MELISSA WHITEHEAD PGDip BMus (Hons)
Violin & Fiddle Teacher
Newcastle upon Tyne
About Melissa
I began violin lessons through my school's music service when I was 8 years old. I initially learned classical violin and this continued throughout my school years but growing up in the Highlands I was always exposed to Scottish traditional music and eventually began performing both nationally and internationally with my school music group 'Gizzen Briggs'.
Aged 17 I moved to England to study for a BMus (Hons) Folk & Traditional Music degree at Newcastle University. During my undergraduate degree I specialised in Scottish traditional music, gaining a first in performance however whilst I love performing I've always known from a young age that I really wanted to work as a violin and fiddle teacher. Determined to learn as much as I possibly could about instrumental teaching I began studying for a PGDip in Instrumental Teaching (The Teaching Musician) at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and was awarded a Distinction in 2017.
Since graduating from Newcastle University I have been working as a professional violin, fiddle and music theory teacher in Newcastle Upon Tyne. In addition to my private teaching, I currently work as a peripatetic strings tutor at a school in Northumberland and a fiddle tutor or the North East Fiddle School, teaching style and technique to adult classes. I have been a frequent guest/deputy tutor at the Tyneside Fiddle Alliance since 2015 and I have also previously taught a children's ceilidh band at Bellingham Middle School.
When I'm not teaching I currently perform with virtuoso guitarist Andy Watt at concert halls, arts centres and festivals. As a duo we are available for weddings and private functions and can expand to a full 3 or 4 piece ceilidh band where necessary. I've also performed at the Sage Gateshead's Fiddles on Fire festival alongside some of the foremost exponents of modern fiddle music.
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I am a member of the Musicians' Union, hold an enhanced DBS certificate and have a Level 1 qualification in the safeguarding of young people.