Mark Braithwaite
Teacher of violin & viola, and music theory
Phone 734-934-4925
Email: mtbraithwaite@gmail.com
Studio address: 255 E Liberty St
Suite 279 Ann Arbor MI 48104
ABOUT
I teach individual violin and viola lessons to students of all ages and levels. I also offer music theory lessons, to accompany and assist with instrumental learning.
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Pricing:
1 hour, $80
45 mins, $60
30 mins, $40
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LESSONS & EXPERTISE
My methods draw on my experiences both as a teacher, and of having received extensive tuition over the past 22 years.
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From these, I have distilled two main beliefs:
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Learning and playing an instrument must be comfortable and pleasant! Every student needs to understand how the instrument works, and how the physics of the body can be used to do this with ease, and without strain.
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A teacher can only be a guide: everybody is different, and my job is to help my students engage their own curiosity, personality, and way of understanding what is presented to them. The happiest way to learn is non-competitive (although learning from others is great!), with compassion, patience, and a smile. Learning is most enjoyable when treated as a journey, not a goal.
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So much of teaching is breaking down what seems complicated, and supporting perfectionism, frustrations and doubts! ​Small breakthroughs can mean the World. Practice is essential, but a little can go a long way: it's not about hours or endless repetitions; it's about understanding, self-care, and the courage to keep experimenting.
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TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2021 - present
Private violin and viola lessons
Ann Arbor, MI​
2023 - present
Chamber music coach for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Civic Youth Ensembles (CYE)
2023 & 2024
Faculty member at the ESME String Camp, Grand Rapids
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2013 - 2014
Teacher of music theory at Westminster Under School, London, UK
2011 - 2013
Viola Teacher at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, UK
EDUCATION
2001 - 2005
Bachelor of Music at the Royal College of Music, London, UK
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2008 - 2010
Master programme at the Mozarteum University, Salzburg, Austria
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ACHIEVEMENTS
As a young person, I was fortunate to study with some of the best teachers in the World: from violist Thomas Riebl, to violinist Rainer Schmidt of the Hagen Quartet, Gábor Tákacs-Nagy, András Keller and Simon Rowland-Jones.
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As a professional, my luck has continued! I have played in all the major concert halls in the World, including countless times at Carnegie Hall. Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Sir Simon Rattle and Sir Mark Elder are among the directors I have worked under and Renée Fleming, Joyce diDonato, Nikolaj Znaider and Steven Isserlis are just a few of the solists I have shared a stage with.
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Since moving to the US in 2021, I have worked regularly as a substitute player with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, including under their Chief Conductor, Jader Bignamini.
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When not performing or teaching, I can be found looking after my two little boys (1 and 4), sailing, woodworking, and dancing.
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CONTACT
Phone 734-934-4925
Email: mtbraithwaite@gmail.com
