke’s and other venues around the UK. She has also played with NZSO, Orchestra Wellington and the Christchurch Symphony in New Zealand.
As a chamber musician Karen is a founding member of the Alke Quartet and the Enceladus Ensemble. The Alke Quartet have performed throughout the UK including, Wigmore Hall, St Martin-in-the-Field, St James, Piccadilly, Bath Pump Rooms and the Barbican. The quartet were finalists in the St Martin-in-the-Fields Chamber Competition and the Royal Overseas League Chamber Music Competition. They were participants at International Music Seminar Prussia Cove and were selected for a Banff Winter Residency. They werealso selected for a residency at the Royal College of Music on the Chamber Music Course from 2015-2017, kindly supported by a legacy from the late Albert and Eugenie Frost.
Teaching Info
From an early age I was encouraged to study music, and my love of the cello and piano developed through studying with inspirational and dedicated teachers who were enthusiastic about my potential. This enabled me to further my training and make it my career as a performer and a teacher. Being immersed in music and guided so diligently throughout my studies was a wonderful experience and one that I seek to replicate in my teaching.
I have been teaching regularly from 2011 specialising in cello and piano as well as working with ensembles and chamber music coaching. My students have been of mixed age and development, from beginners through to Diploma standard. Teaching such a variety of young musicians is an exciting challenge that requires a different approach with every student. I feel it is important to create a fun environment for my pupils to learn in. I feel a strong sense of duty towards my pupils, and recognise that I am in a position to shape their musical development. As well as private pupils, I was the cello teacher at St Benedict’s School Ealing in London and worked there for four years.
To date I have had a 100% success rate in my pupils’ ABRSM and Trinity/Guildhall exams, and have tutored students who achieved musical entrance scholarships to schools. I offer a free trial lesson so get in touch today!