About
Claire Telford
Born in Aberdeen, Claire Telford began playing the Violin aged eight and in 1995 she accepted a scholarship to study at the Junior Department of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama under Violin Professor Jerre Gibson. Thereafter she completed five years of study under Professors Natalia Boyarsky and Andreiy Viytovych at the Royal College of Music, London, gaining a First Class BMus(Hons) Degree in 2002, and Distinction in PGDip(Solo/Ensemble Recitalist) on both Violin and Viola.
In 2001, Claire was delighted to accept an invitation to join the Violin staff of the Yehudi Menuhin School of Music in London, working with Natalia Boyarsky and Lutsia Ibragimova. In 2009 she was made principal teacher of Violin and Viola.
Since returning to live in Scotland, Claire has held teaching positions at St Mary’s Music School, The University of St Andrews, Craigclowan School and Strathallan School.
Claire has vast experience in working with violinists of all ages. Highlights have been directing the Yehudi Menuhin Junior Orchestra, and several Outreach programmes including the Menuhin “Young Strings” project, and “A Chance to Play” in collaboration with the London Chamber Orchestra, as well as being heavily involved in preparing students for International Violin Competitions, including the Menuhin Competition, Wieniawski Competition and the Postacchini International Competition (first prize).
Claire has performed several Concertos by Mozart, Bruch, Vivaldi and Bach at venues in Aberdeen and throughout Scotland. She has performed for The King and Queen at Buckingham Palace, as well as recitals for the Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle and The Earl and Countess of Wessex and Bagshot Park. She was also invited by the British Ambassador to perform at the British Embassy in Paris. Other performances have taken Claire across Britain, North America, Canada and to Europe as a solo & chamber musician, and as a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, Camerata Scotland, the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and the Banchory Strathspey and Reel Society.
Alongside Claire’s teaching career, she has performed regularly with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden performing works including La Boheme, Rigoletto, Tosca, Der Rosenkavalier, La Rondine, Eugene Onegin, Gianni Schicchi and Madame Butterfly. Claire also performed on EMI’s acclaimed recording of Wagner’s Tristan & Isolde with conductor Antonio Pappano and singers Placido Domingo and Nina Stemme. She also performed with the ROH Chamber Orchestra at the Tuscan Sun Festival with soloists Dimitry Hvorostovsky and Lang Lang as well as working with the English Sinfonia and London Chamber Orchestra.
Recent highlights include collaborating with the stunning Scots Opera Project in recent performances of Dido & Aeneas (Pitlochry Festival Theatre) and The Magic Flute (Perth Festival of the Arts). Also, ‘Scotland Sings Burt Bacharach’ and leading Perth Choral Society.
As a passionate traditional Scottish Fiddle player, Claire has won many traditional fiddle festivals across the North-East and was a Gold Medallist in the 1994 Royal National MOD, and a Silver Medallist at the 1997 Glenfiddich Fiddle Championships.
Claire was privileged to be invited by the National Trust for Scotland to play on their Cultural Cruises, collaborating with the late George Donald on several occasions including cruises to Iceland, Greenland, Russia, The Arctic, Norway, France and Ireland. Claire is a respected adjudicator at Fiddle Festivals across Scotland and gives frequent guest appearances with her husband, Accordionist Wayne Robertson.
Claire released her CD “Ceol Dee” with George Donald and Jakob Fichert on Piano, a CD of both classical and traditional Scottish music.
Specialised Violin lessons
Claire Telford provides various services including violin lessons, performance opportunities, and music career guidance to meet your musical needs
Violin performer
Elevate your event with the exquisite sound of the violin. Claire Telford provides personalized performances tailored to your unique needs. From classical to contemporary, let the music inspire.
Testimonials
Claire Telford is an exceptional violinist and teacher. Her passion for music is contagious, and her guidance has helped me improve my playing tremendously.
I highly recommend Claire Telford to anyone looking for violin or viola lessons. She is patient, knowledgeable, and truly cares about her students' progress.
Testimonials
Contact with Claire
Email:
violin@clairetelford.com